Statistics suggest West Brom improving in each game under James Shan

There were goals galore under Darren Moore, but several games where individual moments of brilliance rescued the side.

Even in James Shan’s opening two games, the Baggies weren’t in command, particularly at home to Swansea when the 3-0 scoreline flattered them.

But there were signs against Birmingham City last Friday that things may begin to be improving.

Football statisticians Infogol use expected goals (xG) to analyse results and predict forthcoming matches.

Before Friday's match, they claimed the Baggies would be in sixth place rather than fourth, if games had finished as expected.

That is by no means a big discrepancy in Infogol's expected table.

By their model, Derby County should be 19th rather than sixth, Nottingham Forest should be 20th rather than ninth. Wigan Athletic, who are currently 20th, should be ninth.

But it will strike a chord with supporters who have struggled to be convinced by the Baggies’ overall play this season.

Albion won Shan's first two games but they had a lower xG than their opponents on both occasions. It was 1.9 against Swansea's 2.7 and 0.81 against Brentford's 0.99.

But on Friday, they deserved their victory over Blues, recording an xG of 2.28 to 0.86.