Burnley v West Brom: Clarets start a run for Albion as they sit in last-chance saloon

Earlier this week Sam Allardyce said anything is possible in football as he looks to inspire the Baggies to a great escape.

But if his side don’t get a significant points haul from their next four games – which all come against teams struggling at the wrong end of the table – then the game will surely be up.

It all starts with a trip to Turf Moor tomorrow where the Baggies will take on a Burnley side who have actually defended well this term despite their lowly position in the Premier League table.

Fixtures against fellow strugglers Brighton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace then follow.

And one would say – as an absolute minimum – Albion have to take at least eight points from those games to hold any faint hope of still being in the Premier League next year.

The good news is, following an impressive display against Manchester United last weekend, the Baggies do enter this crunch run with a bit of hope.

Prior to the visit of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side, Allardyce admitted he didn’t know his best team or system.

But he finally seemed to find the right formula against United, with his team’s performance comfortably the best of his Albion reign so far.

Allardyce opted for a 4-3-3 system that saw Okay Yokuslu, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Conor Gallagher start in midfield. And together the three of them showed an impressive blend of qualities.

Yokuslu looked to be the holding midfielder Albion fans have been crying out for all season.

Not only did he screen the back four well, he also looked tidy in the ball.

Maitlaind-Niles also helped protect the defence but also broke lines and got forward in a real box-to-box display, while Gallagher showed his outstanding energy to get about the pitch and influence the game at both ends.

Going forward, Albion looked a threat. Robert Snodgrass was bright on the right wing with his nous, experience and quality now integral to this side.

Allardyce will be praying the former Scotland international can shake off a bruised knee to start tomorrow.

On the left, Matheus Pereira had to play out of the position but was still able to show flashes of his undoubted quality.

And up front, Mbaye Diagne put in a sensational display that saw him score and completely bully Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

In truth, the Senegal international should have come away with two or even three goals. And if he had, Albion would have won the game.

But to see a powerful striker lead the line and look a genuine threat was hugely uplifting – both for Baggies fans and for Diagne’s team-mates as well.

At his pre-match press conference yesterday, Allardyce said Albion’s chances of success will be much greater if he can stick to the same team and system most weeks. Of course, injuries and suspensions mean that isn’t always possible.

And the boss does have some headaches heading into tomorrow’s game.

As mentioned, Snodgrass didn’t train yesterday due to a bruised knee.

He will now be given as long as possible to prove his fitness.

The boss may also make a change at right-back with Lee Peltier forced off at half-time against United with a knock.

Darnell Furlong impressed from the bench against the Red Devils though. And he is also more attacking, meaning he could get the nod here with Allardyce fully aware Albion have to go to Turf Moor to win.

Another boost for Albion is that Grady Diangana is back in contention having struggled with a groin strain in recent week. But Kieran Gibbs will not be in the squad after he picked up a shoulder injury.

“Lee Peltier might have a chance,” Allardyce said. “Robert Snodgrass has a massive bruise behind his knee. He hasn’t joined in training today (Thursday) but we’ll see how he is tomorrow.

“Grady is back in the squad.

“It’s only Kieran Gibbs who has a very bad neck and shoulder problem. He’s out.”