Boss concerned with performances not position

Albion boss Tony Mowbray has urged his players to focus on maintaining their winning streak of performances instead of their league position as his team face on their toughest tests this season. The Baggies have not beaten Stoke on their on soil in 25 years and can expect to face an uncompromising Stoke team sitting only four points behind the leaders.

"The players know what to expect," said Mowbray.

"We've played Stoke already this year.

"There is no right way, or wrong way, to play football and its whatever works for you.

"Stoke are having a fantastic season and I see their manager is talking about strengthening in the window so he's obviously got ambitions and aspirations to get out of this league.

"It will be a huge test for us."

Saturday's game against Stoke (KO 3pm) will mark the halfway stage of the season with the Baggies boss urging his men to take inspiration from the 3-0 victory away at Watford earlier in the season.

"We played against Watford, a team who have a similar type of philosophy, and came out on top," Mowbray continued.

"That's the challenge ahead for us - it's a huge challenge.

"We will have to do certain things well to make sure we stay in the game."