West Brom new-boys earn a word of praise from Sam Allardyce

After impressive displays against both Manchester United and Burnley, the Baggies secured a crucial win over Brighton on Saturday.

Despite the boss arriving back in December, it has only been in those last three games that Albion have truly looked like an Allardyce side.

And the 66-year-old says that is in no small part down to new recruits Okay Yokuslu, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Robert Snodgrass and Mbaye Diagne.

But he also says it’s down to getting more time on the training ground with the Baggies having had a relentless run of fixtures when Allardyce first arrived.

“I have to give credit to the four players that have invigorated the team,” the boss said when asked if he feels if Albion are now a team in his mould

“Robert, Mbaye, Okay and Ainsley have been fantastic.

“The rest of the players have seen their quality, their energy and their ability and they have all had a lift from that. They have lifted their games.

“We have also been able to practise on the training ground more. We have had more time and I think everyone can see the benefit of that.

“Hopefully, we can improve even more.”

Meanwhile, Dara O’Shea admitted he was thrilled to keep a clean sheet after being restored to Albion’s starting line-up for the Brighton game.

The Republic of Ireland international lined-up alongside Kyle Bartley at the heart of the defence with Semi Ajayi suspended.

“It was great to be a part of a performance like that,” he said.

“We all dug deep, put our hard hats on and defended.

“It’s great as a defender to get another clean sheet. It’s what you want as a defender, to be picking up clean sheets.

“It’s great for the team as well. It’s great for our mentality and our belief, knowing we can put back-to-back clean sheets together.

“We want to kick on now and take this positivity into our games against Everton and Newcastle because we know we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Referee Lee Mason was at the centre of controversy during Albion’s win over Brighton with the official disallowing, then allowing, and then disallowing again a quick free-kick scored by Lewis Dunk.

He has since withdrawn from his duties for Liverpool’s clash against Sheffield United on Sunday after picking a muscle injuryduring the game at The Hawthorns.