Tony Pulis’ West Brom may be undergoing somewhat of an identity crisis this season, but are reaping the rewards for it.

The Hawthorns side, since their tracksuit-clad manager’s arrival, have notoriously been difficult to beat but it would be generous to describe their own philosophy as free-flowing.

But not this season. 17 goals in their opening 13 games have included 10 in six at home, and a 4-2 home win over West Ham in September since bettered by a 4-0 battering of Burnley in the Midlands a fortnight ago.

Nacer Chadli, when fit, and Matty Phillips have been instrumental to the improvement the squad has seen as much in its performance as its results; once a stickler for clean sheets, this season West Brom have shipped only three fewer than both Stoke City and Bournemouth.

Whatever has changed at The Hawthorns, it has come against the odds; there were passive-aggressive exchanges between chairman Jeremy Peace and Pulis in the summer, with the manager reportedly unhappy over the quality of signings made.

But so far, it’s working. Good news for the Hornets comes in the fact that West Brom’s new-found porousness has largely been an issue at home, and after last weekend’s blank against Stoke, Watford will be on the look-out for goals.

April’s win for a then-Quique Sanchez Flores side was the first they have achieved against the Baggies in some 15 attempts, and saw Heurelho Gomes make a Premier League first in saving two penalties in a game for the second time in his top-flight career.

The news Isaac Success could be back among the attacking threat in the West Midlands will also be welcomed by Walter Mazzarri, with the Nigerian a real threat against physical defences; and West Brom’s is certainly that.

Solomon Rondon, a slow starter in England since his arrival at West Brom last year does need looking out for at the other end, and despite picking up only four goals so far this campaign, is always a threat.