'Difficult' - Southampton boss Russell Martin makes West Brom claim

Southampton manager Russell Martin has waxed lyrical about West Brom and Carlos Corberan ahead of their Championship match at The Hawthorn's.

The Saints come in to town on Friday night as they look to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Bristol City. Southampton had been on a 25-game unbeaten run in all competitions but that was brought to crushing end in the West Country on Tuesday.

Southampton are on the search for a reaction but face a tough test in West Brom who were victorious against Cardiff City on Tuesday night. The Baggies are unbeaten in their last six home league matches and have lost just twice in front of their home supporters in the Championship this term.

"Every away game is a tough challenge in this league and they are great at home, they have only lost four games since Carlos Corberan has been in charge," said Martin to the Daily Echo.

"He is a very good coach and I have a lot of respect for him. They are a good team full of men, physical and powerful. They are well organised and will make it difficult.

"We have to be the team we want to be and we have a chance to show we are together. I am excited about what the guys can put on the pitch and it's a brilliant game for us to make sure we bounce back."

Earlier on in the season, Southampton won 2-1 at St Mary's. Adam Armstrong scored the winning goal in the 79th minute after Kyle Bartley had cancelled out Will Smallbone's effort. West Brom's record against Southampton isn't the greatest and they have lost five of their last six league games against them. Their last win against Southampton came in a 3-1 home victory back in April 2021.

Southampton and West Brom haven't played each other at The Hawthorn's in the Championship since April 2008 and a good omen is that West Brom are unbeaten in their last 11 league home games.