Davy Propper believes Albion could go with three centre-backs again.

Chris Hughton sprung a surprise by employing a wing-back system in a bid to match-up Chelsea.

But a big hole was blown in that masterplan when the visitors established the earliest 2-0 lead enjoyed by any Premier League side this season.

Propper can see advantages in the system and not just because of what it means in defence.

But he admitted: “After five minutes it was 2-0 so the beginning was not good.

“I think we can play like this, with two faster strikers who run behind the defence. We can get some chances.

“We did it (in training) sometimes but not most of the times we played a different shape. I think this one can help us to get some good defence.

“It can give us some control of the game at the back because normally you have one man over in defence.”

Hughton employed the system as a way of combatting Chelsea wing-backs Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses, who caused problems at Stamford Bridge.

Further forward, the formation offers less opportunity for genuine wingers and gives more scope for attacking players to work centrally.

Propper can see that suiting fellow countryman Jurgen Locadia, who watched the game after signing on Friday.

The midfielder, who hit the post with a second-half header, added: “Normally he plays left side a little but he comes in a lot to get beyond the striker.

“At the moment he has been playing as a striker.”