More away goals can aid Albion's improvement in the Premier League

There are not that many, considering how well they have adapted and performed in their debut campaign.

One stands out, the worst scoring record away from home of any side.

They will be hard pressed to increase the tally of nine in 17 games at Manchester City tomorrow night and Liverpool on Sunday.

That is one fewer from one game fewer than West Brom, two behind Huddersfield and Swansea - who have already completed their away programme.

It is also four adrift of relegated Stoke, the only team with fewer points away from home.

Manager Chris Hughton (above) told The Argus: "It's so difficult. When you are a team that has just got promoted it's so hard to have both.

"It doesn't happen often. You have got to make sure you are hard to beat. Could we score more goals? Yes, but we could also let in a lot more.

"For a newly promoted team it's very difficult to get the balance. Generally it's the quality that gets you goals."

Newcastle, the other promoted team, have scored 18 goals on their travels. They have also conceded seven more than Albion (29 to 22).

The Seagulls' defensive record away from the Amex is easily the best of those in the bottom half of the table, in fact among the best in the division.

Burnley, guaranteed seventh place and Europa League qualification next season, have let in the same number of goals after their thrashing by Arsenal.

Liverpool have leaked six more than Albion, Tottenham only two fewer, Chelsea and Manchester United three.

Hurting hosts has been the problem, not halting them.

Five of top scorer Glenn Murray's 12 goals have come away, two at West Ham (one a penalty), the winner at Swansea, another penalty at Southampton and one at Crystal Palace.

Jose Izquierdo has struck stylishly three times, at West Ham, Stoke and Palace.

The only other away scorer is Solly March, early on in the season at Bournemouth (below). All seven of Pascal Gross's goals have come at the Amex.

Murray said: "I wouldn't say we lack threat. I think we maybe take the wrong options at times.

"When we are 20 yards out we can commit people forward and then throw two, three, four people into the box.

"But what then happens on the break? It's a delicate balance when you are away from home, not to leave the back door open."

Burnley have found the answer in their second season back in the Premier League. The improvement in their away form compared to last season following promotion has been staggering.

Seven more goals (20 to 13) and 13 fewer conceded (22 to 35) has catapulted their away haul from one win and only seven points to seven victories and 28 points.

Hughton and Sean Dyche see parallels between the Burnley side of 2016-17 and Albion this season.

Burnley boss Dyche told The Argus: "Chris felt there were similarities in the team then, the work ethic that underpins it and good players as well.

"They have showed that again this season. They've needed moments of quality, they've found it, and they have also had their solid and really hard look about them at times.

"They are willing to work, do the little bits that count in a season. Great credit to them, it's really, really not easy."

Can Albion kick-on in their season like Burnley? Dyche (above) believes the experience gained over the past nine months will be of great benefit.

"I've used it for a while now, the term assured," Dyche said. "That happens with players in their careers as they move forward, they adapt. Every time you go into the Premier League it's really enormous and all of it becomes a bit more normal.

"A lot more scrutiny, a lot more media, a lot more attention every day. Little things, tickets for games, family want this, family want that. It takes a bit to get used to it.

"I think some of it is that players grow and mature, get more flexible and if you can work through that and still keep performing, our players have moved forward. It's not just what you see out there (on the pitch), there's a lot more to it than that."

Lowest Away Goalscorers

Albion 9 in 17

WBA 10 in 18

Swansea 11 in 19

Huddersfield 11 in 18

Stoke 13 in 18