The opening third of the Premier League season is compartmentalized by the international breaks.
Albion's first four matches yielded four points, a satisfactory return considering two of them were against Manchester United and Liverpool.
The limp defeat at Watford on day one also looks less damaging following the Hornets' flying start.
Now another four points should be the target from the next four matches before the next international interruption.
That again would be par for the course for games away to Southampton and Manchester City, combined with visits by Spurs and West Ham.
The Southampton and West Ham fixtures are the likeliest to meet the target, although Albion are always competitive at the Amex and held Tottenham to a draw there last season (above).
The champions at the Etihad? Let's just agree to write that one off without too much damage to the goal difference.
A point per game secures safety, with a little leeway.
If Albion have eight points from as many matches, half of them against last season's top four, that will be a firm foundation to build on.
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