Albion could end away day blues at Southampton

On the face of it, the lack of points and goals away from the Amex are causes for concern.

Yet dig a little beneath the surface and you find reasons why they could just be celebrating a draw, or even a victory, on the return journey from Southampton.

Four straight defeats on the road, accompanied by a scoring drought spanning five hours and 20 minutes, are grim statistics.

The counter-balance is the severity of the opposition. The period covers two trips to Anfield, another to the Etihad.

Southampton are no Liverpool or Manchester City. Even Watford, widely regarded as relegation candidates before a ball had been picked, have given kinder perspective to Albion's dismal display in defeat on the opening day at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets are sitting alongside Liverpool and Chelsea at the Premier League summit with a 100 per cent start after coming from behind to topple Tottenham.

Albion have generally been considerably more competitive away from home against the likes of Southampton.

They drew 1-1 at St Mary's in January, when a soft equaliser by Jack Stephens cancelled out Glenn Murray's early penalty (below).

That useful point was followed by a another 1-1 stalemate at Stoke, a 2-0 defeat at Everton and 3-2 at Palace (from 2-0 down in 14 minutes).

The last away point and clean sheet came afterwards against Burnley at Turf Moor at the end of April.

You have to go back a lot further for the last away win, at Swansea in November.

The way Chris Hughton's team performed in the last away game at Anfield, pushing for an equaliser in the final quarter of the contest, offers hope that better times could be around the corner for the fans folowing them from Southampton to Newcastle.

Particularly with a deeper squad providing Hughton with better options from the bench, more intent and intensity this season out of possession and a more charitable sequence of fixtures (Manchester City apart).

Keeper Mathew Ryan sees the trip along the south coast on Monday night as an opportunity to lay down a marker.

The Australian said: "We go into every game looking to get something. It's not going to be any different in that respect.

"We had a positive performance in our last away game at Liverpool. After the disappointment of Fulham (2-2 at home) we will be going out there to make a statement.

"We got a draw there last time and we conceded a soft goal again. I am full of confidence we can go there and get something."

That reference to a soft goal has been part of the problem. Too many of those Albion have been conceding on the road suit the description.

Anfield was a good example. Mo Salah's decisive strike in the first half (above) was not the product of a breathtaking move but Yves Bissouma losing possession to James Milner midway inside his own territory after Leon Balogun tried to play out from the back.

Ryan said: "It was a similar performance probably to (Manchester) United away last year, but at the end of the day we didn't get anything from it.

"It's all about moments in games. You can be good for 91 minutes, but if you are not for 92 or 93 that's enough to get nothing.

"We've had positive performances, but we need to sustain that for longer periods, maintain that high level throughout the whole match.

"I'm sure if we can do that we are going to be getting more points."

The clash against Southampton feels that bit more important because of what comes after, Spurs at home and Man City away.

Watford felt that way too ahead of United and Liverpool, until Jose Mourinho's side came unstuck at the Amex again.

Ryan said: "For me I just take one game at a time. Who ever we are playing against that's the next focus.

"We have showed last season and this season that, who ever we are facing, if we are playing to our level we've got a chance.

"That's the benchmark for us, the challenge to live up to."

A challenge which if met at St Mary's will make the journey home for Albion's travelling army of fans much more enjoyable.