NEAL MAUPAY says Albion’s formation unpredictability during matches makes it difficult for opponents to know how they are going to set up.

Head coach Graham Potter has been known to tinker with his formation during the season – and even during games.

This was evident again on Saturday in the 2-1 defeat to Villa, with Albion starting with the 4-2-2-2 formation that brought them so much joy in the 3-0 win against Tottenham at the Amex prior to the international break.

They converted to what looked like a 5-2-2 during the second half when they were down to ten men with Shane Duffy on for Martin Montoya at centre-half, Adam Webster at right wing-back and Solly March playing left wing-back.

When Steven Alzate came on, Albion made another switch in formation to a 4-2-3 with Webster and Dan Burn playing as full-backs, March going further forward in a false nine role and Alzate out on the left wing.

You would think the constant changes to formation would be hard to adapt to for Albion’s players but Maupay says it is tougher for whoever they are up against.

He said: “For us it is not a problem. It is good because the manager likes to change the system, even after half-an-hour if we do not play well.

“Sometimes we play with one striker, sometimes with two so that must be hard for the opposition to know what we are going to be like on the weekend.

“I played with Glenn (Murray) one game, then I played with Aaron (Connolly).

“We are all different players, it gives us more opportunities and for the other team it is harder to defend against different players.”

Late goals and red cards have cost Albion points this season, notably against Burnley and Southampton respectively before the chance of a win at Villa was thrown away on Saturday.

Albion may have found themselves five points better off, with 15 points on the board and as high as sixth in the table.

Instead they have nine points and sit in 16th place, just a point above the bottom three.

But Maupay says Albion are not focusing on their league position.

He said: “To be honest, we don’t really look at the table because as a team we just want to improve every game and in training sessions.

“We only focus on that. We work really hard every day to know exactly what the manager wants us to do and how we can become better as a team.

“Of course we need to win games and have some points on the board but for the moment it is just about how we can be a good team.”