Demba Ba Brace Earns West Ham a Point Against West Brom

West Ham United’s transfer signings may well save its season.

Two weeks ago at Bloomfield Road, the spirited play and debut goal of Robbie Keane helped West Ham secure a 3-1 victory over Blackpool away from home.

Today, Senegalese striker Demba Ba led a second-half West Ham comeback with a brace at The Hawthorns. They were his first two goals in the Premier League.

West Ham found itself down 2-0 after barely eight minutes thanks to goals from West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans and winger Jerome Thomas.

A 32nd minute own goal from Hammers center back Winston Reid put the side down 3-0 going into the half.

The Irons showed a second half resilience and spirit that has been intermittently present its 2010-11 campaign. Though the team was lively and energetic at Bloomfield Road in its trumping of Blackpool, West Ham was flat and dull at home against Birmingham last week.

The emergence of Demba Ba as a key figure in West Ham’s offense made all the difference. The 25-year-old Senegalese international scored his first goal in the 50th minute and his second in the 83rd. Between these strikes was a Carlton Cole header.

Transfer loan signing Wayne Bridge also proved integral in the comeback. His assistance in orchestrating attacks and placing crosses for the team’s strikers was key.

Were it not for Reid’s unfortunate blunder, West Ham would have taken a full three points away from home. As it stands, the team has moved out of last place to second bottom on account of Wolves’ loss to Arsenal.

West Bromwich Albion entered the match on the heels of former Liverpool and Fulham gaffer Roy Hodgson's appointment as Roberto Di Matteo’s replacement.

Despite successfully bringing the team from the Championship to the EPL last season, Di Matteo struggled to find consistency with form with the squad this season. The team has lost 13 of its last 19 matches.

Perhaps unwisely, the Baggies did not field Mexican winger Carlos Vela, on loan from Arsenal. Vela is a quick, spirited, creative player with a multifaceted attacking skill set. He spent the entire game on the bench.

The addition of Keane and Ba to West Ham’s line up during the January 2010-11 transfer window has increased the depth and strength of the side’s offense. Since these acquisitions, Grant has been fielding three strikers. He has Obinna, Piquionne, Keane, Ba and Cole to choose from.

Despite a dismal debut, Bridge has been instrumental in feeding the ball to this strike force. German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, meanwhile, is nearly recovered from an injury that has kept him sidelined for the entire season. He played 60 minutes of a reserve match last week and the led the team to a resounding victory.

The pairing of Keane and Ba may prove to be inspired. Ba is a young, raw talent without EPL experience. While Ba proved today that he is more than capable of performing at the top level, he possesses tremendous potential that has yet to be unlocked.

Under the tutelage of Keane, the 11th highest scorer of the Premier League era, Ba will have the opportunity to learn from a talented, creative, and seasoned veteran while developing to his full potential.

Unfortunately, if history tells us anything, it’s that if Ba does indeed reach his full potential, he’ll be off to Chelsea or United before you can say Carlos Tevez or Frank Lampard.

In their match against West Brom today, West Ham showed surprising resilience. If the side can maintain this spirit while developing the talents of Ba and playing full attacking football with three strikers up front, it may just have what it takes to avoid relegation.