West Brom shouldn’t rule out play-off push in tightly packed Championship table
It sounds ridiculous, but West Brom should by no means rule themselves out of a Championship promotion push after their recent upturn in form.
Three points against Sunderland on Monday (12 December) was the first time in three years that the Baggies had won four consecutive matches in league football, and subsequently propelled them out of the relegation zone.
Following this hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light, Carlos Corberan’s side now occupy 17th spot, but remarkably sits just eight points off the playoff spots.
Admittedly the automatic play-off spots are likely out of reach following the dire start to the season the Baggies had, with Sheffield United and Burnley flexing their muscles at the top of the Championship table and now 15 points clear of the west midlands side.
But in an extremely crowded and competitive league, a run such as the one West Brom find themselves on can change a season in an instant.
Take Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest side, for example.
When the ex-Swansea boss arrived at the City Ground, Forest had suffered their worst start to a league campaign in 107 years but, within eight months, they had transformed themselves from a relegation-destined side to a promotion outfit.
Even use Dean Smith’s 2019 Aston Villa side for inspiration.
Following the sacking of Steve Bruce, Smith managed to guide his side to a 10-match winning run and eventually force their way into the Premier League via the playoffs.
Yes, West Brom fans shouldn’t get overly excited about a certain playoff push, but history does show that promoted sides can come from the most unlikely of places.
Corberan’s next three games (Rotherham, Coventry, and Bristol City) all come against sides in the bottom half of the table, so they represent a real opportunity to claim at least six points from.
If the Baggies can remain competitive over a hectic festive period, fans should not rule out a competitive run at clinching a playoff place at the end of the season.
In other West Brom news, Daryl Dike sends a one-word message to fans after netting winner against Sunderland.