Eric Ramsay can’t risk falling into West Brom trap for Norwich City FA Cup clash
Most West Brom supporters probably won’t be coming down with FA Cup fever this weekend.
West Brom take a break from Championship action on Saturday, as they travel to Carrow Road to take on fellow second tier rivals Norwich in the fourth round.
Albion were able to escape from St Andrew’s with a point on Tuesday night, which was enough to move the Baggies up to 19th and two points above the relegation zone.
However, it also meant that the wait for Eric Ramsay‘s first win as West Brom head coach goes on, as he’s drawn three and lost three from his first six games in charge.
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Eric Ramsay must view FA Cup as perfect winning opportunity
Given their Championship predicament, the league has to take priority over anything else at this moment in time.
That’s not up for debate, as relegation to League One would be utterly disastrous for West Brom, who have never played in that division since the EFL’s rebranding in 2004, and have only ever spent two years (1991-1993) at that level.
So, why shouldn’t Ramsay put anything more than a fully rotated team out against Norwich this Saturday?
Well, it can’t be understated just how much one win, no matter where or how it arrives, can change the mood, belief and trajectory of a season.
And, despite the fact that Norwich are one of the in-form teams in the Championship at this moment in time, Canaries boss Philippe Clement is likely to rotate his side given he’s contending with a host of injuries.
Therefore, if Ramsay fields a full-strength starting lineup at Carrow Road, Albion could be primed to take full advantage of that.
But even if Clement deploys a strong side, Ramsay still should be looking at this game as an ideal opportunity to claim his first win.
A victory in the FA Cup could see them translate that form and carry that winning feeling into the Championship, and instil belief in these players that they can perform and win together.
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West Brom feel-good factor could come at vital time too
Looking at West Brom’s next few Championship fixtures only serves to underline further just how important getting that winning feeling back around the place could be.
Albion’s next game after Norwich will see them welcome Coventry to The Hawthorns on 21 February, with Frank Lampard’s men looking every bit of a wounded animal having let their lead at the top of the table slip.
But it’s the following three games after that which could define Albion’s season, as they play Charlton, Oxford and Sheffield United, all of whom are scrapping for their lives down at the bottom.
So, a win over Norwich in the FA Cup would provide an injection of confidence into the team, and that would be coming at the most precious time of their season too.