[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

On our biggest winning streak for three years, and with five points separating us from both relegation zone and playoffs, Albion go into this Christmas happier than we've been for a long time. Already there's talk of momentum taking us all the way up, and it's certainly happened to teams in this division before. But if that's our aim, then the four festive matches coming up will be a crucial test: January could find us on hard on the heels of the promotion chase, or floundering near the bottom again.

Wednesday night's trip to Coventry gets us underway, and with three wins from our last four on the road - equalling the total we managed from the twenty-four away games preceding them - plus an unbeaten record at the Sky Blues going back to Christmas 2003, we could hardly be in more imperious form. Coventry have scored just six league goals against Albion in the 21st century across twelve encounters, and have also failed to score in seven of the last nine; a rather blunt record that seems to be continuing so far this campaign. Indeed, on Saturday they must have thought Christmas had come early as they put three away for the first time all season, only for Swansea to hit their own triple-whammy at the death and claim a point. They're likely to be reeling from that, and Albion can take advantage.

Our first Boxing Day fixture of this decade then takes us to Ashton Gate, with Bristol City currently two points beneath us. Since beating us in October they've managed just one win in seven, which should really be a lesson to them, but there's no guarantee they won't get bright ideas again. Nahki Wells is the ever-present goal threat, but with clean sheets in short supply, another opportunity will be wide open to Albion on the Avon.

The toughest challenge of the festive period will come three days later when Preston visit the Hawthorns, and we can measure ourselves against a team firmly in the playoff race, before Reading arrive as our first opponents of 2023 on the New Year bank holiday. Whether you make it to the games or not, I hope everyone has a happy and safe Christmas, and that the new year will treat us well.

Christmas & New Year Fixtures

Coventry (A), Wed 21/12 - 19:45
Bristol City (A), Mon 26/12 - 15:00
Preston (H), Thu 29/12 - 20:00
Reading (H), Mon 02/01 - 15:00

[Stairs]

Not been as excited about The Albion for many a year.

Seasons greetings to you all and let’s hope this trend stays with us for a very long time

[talkSAFT]

SkyBlues last minute penalty 1-0. Ohhhh shitttt

[valpayne]

xxxx just as i began to hope and dream again

[4evaabaggie]

We appear to have had an off day, just five shots all game. It was that hope that kills you. Instead of 8th still 16th.
Need to bounce back quickly ......

[Slick_Footwork]

Poor performance last night. A bit of a wake up call after the winning run. But sometimes you need that to take you back to reality...

Corberan has done very well in his short time here, but I think the winning run masked a few flaws that remain in our squad. We can't turn a blind eye to these flaws with January approaching.

Our full backs are still dreadful and will not get better. We have nothing up front without Dike. Our defensive crisis means we have no threat from set plays, which is essential when you're not playing well...

Phillips has been a good servant to the club, but I'm just gobsmacked he's still in our XI. He doesn't offer anything at all anymore.

With the exception of Yokuslu and Dike when he came on, I thought everyone was average to poor. Palmer made a few good saves, but also had dodgy moments...

But what really disappointed me was the nature of Coventry's goal, which could've been avoided if any one of 5 players could actually tackle. After all, you can take a draw if you're having an off day away from home.

The first "tackle" in the middle of the park by Furlong and Gardner Hickman was laughably weak.

But then, as the move evolves and the ball gets to Gyokeres, he's got 5 men around him and should no way be able to win a penalty. O'Shea and Wallace had the chance to engage him several yards outside the box but didn't bother, Wallace's "tackle" was weak, while O'Shea just backed off and backed off and did nothing. Furlong and Mulumby then both throw "tackle" attempts which would look weak in the under 12s, with Furlong tripping over him himself. Then in the end, after seeing Gyokeres bamboozle all 4 of them, Pieters loses his head and lunges in with his wrong foot.

For me, if the likes of Mulumby and Furlong can't tackle, what are they doing on the pitch? They can't play, so that means they're bringing nothing.

Hopefully some of these issues can be addressed in Jan. I'd love to see a new right back at the club. While I think back up for Dike is absolutely essential. I don't think Thomas Asante is a bad player, but he's never a forward. Would also be nice to see a proper midfielder next to Yokuslu, as Jake is a spent force and Swift is far too inconsistent to play that deep.

But on the bright side, things are a lot more positive than they were a few weeks ago. We can't play that badly again, surely...

[Blue Baggie]

Just as things were looking up, we are sold down the river. How to kill moral swiftly - head down the administration path.

[4evaabaggie]

A good result, makes Wednesday result even more frustrating, had the score been reversed we would be fifth in plus 7. As it stands we are three points off the playoffs. Promotion still very much a possibility although I fear automatic might be a stretch to far now.

[drewks]

Yup, another good win today!
Just when we get a head of steam going (results, CC), we get the other sh×te happening (apparent financial fleecing).
All we can do is keep the support going, and hope that something happens to our thieving owner - maybe he'll see the light? Maybe he'll sell? Maybe he'll become a mad keen Baggies man?

Well, we can dream; look at where we were 8 or 9 weeks ago!

[Slick_Footwork]

Good win today. Nicely took goal by Phillips and a great finish by Thomas-Asante.

Should be 2 winnable home games to follow in Preston and Reading too...

Corberan still has a conundrum to solve with Dike and Rogic. They both seem to be our best players when they come on, but have been ineffective when starting games, Dike today. Hopefully just a fitness issue and with time we'll be able to get a full 90 out of them.

Would love to see a few January signings to get us over the line for the playoffs. A right back, a midfield partner for Yokuslu and a replacement for Grant would be ideal. Would be happy to see any of Kelly, Mulumby, Livermore and Grant moved on to free up space in the squad. With the exception of Jake's sentimental value (and the fact he's always been a trier) I'd be happy to see the back of them. Such is the quality (or lack of) in this division, we've put a good run together with a few passengers. I think those additions would guarantee a spot. But what is happening financially is a mystery...