[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Derek Kevan and Jimmy Campbell on the attack against Burnley, 6th September 1958

Contrary to my worst fears, our performance at Leicester a fortnight ago was a marked improvement on previous games, and though we maybe rode our luck a little at times, we came away with a deserved win.  However, with just five points presently separating 8th place from 18th, and Albion perched in the middle of that bunch with a modest total of 13, the coming weeks are our best opportunity of pushing ourselves up the table well before the congested Christmas schedule.  We begin on Monday night with Burnley at home.

The last time they visited the Hawthorns, we dispatched the Clarets 4-0 and were praising the tactical genius of Alan Irvine; I think it's fair to say that a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.  Burnley, alongside Hull, have set themselves up as one of this decade's yo-yo clubs, but following a shaky start to the season they sit a point above us in the table thanks to back-to-back home wins over Crystal Palace and Everton, as well as a creditable draw at Old Trafford.  That point was their first on the road all season, and I don't suppose you could blame them for wanting to add a first away win into the bargain against us.

For us, it may well end up being the age-old frustration of trying to break a team down with our one attacking gear.  However, if Matty Phillips can turn in another performance like he did on our last outing, here's hoping for better.