[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Two more matches, two more points. Last weekend's home encounter at least saw the goal drought end, and though the trip to Wearside was less entertaining by far, the result was still a slight positive. But it does feel frustratingly like we're back to treading water as we conclude autumn by travelling up to Lancashire for Saturday's fixture against Preston.

The Lillywhites sit in 19th, just two points above the relegation zone, and on their longest winless run (currently seven matches) since October 2018. They've also lost their last three against us, and Albion's recent record at Deepdale is much better than it once was, but our ability to continue that success is inevitably prey to the ongoing conundrum we've had these last couple of months: our midfield's top priority is protecting the makeshift defence, and so Maja up front has to make do with any half-chance he gets. Still, with goalkeeper Freddie Woodman suspended after a red card last week for handling a backpass outside the box, Preston will be liable to put veteran journeyman David Cornell between the sticks on Saturday, and that change-up might just give Albion a weak spot to exploit.

With six goalless draws under the belt now, we're already three-quarters of the way to equalling the eight we racked up under Brian Talbot way back in 1988-89, and it would be a brave man who bet against it happening yet again this week. But the wins have to come from somewhere, and this is a reasonable if not golden opportunity for the Baggies.