[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

The international break draws nigh with Albion in about the best position we could have hoped for a month ago, watching our closest competitors fall away one by one in the rear-view mirror. That's no reason to ease up on the pedal, mind, as we see out this phase of the season with a visit from struggling Hull City.

Our recent record against the Tigers is as good as they come, even if their last victory at the Hawthorns (3-0 in October 2008 during their stellar first few months in the Premier League under Phil Brown) did occur on Tony Mowbray's watch. They've lost each of their last seven visits, conceding twenty in the process, and though some wins in recent weeks - including a cautionary 1-0 steal at Sunderland - have eased their struggle against relegation, it's come at a disciplinary cost of a couple of red cards, leaving them devoid of holding midfielder Gustavo Puerta and forward Joao Pedro for this match, as the latter became the first player ever to start a Championship match, score a goal and get sent off within the first quarter of an hour. But Leeds loanee Joe Gelhardt remains a threat from midfield, and will be Hull's best chance of a positive result.

For Albion, Darnell Furlong continues his suspension but Kyle Bartley should be available again, while Mikey Johnston's call-up for the Republic of Ireland suggests he'll be eager to get a chance on the pitch after being benched at Burnley. We've been admirable at grinding out the wins at home, and all being well, Saturday should be no different.

[talkSAFT]

Phew! 1-0 (Price 67')

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1-1 79 mins

[Salopbaggie]

1 - 1, yet again sitting back trying to protect a lead rather than keeping with what was working and allowing a soft equaliser. 4 points thrown away in two games.

[4evaabaggie]

I wouldn't say a draw away at Burnley was two points thrown away however I am.in full agreement about us taking g the lead and then sitting back. 18 draws, if in ten of those games we pushed on and got the win we would be on 77 points pushing for automatic rather than trying to hold on to the play offs. Six games unbeaten but only ten points. 8 thrown / given away.

It will be squeaky bum time until we achieve a guaranteed play off spot.

Come on you baggies!.

[Salopbaggie]

I wouldn't say a draw away at Burnley was two points thrown away!.

Hope you are well, fellow Salopian, the reason I say through away two points against Burnley and yes a draw, we would have took all day, before the game. Is that we were winning and their equaliser and only goal came from a mistake by one of our players. If it was our mistake that gifted them the equaliser then that is why I say "we threw away two points".

[Blue Baggie]

No 2nd goal cost us the points.
Considering our attacking options have been massively improved. We're still lacking in goals. AA has been shocking - was thought to be the next SKP. He's more like Zohore.
I will be glad when Maja is back and Dike is let loose.
The prize is slipping away ATM.

[4evaabaggie]

Salop, we are all well hope your well too.

I can see your point about letting leads slips especially thorough defensive errors, not keen on Wildsmith, not sure he is the calibre of keeper we need. Also we contained them apart from the calamity goalkeeping and a win was there for the taking.

Blue, I agree our lack of second goals all season have cost us wins from games we were well on top of but let slip. All those draws have meant automatic promotion now is an impossibility. Leeds and Sheffield Utd both require two points to put it out of our grasp and with our inconsistency even the playoffs could be thrown away.

Coventry and Bristol are picking up results and points and we keep letting the points slip out of our hands.

It will be a close run thing.

CoyB

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Coventry 15 points from 18
Bristol 12 points from 18
Albion 10 points from 18

We have to play them both, both away from home, our away form has not been scintillating, both are must not lose games, and may be must win games if we are to book our place in the lottery.

We can do it, will we do it, not sure at this time.

Disappointed with Stretch so far …. Not been the all conquering championship goal scorer we had hoped for.