As Tony Mowbray prepares to visit his old club, we chatted with Birmingham Live's West Brom reporter, Joe Chapman, to talk about the Baggies' season...
As it stands, West Brom are 7th, one point off the play-offs. Of course this will have all changed come kick-off for us but what are your thoughts on where you find yourselves, considering last time we played at the SOL you guys were 22nd?
Crazy isn't it, really? To even have a sniff of the top six at this stage is quite staggering, considering where we were when Carlos Corberan found us. The job he and his staff have carried out has been nothing short of brilliant, and it's only expending so much in December and January that I think has led to us not consolidating ourselves in the play-offs before now - since then, the form has been patchy, but the home form has stood up - Albion haven't lost at home since his first game in charge in October.
Perhaps it’s still a sore subject but one we can relate to. Striker Daryl Dike suffered a ruptured Achilles Tendon on the weekend, how big of a miss will he be? Do you have good back up options?
Dike scored his first goal for the club in the reverse fixture and had seven to his name before his injury - including winners against Middlesbrough, Reading and Wigan. He was a little hot and cold in front of goal but always a handful.
His injury is only the biggest set-back in a long list of injuries. Albion are without Matt Phillips, Grady Diangana, Adam Reach and captain Dara O'Shea for the rest of the season. Nathaniel Chalobah will be missing too, while Okay Yokuslu and Kyle Bartley are doubts. Albion's squad is currently paper thin. Brandon Thomas-Asante will lead the line in Dike's absence.
Who has been your best player this season?
Jed Wallace, Dara O'Shea and Okay Yokuslu are all big contenders. For me personally it's been Jayson Molumby. He was steady at a time when Albion were struggling under Steve Bruce, but under Corberan he's excelled. Still half fit, he battled through 90 minutes last weekend and scored twice at Stoke to drag Albion up off the floor. The kind of player and attitude supporters adore.
Your next four games are against teams that could also finish in the top six, Us, Sheffield United, Norwich and then Swansea, so with that said are you confident of finishing in the top six or is it more a hope?
It's quite ridiculous, really that Albion are still even in with a decent shout. They had a dreadful Easter weekend but have won twice since then and are all of a sudden on the brink! As I say, home form has been superb so that must continue. I reckon Albion need 10 points for a play-off place - if they can manage it with the injuries to key players they have to deal with, it'll be a hell of an achievement.
If The Baggies do finish in the top six, how confident are you that you guys can pull off a play off promotion?
A top six finish is an achievement, yes, but the work won't be done. Albion's injury list is so serious that most of those currently out won't be returning any time soon, so the skinny squad would have to regroup and go again if they did. Boro look strong, but Albion were tremendous against them earlier this year. Corberan came close last year with Huddersfield so he knows what it's all about though.
Which team/s scare you the most out of those lingering around the play off places?
I think Coventry could go close. Apart from Burnley they were perhaps the best team to play Albion this season so far, at their place. Gyokeres and Hamer are among the best players in the division.
Like most Albion supporters, I'm a huge admirer of Mowbray and what he is building with Clarke, Pritchard, Amad, Roberts etc is not too dissimilar to the group he had at Albion in 2007-08, which won the league. He knows how to make teams tick, but I just wonder if the lack of an Akpom/Gyokeres type forward might cost Sunderland at the crunch point.
Where have West Brom been the weakest this season?
A few weeks ago I'd have said that in front of goal is where Albion have often struggled, but they've scored twice in each of their last three games so they've picked up a little. Set pieces have hurt Albion plenty, though - against Rotherham they were undone by two Jordan Hugill headers.
How do you think the game will pan out? What will the score be and who will get the goals?
I expect The Hawthorns to be up for it. They know now that they have a chance, and they need to give their players as strong a backing as possible. I know the away end will be doing the same, so the Albion players must rise to the occasion. If they start quickly, as they have done so often at home, I'd fancy them to win. I'll say 2-1 - Thomas-Asante x2 and Amad.
Finally, one for the travelling fans, where is best for us Mackems to grab a pre-match pint?
The Vine is within walking distance, and the Sportsman in West Brom town centre is usually worth visiting, but in the event that both are shut on Sunday morning then Birmingham City centre if just a 5/6 minute train journey away from the ground.
