OPINION
Things have all gone a little bit awry at West Brom recently.
With the Baggies sat fourth in the table, the club decided to part company with manager Darren Moore last weekend. No replacement has been announced, and despite winning against Swansea in midweek, the Hawthorns outfit still lie nine points behind Leeds United in the second automatic promotion spot.
This weekend, Albion square up against Brentford who, despite being 14th in the table, are only seven points off sixth spot and a fabled play-off spot.
Saturday’s clash is, therefore, a must win for both sides, with the Baggies needing a win to keep alive their faint hopes of an automatic promotion spot – and partially to justify the bizarre decision to dismiss Moore – and the Bees needing three points to keep any glimmer of a shot at the Premier League from fading entirely.
That’s why David Prutton’s prediction for the match up will have West Brom fans fearing the worst if it comes true.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the pundit said: “Brentford’s defeat at Sheffield United in midweek means they may have just a little bit too much to do to reach the play-offs now, even with a game in hand on most of the sides above them.
“West Brom won their first game without Darren Moore, but Swansea aren’t in great nick at the moment, and this will be a tough trip for them. Home win for me.”
Prutton then predicts a 2-1 win for Brentford.
That result would be awful for West Brom. You would probably argue that the eight point buffer they have between themselves and sixth will be enough to ensure that they nab a play-off place, but the sacking of Moore was a clear statement that that would not be enough for the board to be satisfied.
Defeat at this stage of the season would not only end their slim hopes of automatic promotion but could also trigger a dire run of form which could see them tumble down – and perhaps out – of the play off spots.
Positive form is exactly what is needed right now and a disappointing defeat, coupled with the lack of manager, could be enough to turn what has been a positive campaign into one of bitter disappointment.