Albion’s Second Tier Season Comparison – 45 games | OneFootball

For the first time in Carlos Corberán’s tenure, Albion have lost three games in succession and, while they still have a good chance to extend their season, it could hardly have happened at a worst time. The more worrying aspect of the defeat at Hillsborough was the performance, such a contrast to the one given at Leicester the week before.

The last time the Baggies lost three in a row was under two managers – the last two games of Steve Bruce’s reign and the first of Corberán’s in October 2022. Bruce actually lost four of his first five matches in charge in February of the same year, including three in a row against Luton, Middlesbrough and Swansea, with the last two matches of Ismaël’s tenure also ending in defeat.

A top six spot remains in Albion’s hands, however, with a draw against Preston North End next week almost certainly enough to finish above Hull City – the Tigers would need an eleven-goal victory to overhaul the Baggies’ goal difference advantage.

Last season was the first time since 1991 that the Baggies have not achieved their aim when they have gone into the final day of the season with something riding on it. Back in 1991, Albion needed to match Leicester City’s result on the final day to avoid the drop to Division Three, but could only draw away to Bristol Rovers at Twerton Park. Since then, they won at Portsmouth in 1994, at home to Charlton Athletic in 2000, Crystal Palace in 2002, Portsmouth in 2005, Barnsley in 2007 and, of course, at QPR in 2008. QPR were again the opponents in 2020 when a point turned out to be enough.

Last season was always something of a long shot by the final day and, even if they had beaten Swansea City, it would not have been enough to snatch a top six spot, so it’s fair to say that Albion have a pretty good final day record when it has mattered. Let’s hope that continues!

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