West Brom have seen the warning signs of a play-off slump - Tom Ross

Outspoken Midlands radio personality Tom Ross gives his verdict on the latest events at West Bromwich Albion

Early in the season I predicted West Bromwich Albion would make the promotion play-offs. Here we are with over half the campaign gone and I am even more convinced that head coach Carlos Corberan will achieve it.

Should Albion make the top six, as I expect, then I fancy them to reach the final, all things being equal. However, the cynic in me would say they rarely are equal.

On their day, and avoiding any more injuries to key players, the Baggies are more than a match for most Championship teams.

Their ability to sparkle at home, which has seen massive wins against promotion-chasing Leeds, Ipswich, Hull and Middlesbrough, as well as grinding out draws when perhaps not at their best, has been very impressive and will be vital in their chase for a play-off place.

They have only lost two games at The Hawthorns, one against Leicester who arrived in blistering form but needed a last-minute goal to win. Without any argument, the Foxes are the best team in the division by a country mile, yet Albion ran them so close but paid the penalty for still trying to attack and win the game in the final minutes rather than tuck the wingers in and take a point.

The other defeat was against Huddersfield, who have struggled so far this season only winning two away games.

You would be a fool to bet against the Baggies at The Hawthorns, but one concern is their lack of goals away from home. I admit I don’t get to see them play away these days but excellent wins at Preston, Coventry and Cardiff, together with draws early in the season at Leeds, Bristol City and Watford, show they can grind out results on the road.

However, two defeats in their last two away games, at Swansea and Middlesbrough, were more than disappointing. I am not talking about the Baggies’ performance but the results.

Is it because Carlos is more concerned with winning rather than not losing in away games? If so, that is to his credit, however, all that matters while trying to get out of the Championship is results first and performance second with every point a prisoner. Although, ideally, you want both a win and a great performance, which is Carlos’ aim.

He is one of the most engaging head coaches I have ever worked with and leaves nothing to chance with every detail covered for every fixture, home or away. His analysis of games and opponents is second to none.

So, what is the difference between those gritty early-season away draws and the latest losses on the road?

There are many things that can provide the answer, injuries being one of them, as Carlos has had to contend with serious ones to game-winning/influencing players.

Baggies fans who watch them away will have a better grasp of the answer than most. Is it refereeing, not creating enough chances or not taking enough chances?

I believe it is because the squad size is small and has been further depleted by more injuries. So, after giving it everything to win games at home they travel away and find nothing left in the tank. For example, two huge wins against Norwich and Leeds in three days and three days later defeat at Swansea.

Three massive games in six days took its toll in December. Whatever the answer is, Albion cannot allow it to be their Achilles heel in the remaining ten away games.

What concerns every Baggies fan is the ownership situation and, as I understand it, owner Guochuan Lai is negotiating to sell the club to American multi-millionaire businessman Shilen Patel. I have no idea how far down the road negotiations are but the sooner the club is rid of Lai the better for everyone involved.

Hopefully Patel will soon be able to enter into a period of exclusivity whereby he can examine everything. He will also have to undergo the EFL ownership tests before completing the deal. However, the signs look good.

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