Filed under: West Brom, Premier League, Football
West Bromwich Albion supporters usually dread this time of year when their team is in the Premier League.Nails have been maniacally chewed, league tables vigorously pored over and, on match days, ears and eyes glued to radios, texts and other new-fangled electronic equipment to keep up to date on scorelines elsewhere.
But with a little over a month to go this season, the portents are promising for Albion to not only secure survival but avoid relegation with something to spare.
The glorious memories of their last-day 'Great Escape', on that baking hot day at the Hawthorns nearly six years ago, left an indelible mark in the minds of the people who were there.
But the Baggies have longed for the time when they can feel sympathy for the three teams who have suffered the drop on the final day with their own safety preserved.
After the stunning start made by Roy Hodgson, that prospect is edging ever closer to becoming a reality. Hodgson remains unbeaten, having negotiated potential hurdles with the visits of both Arsenal and Liverpool, and Albion currently stand seven points away from the drop zone and in sight of a top ten finish.
Even Hodgson's previously shocking away record hasn't proven a problem, with notable triumphs at Birmingham and Sunderland.
Barring a surprise late collapse, it means Albion can finally eradicate their reputation as the Black Country Boomerang. And, for the first time, try and put down some building blocks for the future from a position of strength.
It has been difficult for any of the club's recent managers to lure players to B71 due to their yo-yo existence. Potential targets have shied away from moving there as they fear operating in the Championship 12 months down the line.
But with Hodgson looking set to secure survival at a canter, he will be able to conduct a much better sales pitch.
The perennial problem at West Brom of losing their best players won't be a problem either. Every summer after relegation the papers are filled with tales proclaiming departures of prized Hawthorns assets.
Now, however, the threat of Chris Brunt, Peter Odemwingie and Youssouf Mulumbu jumping ship is minimal at best.
Albion's rapid improvement means that Jeremy Peace, their much maligned chairman, grudgingly deserves praise. He made a bold decision to sack Roberto Di Matteo in February but he could clearly see the warning signs and it is a decision that looks set to be richly rewarded.
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