Five missed opportunities

Albion enter their final six games of the season with their Premier League status still uncertain after back-to-back home defeats to QPR and Leicester.

And yet, they are agonisingly close to being safe. Just one more win during the season would have Tony Pulis's men home and hosed already.

Steve Madeley look at five moments when they could have avoided the current mess.

1. August 16, Sunderland (home)

After a 0 - 0 draw against Hull, Irvine's West Brom faced criticism for their lack of creativity and goal power

Alan Irvine's first game in charge looked set to end with a season-opening win as his side led 2-1 through a Saido Berahino brace, only for Seb Larsson to earn the Black Cats a late point with an awful goal from an Albion standpoint.

Victory would have left the Baggies two points better off and harmed one of their relegation rivals early on.

2. October 20, Manchester United (home)

It might seem a little churlish to lament a 2-2 draw against the Premier League's most successful club, but Irvine's Albion came so close to winning that it felt like a major opportunity missed.

Excellent goals from Stephane Sessegnon and Saido Berahino put the Baggies ahead twice against a misfiring Red Devils side but Daley Blind's equaliser on 87 minutes denied them two points and a scalp that might have kick-started their campaign.

3. December 20, QPR (away)

It looked like a comfortable three points for Irvine's side as they dominated the opening half and scored two good goals through Joleon Lescott and Silvestre Varela.

But Charlie Austin's goal against the run of play gave the home side hope at half-time and he bagged two more in the second half to complete a hat-trick and send Albion spinning to a defeat that effectively sealed Irvine's fate.

4. March 3, Villa (away)

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood enjoyed the win

With both clubs fighting to stay in the Premier League, the first instalment of a derby double-header looked set to be pivotal, and it was Albion who left cursing their carelessness.

They had battled back from a poor first half to head into stoppage-time level at 1-1, only for an horrendous error from goalkeeper Ben Foster to hand Villa a penalty from which Christian Benteke secured all three points.

5. April 11, Leicester (home)

Jeff Astle Day was an occasion for Baggies fans to savour and victory for the modern-day side would have all-but ended their relegation fears.

Despite a sub-standard display, they looked well set for three points when they led 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining.

However, goals from Robert Huth and Jamie Vardy gave a sour ending to a special afternoon and left the Baggies needing points from the toughest of run-ins.

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