Jonny Drury: One word can sum up West Brom's season - but they need to find an answer
There are a number of words that could describe West Brom's campaign so far.
One of the biggest ones is 'inconsistent'.
Now that seems strange when it comes to talking about a side sitting sixth in the table with eleven games left to play.
But it is the case when you look back over Albion's results so far this season. They have been patchy, inconsistent and unable to build any kind of momentum over long periods.
You can put the campaign into three stages. The first six games when Carlos Corberan's side caught everyone by surprise, by flying out of the blocks and winning five of their first six games, with the only draw coming against current leaders Leeds.
They then went on a run of ten draw in eleven games, with the only victory in that period coming away at Hull which ironically is the last time Albion have won away from home. That has been a big problem in itself.
Corberan then departed and since then, although performances have no doubt been more attacking and front footed, there has still been an issue with consistency.
Either side of the New Year they were four unbeaten, with one win and three draws, but Albion have been unable to string wins together, put back to back victories on the board. That has been the case since that first six games.
In the last three games, they have put together a little base to build from, a springboard to put them on a good run at a vital time of the season.
Mowbray's men are three games unbeaten, with the latest result coming courtesy of that credible point at Leeds. There are a number of reasons for Albion's lack of consistency.
Over the last two months, a lot of it has stemmed from the change of manager and shift in styles from Corberan to Mowbray. Mowbray himself said that was going to take time.
Now we have seen then making more strides and turning into more of a Mowbray side. The challenge now is turning those strides into consistent form, stringing a run together to make sure they get in the play-offs.
The game against QPR on Saturday is arguably a must win with the play-off pack being so tight, but if Albion do drop points then it will feel like that Leeds point counts for nothing. It then sets Albion back in terms of building any momentum.
On paper, Albion are still sitting in a good place there is no question. But, But to avoid slipping out of the play-offs and ultimately missing out on a shot at the Premier League, they need to do something that has deserted them since the opening weeks of the campaign. Win back to back games and show consistency.
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