Figures reveal West Brom attendance drop with some fans staying away despite impressive Hawthorns home form
One big thing stood out during West Brom's 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at The Hawthorns last week.
On the pitch, there were standout performances, and that superb second half display.
But off it was an issue that many supporters have picked up on - and a reoccuring theme that has been commented on a number of times in recent weeks.
And that is the attendance and obvious empty seats inside The Hawthorns.
On Friday, the official attendance was more than 22,000 but to the eye that very much did not look the case.
For a few of weeks at time, a larger number of empty seats have been visible inside The Hawthorns, and it has been picked up on supporters.
But how do the numbers stack up and have attendances dropped at Albion home games this season.
Well, the short answer is, yes they have.
Looking at the statistics from last season compared to the current campaign, there has been around a five per cent drop on average attendances.
Last season, across the 23 home league games Albion had, the average attendance sat at 25,057.
Compare that to the current average attendance - and that is down to 23,858, a drop of around 1,200.
Only once this season have Albion topped 25,000 for a home game - and that came in the 125th anniversary clash at Derby County - which ironically resulted in Albion's only defeat on home soil so far this season.
Last season's top attendance was a home clash against Bristol City - with a gate of 25,951 - with Albion regularly recording attendances of over 25,000 across last season.
But why the drop?
A mixture of factors - but one key one
It has become noticeable in recent weeks maybe since the Sheffield Wednesday game - but certainly the home clash with Oxford United.
Empty seats have become more visible in the Birmingham Road End and East Stand.
Why is this though? Well, the performances on the pitch has a lot to do with it. Albion's form at home is good, but fans have been unhappy with performances and that is evident by regular booing at the number of home games.
It was of course better on Friday and there is another reason for that attendance being low - the broadcasters.
Many will have stayed away last Friday with it being on TV and traffic issues around the ground.
However, the most likely reason for low attendances is that people have been staying away because of the form, performances and position in the table.
The hope is, after the Sheffield United victory, that will now change and Albion can hit the attendance levels of last season.