Could West Brom be in for a fruitful festive period?

Mikey Johnston's double was right out of the top drawer - as his first half header was followed by a stunning effort to seal the victory.

From the frustrations and disappointment of that long run of just one win in months, Albion have now made it back to back wins on home soil and there seems to be a real mood shift.

It is now one of confidence from the sidelines, rather than predicting a draw every week.

And what the victory on Sunday does do is get Albion's potentially fruitful festive fixture list off to a cracking start.

After the win over the Robins, Albion now head to Derby County on Saturday who are down in 16th place in the table.

On paper, that is a game that Carlos Corberan's men should really be winning if they have those ambitions of making the play-offs again.

Sheffield United away is a different bag all together, but kind of a game that Corberan will relish because his rock solid back line can sit in and soak up the pressure.

They've done it often against bigger sides, so that is a place certainly where Albion will be targeting getting something even though it is going to be a tall order.

Then that is followed by a home clash against Preston, which you have to say is far from a banker but that is in the same folder as Derby in terms of a game that Albion really should be winning.

The trip to Swansea is arguably not part of the festive period with it being on January 4, so there are 12 points up for grabs in this key run.

They already have three in there. If they can get nine points from a possible 12, that is fantastic. If they can get more than that, potentially ten if they can nick a point at Sheffield United, that would be huge.

The festive period by no stretch of the imagination defines a campaign, but we hear every year how big it is. 

A bad run over Christmas can dent confidence and stunt momentum heading into the New Year. It is a big set back.

When you have a good run, it not only drags you up the table towards the area you want to be, but it gives you a superb platform to go and attack the next calendar year.

Given how there have been frustrations around Albion in recent months on that long run of draws, and the fact they are back on the cusp of the top six, it could be as big a festive period as they have had for some time.