Chris Brunt
West Brom 3, Blackpool 2: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict
SIX wins, seven, maybe eight? Who knows.
Chris Lepkowski
That will depend on how well the other teams do.
What's clear is that Albion are edging closer towards their goal.
Saturday's victory put a little daylight between themselves and Nottingham Forest. Effectively it's a two-game swing due to Albion's goal difference.
And it's that time of year that these permutations need to be considered.
What is clear is that Albion are coming into form at the right time.
Their performance on Saturday was way from perfect. It was flawed in so many ways.
But, at this stage of the season, you want a good reliable runner, that continues to motor – not a gas-guzzler that looks good, shows sporadic form but runs out of steam. Aesthetics can wait – that time of the season has passed.
And Albion are at a stage where, logistically, they need to think about permutations. Saturday's 3-2 victory puts them on 69 points, five more than Nottingham Forest with 10 games to go. Still a long straight to negotiate for all concerned.
But, given previous seasons, one would have to assume that a points total of around 84-87 would be enough for Albion to cross the line in second spot (they won the title with 81 two years ago and Blues were second with 83 last year). So Albion probably need to win about six of their remaining games.
Albion's victory had a touch of class but also good fortune about it.
The former came in the form of Robert Koren's second goal in as many games. It was Albion's second goal. A long range drive with his left foot.
The good fortune came from Giles Barnes being brought down by Joe Martin. The hapless Blackpool left-back had been struggling, not for the first time during the afternoon.
Was it a foul? No doubt. But whether the initial challenge was made outside or inside the box is unclear. Not even replays offered any clarity. Barnes apparently apologised to Martin afterwards. The referee made his own choice. Up steps Graham Dorrans for his ninth spot-kick of the season, goal, game over.
Before then Albion had been wounded twice. The first time was inside the opening seven minutes. Charlie Adam squeezed a low long-range shot past Scott Carson.
It was one of those strikes which little could be done about – apart from maybe the midfield closing down. In any case it drew isolated applause from a few home fans. They weren't as generous in their appreciation when the same player had a similar shot a few minutes later.
Albion responded when Chris Brunt played in Ishmael Miller, who pulled away from his marker and side-footed a shot past Matt Gilks. It was his first goal since November 2008 and while Miller is still nowhere near fit – indeed he went off with a hamstring twinge just after an hour – his power and explosive turn of pace is slowly returning.
Koren increased the lead with a copy and paste job from the Sheffield Wednesday winning goal. Once again the poor corner flag bore the brunt of his celebration.
Brett Ormerod equalised when he got in front of Marek Cech to head in from close range just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Then came the penalty decision.
It wasn't the most convincing of Albion performances.
But there were exceptions. Gabriel Tamas continued his excellent form at the back. The Romanian looks increasingly assured and controlled.
Alongside him Jonas Olsson is benefiting from his colleague's confidence. The only thing the duo lack is pace, but all other boxes are generally ticked in terms of their partnership. The full-back areas need addressing over a longer term but for now they have the necessary footballing ability and experience to provide Albion with adequate cover.
The Baggies are at their best when they attack with pace. While the Hawthorns pitch isn't ideal, Albion looked at their most fluent when the ball was being zipped around on the ground, rather than the more direct route.
Miller is not the ideal candidate to play as a lone striker.
His strengths are to run onto the ball in the direction of the opposition's goal, rather than holding it up to bring others behind him into play.
But, regardless, he prospered with his pace and strength. Blackpool struggled to handle him.
Behind him the midfield played sporadically, but Koren continued to influence the game, which was handy given that Youssouf Mulumbu, James Morrison and Dorrans never really settled into a consistent rhythmn.
Koren and manager Roberto Di Matteo may not play dominoes down the local but at least they're both professional enough to know that, right now, they both need each other for the good of the club.
Albion are hitting winning form at just the right time.
Tomorrow's game at Swansea will be a crucial test of their capabilities.
Scott Carson
Graham Dorrans
Gabriel Tamas
Youssouf Mulumbu