JibrinAs Leicester City attempt to process the wreckage of their astonishing collapse, the relegation battle is shifting rapidly — and West Brom’s next five fixtures could prove pivotal in the chaos unfolding beneath them.
While the Foxes are reeling after surrendering a commanding 3–0 lead to lose 4–3, their survival rivals are quietly assessing opportunity. Few more so than West Brom.
The Baggies are deeply entangled in the dogfight at the lower end of the Championship standings. Yet unlike Leicester, who are battling both form and confidence, West Brom appear to be grinding their way through adversity.
Currently 19th after 32 matches, West Brom sit two points above the relegation zone with 14 crucial games remaining. Their recent 0-0 stalemate with Birmingham City may not have grabbed headlines, but it demonstrated discipline and defensive structure — qualities Leicester desperately lacked during their second-half implosion.
Eric Ramsay was installed as head coach at The Hawthorns earlier this winter, replacing Ryan Mason following an erratic spell of results. Since stepping in, Ramsay has prioritised organisation and resilience — traits that are invaluable in a survival scrap where panic can be fatal.
With Leicester’s mentality now under scrutiny, here’s how the next five fixtures compare among the clubs fighting to avoid the drop.
The Next Five: Survival Run-In Takes Shape
Norwich City and Sheffield United have steadied their campaigns in recent weeks and look increasingly secure. However, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth and a shaken Leicester City remain firmly in the relegation mix. Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United occupy the bottom three alongside a Sheffield Wednesday side that appears destined for the drop.
- Charlton Athletic – 36 points
Stoke City (H), 11th Feb
Portsmouth (H), 17th Feb
Southampton (A), 21st Feb
West Brom (A), 24th Feb
Wrexham (H), 28th Feb - West Brom – 34 points
Coventry City (H), 21st Feb
Charlton Athletic (H), 24th Feb
Oxford United (A), 28th Feb
Sheffield United (A), 7th Mar
Southampton (H), 11th Mar - Portsmouth – 33 points
Sheffield United (H), 14th Feb
Charlton Athletic (A), 17th Feb
Millwall (A), 21st Feb
Wrexham (A), 24th Feb
Hull City (H), 28th Feb - Leicester City – 32 points
Stoke City (A), 21st Feb
Middlesbrough (A), 24th Feb
Norwich City (H), 28th Feb
Ipswich Town (A), 7th Mar
Bristol City (H), 10th Mar - Blackburn Rovers – 32 points
QPR (A), 14th Feb
Preston North End (H), 20th Feb
Bristol City (H), 24th Feb
Derby County (A), 28th Feb
Portsmouth (H), 7th Mar - Oxford United – 28 points
Middlesbrough (A), 21st Feb
Stoke City (A), 25th Feb
West Brom (H), 28th Feb
Preston North End (A), 6th Mar
Blackburn Rovers (H), 11th Mar
Stability vs Spiral: A Tale of Two Mindsets
West Brom’s controlled performance against Birmingham may not have been spectacular, but it reflected composure — something Leicester fans are desperately craving after watching their side unravel from a position of dominance.
Oxford are beginning to drift away from safety, Sheffield Wednesday look beyond rescue, and the final relegation slot remains fiercely contested.
Blackburn are preparing for a fresh start with a new manager incoming. Leicester, by contrast, are struggling badly for momentum at the worst possible stage of the season. Portsmouth and Charlton have shown determination, but consistency remains the question mark.
After the draw with Birmingham, Ramsay underlined the importance of discipline and togetherness:
“I’m immensely proud of that performance tonight – it’s everything we need to be between now and the end of the season if we want to get to where we want to be.
“It wasn’t spectacular, but that was a really solid 90 minutes of going toe-to-toe with a team which is in very good form in an atmosphere which is difficult to contend with. We showed a step forward in terms of the performance. We were on the front foot, we were aggressive and we connected with the crowd. Those things were crucial ingredients to helping us achieve a point.”
Those words speak of structure and belief — the exact elements Leicester failed to demonstrate during their dramatic collapse.
And that is why rivals are sensing vulnerability.
With five decisive fixtures ahead, the margin between composure and chaos could determine survival. Leicester’s meltdown has not only cost them points — it has potentially handed psychological momentum to the teams around them.
In a relegation fight where confidence is everything, that may prove even more damaging.
Jibrin
