JibrinA huge week is just around the corner for West Bromwich Albion as they prepare for consecutive home fixtures in the Championship.
Sitting nervously just outside the relegation zone, the action kicks off on Wednesday evening when they welcome Southampton, aiming to build on a valuable point secured on the road last weekend.
The Baggies battled to a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United, with George Campbell experiencing a dramatic shift from villain to hero. He first deflected the ball into his own net from a low Gustavo Hamer cross, before unleashing a thunderous strike from 25 yards that sent the travelling supporters into euphoria.
That moment could prove to be the catalyst to ignite the final phase of their season and propel them away from the wrong end of the standings. However, standing in their way is a Southampton side currently enjoying a rich vein of form.
Tonda Eckert’s men are unbeaten in their last eight Championship outings, claiming victory in six of those, while they secured a major scalp in the FA Cup last weekend by overcoming Premier League outfit Fulham 1-0 to book their spot in the quarter-finals.
Naturally, there is an abundance of optimism for Saints supporters to embrace right now, and another triumph at The Hawthorns would also strengthen their push for a play-off berth.
It’s a fixture carrying enormous significance for both sides, so it should prove to be a captivating contest as we enter the decisive phase of this Championship campaign.
Meanwhile, ahead of a pivotal week, Albion’s interim chief James Morrison has been sharing words of wisdom with his squad, and defender George Campbell has disclosed the message delivered by the Baggies icon.
And it may not be what Leicester City supporters want to hear at the moment.
George Campbell reveals James Morrison’s “go for the kill” message ahead of Southampton, Hull City home clashes
As reported by the Express & Star, West Brom defender George Campbell has lifted the lid on the guidance interim boss James Morrison has been providing to the squad ahead of this crucial week, revealing they must “go for it” and “kill” teams off when at The Hawthorns to secure maximum points.
Campbell said: “We are going to need every point we can get.
“Mozza (interim boss James Morrison), told us in the locker room that at home we need to go for it, kill these teams and pick up three points.
“We are going to need energy and quality on the ball. That will help us get the points we need. Southampton are a good team and will try to press us.
“We need to be composed and run for each other, tackle for each other.”
James Morrison’s words may strike fear into Leicester City
It’s going to be an almighty scrap until the very end of the season to see which two teams will join Sheffield Wednesday in League One, with the table guaranteed to take many more twists and turns over the coming weeks.
And it was proven last weekend. At one point on Saturday afternoon, when Albion fell behind at Bramall Lane, they were 23rd in the table, but going on to rescue a point keeps them just above the dotted line.
Belief and determination are needed most to get out of this bleak situation, while roaring words from Morrison about being clinical and killing teams off at home is exactly what the players need to hear, as they search for a first league and home victory since the 29th of December.
While there have been instances before of Albion picking up positive results and failing to back them up, there is a real hope connected with everybody that last week’s point in the Steel City is the turning point for the season, particularly now Morrison has found a system that the players can get stuck into and enjoy their football in.
The players will also be taking on board the words of an interim boss who cares deeply about this football club and possesses a desire to do anything it takes to get them away from the dreaded dropzone, so they have to replicate that showing of fight and passion against Southampton to prove to the supporters that they are capable of securing survival.
This positive and upbeat mood that the Baggies are in may concern Leicester City, who will desperately be hoping that their relegation rivals get back on the losing trail as quickly as possible.
And Wednesday evening’s clash against the Saints will tell the Foxes a lot, testing Albion’s credentials about whether they have enough to save their Championship skin.
Jibrin
