Where are the West Brom away fans?

So why are attendances on the wane both at The Hawthorns and away from home? Rivals Villa have taken an average of 3,400 fans to their first five away games of the Championship, while Wolves are averaging 2,350 so far this season.

The Baggies chose a smaller allocation of 1,600 for the trip to Stoke, before taking just 741 to Sunderland. We asked four die-hard fans for their opinion on the matter.

Tom Goffe, 29, Telford

For me, the main reason for the dwindling attendances is entertainment, or more importantly the lack of it. Villa and Wolves fans are more likely to witness an entertaining game.

Some of my fondest memories of following the club have been when playing in the second tier.

Yes, for the 'good of the club' the Premier League is the place to be due to the vast amounts of money involved, but what about us fans?

Why is the division your club's playing in relevant when the football on show isn't entertaining to watch? Why should we, the fans, care how much money the club is making if there is no improvement on the pitch?

We are probably richer now than we have ever been, yet the football on show is the worst it's been for years. To expect a fan to pay regardless of entertainment is a preposterous notion but unfortunately it's one the Albion seem to believe. Attendances won't improve until the football does.

Andy Floyd, 23 Sedgley

The banks of empty blue and white seats at The Hawthorns are conveying a strong message. In one aspect, they reflect the unadventurous style of football that has been imposed upon them since Tony Pulis took charge in 2015.

But it would be naive to suggest the Welshman is the only factor for the dwindling support both home and away this season.

TV coverage, online streaming and inflated ticket prices have certainly contributed, but the problems run much deeper than TV and money.

The catalyst for our ever-decreasing attendances is the lack of ambition the club has shown in recent times. Becoming an established Premier League football club has actually driven fans away. Our sole objective each season is to retain our top-flight status, which isn't enough to keep some fans onside.

The die-hard supporters won't ever leave, but in order to fill those empty seats, we need to do more than just survive. Showing clear signs of progression under the ownership of Mr Lai will bring some fans back as Albion enter a new era.

Sarah Rudge, 24 Wolverhampton

It has been a problem for the past couple of seasons but dwindling attendances for Albion are becoming more of a regularity.

The main reason for this is Tony Pulis and his negative style of football. It's no coincidence the two lowest gates recorded at The Hawthorns in the Premier League have been under his stewardship. Fans have been choosing to stay away in protest of his defensive tactics.

A little over 700 fans made the mammoth trip to Sunderland which, when compared with some of the away followings in the Championship, is rather embarrassing. Only time will tell if the price cap for away tickets will help improve these figures but the patience and loyalty of our once impressive support seems to be wearing thin.

Brad Rushton, 31 Telford

The excitement of travelling away has gradually dwindled since we first made our Premier League bow back in 2003. Currently, it's hard to ignore the fact we're set up to stop the opposition scoring. The risk of relegation weighs heavy on every bottom-half team so a 0-0 is seen as financially better outcome for the club than an enthralling 5-4 loss. Tactics are adapted to the business objective. It's pretty gut wrenching to justify a £100 round trip when the aim of winning handsomely is not on the tactical agenda.

Ticket cost is also a factor. Would we sell out our away allocation if it was a £20 ticket fee for all travelling fans? I'd imagine so. The German FA has ensured the average fan is not priced out of attending.

It would be a very shrewd move for the Premier League to adopt such a policy – the league really isn't premier when stadiums are half empty.