Gareth Barry targets Brighton win to kick-start West Brom survival push

The midfielder believes the Baggies may need to win five of their remaining eight home games in order to avoid dropping through the Premier League trapdoor.

Fellow strugglers Southampton, Swansea and Huddersfield will also visit The Hawthorns before the end of the campaign and Barry believes all is still to play for.

But he acknowledges Albion, who sit four points from safety, must first snap their 20-game winless league run which dates back to August.

“The position we’re in now it’s going to be tough. But we’re confident we can get out if it. We’ve got the players and the squad to do that,” said Barry.

“The big thing is winning games at home. We need to get our home fans behind us and win five of the remaining home games. That will be massive to build on. With Brighton up next, there’s no better place to start.”

Brighton inflicted Albion’s first defeat of the season when they triumphed 3-1 at the Amex Stadium back in September.

Much has happened since then, with Alan Pardew replacing Tony Pulis in the Albion hotseat.

The new boss enjoyed his first win in charge at the ninth attempt when the Baggies won 2-0 at Exeter in the FA Cup last weekend.

“He knew from the outset it was going to be difficult but he’s made things good around the training ground,” said Barry.

“They’re a lot more bright and the players are enjoying training. We work on doing the right things and the manager can get it right.

“It’s small steps and today is a small step to get that winning feeling back in the changing room. If we beat Brighton, that’s another one. We’ve just got to take a game at a time - the old cliche - and go from there.”

Albion are, meanwhile, among several Premier League clubs reported to be tracking Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Charley Musonda, who has been made available for loan.