West Brom v Ipswich: Fans need a sign the Baggies are learning

No team has a worse away record in the division than Ipswich Town, who are five points adrift and doomed for the drop.

But conversely, that expectation puts pressure on this game.

Nothing less than a win will be acceptable, particularly after the last two results and the patchy home form.

In the league, it’s one win in eight at The Hawthorns, and two wins in 11.

In isolation, defeats to Middlesbrough and Sheffield United are hardly unacceptable, but Albion have drawn too many games on their own patch.

Twelve teams have a better home record this season.

They desperately need to avoid another damaging stalemate tomorrow against a team with three draws in their last four games.

In all honesty, Darren Moore could probably muddle through this fixture with the same system and personnel he has used in recent weeks.

But after the last two games, supporters need proof that lessons are being learned.

It’s important the coaching staff address the weaknesses in their team, even if the visitors may not have the weapons to punish them.

Matt Phillips’ return from injury will provide a much-needed injection of pace, but there’s no reason why Jacob Murphy can’t add even more, if fully fit.

He scored two goals in his first three starts and was improving each game before his injury.

The crucial selection will be in midfield.

For the past few weeks, the front men have been too detached from the rest of the team, but James Morrison could provide a link between the midfield and the attack.

Albion have struggled to break down visitors to The Hawthorns recently, and are crying out for a No.10 to pick the lock.

What system Moore plays will be closely scrutinised by supporters, who will also be desperate to see Dwight Gayle played in a central role.

Kieran Gibbs is unlikely to feature as he recovers from a hip problem, but Tosin Adarabioyo struggled at left-back against Leeds.

Playing a natural full-back in Conor Townsend or even Chris Brunt, who spent two years there under Tony Pulis, would be better bets in that position.

Moore insists you can ‘split hairs’ between teams at the top and the bottom of this division, but the truth is that Ipswich shouldn’t provide the same test that Leeds did.

Despite that, there is pressure on this game, and Albion have struggled to deal with that in their last two.

If they harbour any hopes of putting together the sort of relentless run necessary to worry the top two, it has to start here.

Likely line-up:

Subs: Bond, Bartley, Johansen, Field, Robson-Kanu, Montero, Edwards.

Ipswich (3-4-1-2): Bialkowski; Pennington, Chambers, Collins; Bree, Nolan, Chalobah, Kenlock; Bishop, Judge; Quaner.

The opposition: Paul Lambert refusing to give up

Paul Lambert may be refusing to give up, but the vast majority of Ipswich Town fans are now resigned to their fate.

Just like Albion, the Tractor Boys lost a damaging six-pointer last weekend, but theirs was at the other end of their table.

Last weekend, they had a chance of closing the gap to safety to six points, but their 2-1 defeat to Reading and Rotherham’s win over Blackburn left them 12 points from safety with 11 games remaining.

“Time is not on our side, that’s for sure,” admitted former Villa and Wolves boss Lambert. “But until it’s mathematically certain you never, ever give in.

“Your job is to try to win games. It’s still possible. It’s going to be really hard. But you never, ever give in.”

Unfortunately for Lambert, who took over from Paul Hurst earlier this season, a lot of other Ipswich fans have given in.

Legendary Ipswich player Terry Butcher told the East Anglian Times he’d like to see Lambert ‘have a real go at League One next year’.

Butcher admitted: “There are still games to go but that’s where we’re going to be. There’s no easy way of saying that.

“If we accept it we can move on and deal with it and see where we are next season.

“I’m looking forward to next season already. With the support that we have that will get behind the club on a different crusade, it’s exciting.

“We will go to places we haven’t been before and play teams we haven’t played before. It’s a new experience. Let’s get this season out the way and crack on.”

Ipswich Town have only won three games all season – that’s half the number of the next lowest.

Their away record reads, played 17, won one, drawn three, lost 13. They’ve failed to score in 11 of those games.

It was Hurst who started the season in charge after taking over from Mick McCarthy, but the former Shrewsbury manager loaded the team with League One players and underestimated the gap between the two divisions.

He was sacked in October after dismal start, but fortunes have barely improved under Lambert.

Last weekend’s defeat looks to have driven the final nail into the coffin.

“The mood in the dressing room is what you’d expect,” said Lambert. “You’re going to have that downbeat feeling. That’s normal when you lose. But you can’t let it fester because that brings everybody down.”

Injuries haven’t helped. Grant Ward and Freddie Sears, who was their bright spark, have suffered cruciate ligament injuries, as has Ben Morris. Emyr Huws and Will Keane are also injured.

“You have to get through these situations. Hopefully when we get a pre-season we can get everybody fit.”

It seems even Lambert is already looking towards next season.

The boss says:

Any result in this league is met with great joy because of how hard it is. I’ve taken pride in every one. You can split hairs between the teams at the top and bottom.

Memory lane:

Youssouf Mulumbu and Robert Koren scored in the first half the last time these sides met at The Hawthorns. Albion won the game 2-0 in August 2009.

Key man:

Albion’s lack of pace has caught up with them recently, but Matt Phillips is set to return from his niggle, giving the side some drive on the attack.

Danger man:

Alan Judge

A few years ago he was one of the most dangerous players in the Championship, but injuries took their toll.

Given a fresh start with the Tractor Boys, Judge is looking to rediscover his best form.

Has only scored one league goal this season, but is the creative hub Ipswich rely on and has a good eye for the pass.