After an uninspiring start to life at The Hawthorns, Steve Bruce must have wondered what he had got himself into by penning an 18-month deal at West Brom.
However, for the first time since December, the Baggies appear to be on an upward trajectory after taking four points off leaders Fulham and third-placed Huddersfield Town.
While West Brom had to fight back from two goals adrift against the latter, they were superb against Fulham on Tuesday night, prevailing 1-0 and keeping a clean sheet against the division’s free-scoring pacesetters.
Down in mid-table, West Brom remain considerable outsiders to regain a spot in the playoffs, but another three points at the weekend would leave the teams above them looking over their shoulder.
The West Midlands outfit have also scored in three successive matches for the first time since October, Callum Robinson’s decisive strike against Fulham ending a two-and-a-half-month wait for another league goal.
When Bristol City recorded a shock win at Blackburn Rovers last weekend, supporters would have had high hopes of finally posting two wins in a row for the first time this season.
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However, the Robins were second-best against rejuvenated Barnsley, whose two early goals inflicted a 19th Championship defeat of the season on Bristol City.
Now at risk of ending the season no higher than 18th position, Nigel Pearson is aware that his prospects of remaining as Bristol City boss in the long term are low, and he desperately requires a positive response.
Although his team got back on track at Ashton Gate during the middle part of the campaign, consecutive 2-1 defeats have been posted against Coventry City and Birmingham City respectively
