Nigel Quashie outlines crucial games in West Brom’s quest for top-six finish

Former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Nigel Quashie believes their next ten league games will be crucial in determining whether his old side are in contention for the play-offs or not, taking to Twitter to express his thoughts.

Steve Bruce was appointed Albion boss earlier this month following the departure of predecessor Valerien Ismael, who was an extremely unpopular figure at The Hawthorns towards the end of his tenure due to his playing style and results.

They looked on course to secure their promotion back to the Premier League in the early stages of the season when they went unbeaten in their opening 10 league matches, moving to the top of the Championship at the end of that run in the latter stages of September with a thumping 4-0 away victory at then-strugglers Cardiff City.

Fast forward more than four months – and the mood couldn’t be any different with the Baggies currently sitting in eighth place after going winless in their opening two games under Bruce and are in real danger of falling further down the table with the likes of Sheffield United and Luton Town having games in hand over them.

This makes the next few months crucial as they look to secure a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, something they currently aren’t on course to do.

Ex-Baggie Quashie seemingly thinks Bruce’s men should forget about automatic promotion this season – but believes they can still be in the race for the play-offs as he outlined crucial games for Albion.

He tweeted: “A point to build on for Steve Bruce’s first home game in charge. It’s a scrap for the playoffs.

“The next 10 games – Luton, M/borough (Middlesbrough), Swansea, Hull, H/field (Huddersfield), Fulham, Bristol City, Birmingham, B/mouth