West Brom fan favourite addresses 'flat' atmosphere and issues Hawthorns rallying call for play-off run in

Discussions and debates have thrown up a number of reasons for not just a flat atmosphere at times, but also big numbers of fans leaving the ground early.

Albion's fourth season in the Championship, style of play under the previous manager and expectations are three reasons that have arisen when the topic of the Hawthorns atmosphere has been raised.

There have been exceptions in recent weeks, like the last gasp winner over Sheffield Wednesday and the second half heroic defensive display against QPR with Albion down to ten men.

But most Albion fans will have noticed a tense, flat atmosphere in games, certainly this season - and it hasn't gone unnoticed by the players either.

A couple of Baggies players have been seen geeing up the crowd mid game, with Jayson Molumby being one of them.

The all action, tough tackling Baggies midfielder is fast becoming a cult hero in the eyes of some fans - with the Republic of Ireland midfielder regularly serenaded by the fans' own version of Zombie by The Cranberries.

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It is something the international has obviously picked up in games, along with the The Hawthorns atmosphere, which he spoke about in an interview with the club.

Molumby explained how a tense and nervous atmosphere can be felt around the ground at times, and described how it does impact the players.

But he believes that when the ground is rocking, there is no tougher place to go in the Championship than to Albion.

He said: "It's been a nice touch at The Hawthorns hearing The Cranberries playing at full-time on a few occasions this season, but there have been times where it hasn't been like that at home.

"Things have gone flat, which is a shame because when the atmosphere is rocking like it was against QPR when we were down to ten men, we could feel how behind us they were and it really does help us massively.

"Frustrated groans and nervousness can affect us on the pitch, but when the noises around the ground are loud and positive, The Hawthorns is as tough a place as any in the league to come to.

"So, we absolutely need the home fans on our side for the remainder of the matches this season."

The high energy midfielder is in his fourth season at Albion, the first being a loan move before that switch from Brighton was made permanent.

His stock has grown at Albion under various managers and with the supporters - and back in January he penned a new three and a half year deal at the club.

Under Tony Mowbray, he has remained an almost constant in the Albion line-up that is vying for a play-off spot and promotion to the Premier League.

And that is Molumby's ultimate goal as the midfielder insists he understands what is expected from him and his team-mates.

He added: "I'm loving it here and we want to go on and achieve something together.

"I've been at Albion for a long time now and I understand the club, its fans and what is expected.

"The main thing for me is playing regularly and I'm happy to be doing that, playing plenty of games and I feel really happy at Albion currently."