Championship play-off state of play with West Brom fate back in own hands

Last week's last-gasp defeat at Bristol City - and a late win for Coventry 24 hours later - meant Tony Mowbray's side trailed sixth place by five points.

There was a down-in-the-dumps mood, certainly among the fanbase, and little optimism remaining that Albion could win four or possibly all five remaining fixtures to fight back for the play-offs.

Three straight defeats had come at almost the worst time for Mowbray's men but the feeling was at least in part put to bed with Saturday's 2-1 victory over Watford.

And Baggies spirits were lifted further as chief rivals Coventry dropped points in dramatic fashion on the road at lowly Hull on Monday night.

A Matt Grimes deflected effort gave Frank Lampard's visitors the lead early in the second half in Humberside, but Hull's Abu Kamara struck eight minutes from time for an equaliser.

A point leaves Coventry three clear of Mowbray's men directly below them ahead of a mouth-watering clash at the CBS Arena on Good Friday.

Albion's victory and events elsewhere have placed the emphasis back on the Baggies and their squad.

A three-point deficit and a superior and a goal difference - of plus 12 - seven superior to the Sky Blues means a win in Coventry leaves Albion in charge of their own fate.

It would be wrong not to mention Middlesbrough and Millwall, who in eighth and ninth are level on 60 points with Albion. Fifth-placed Bristol City, one point ahead of Coventry, have a testing clash at home to Sunderland on Friday.

Mowbray is sure to get a warm reception at his former club, where he spent a year-and-a-half at the helm between 2015 and 2016 and help secure League One safety.

But the Easter atmosphere promises to be a white-hot one at the Sky Blues' home with a huge crowd expected, including a sold-out 3,000 away end despite the scandalous pricing at the CBS, where adult tickets were priced at £37.

Baggies supporters who forked out, though, will probably be glad they did as they head to what looks the biggest game of the season for Mowbray's men.

The final three fixtures after Coventry are Derby at home on Easter Monday, a trip to Cardiff on Saturday week and a final-day home clash with Luton.

Those sides are currently fourth-bottom, third-bottom and second-bottom respectively. It is extremely tight at the foot of the division. The trio are fighting for their lives with everything on the line - but across the season they are three of the four worst sides.

Mowbray stressed his confidence his side can win all their remaining games.

All that is a side note at the minute, however, and all that matters is Albion go to Coventry and do the business with for three points. A draw just about keep hopes alive.

To make the cut, Albion must add to just one away win since September and win back-to-back games for the first time in seven months. Despite those shocking stats, it is back in their own hands.