ROBERTO Di Matteo is taking nothing for granted as his men kick-off what he has described as a 'big, big month' with a trip to lowly QPR tomorrow (ko 3pm).
The Baggies sit second in the table after 33 matches, two points ahead of nearest rivals Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.
Albion have only been beaten twice on their league travels this term and the Hoops lie in 20th spot, just three points above the drop zone.
But Di Matteo remains cautious due to the unpredictable nature of the Coca-Cola Championship - and the impact of new boss Neil Warnock, who will be looking to change the fortunes of a Rangers team that has lost six of their last seven games.
"Derby were towards the bottom and they won against Forest and Newcastle recently," said the Baggies head coach, whose side snatched a 2-2 draw with an injury-time Simon Cox strike in the reverse fixture in December.
"It's difficult to predict.
"You play a bottom team and everybody expects you to win.
"We are probably expected to win every game but it doesn't always work like that.
"The Neil Warnock appointment was coming.
"It wasn't a surprise to anyone and it will lift the atmosphere and environment down there a little bit."
The visit to Loftus Road is the first of seven games in March that could make or break their season in the quest for automatic promotion.
Di Matteo added: "We have seven games this month starting tomorrow, so again it is a big, big month.
"We just need to pick up points and get a win here and there, maybe a draw, and try to be in a good position where it's in our hands over the last few games of the season.
"You have a look at other teams' games but you can't influence them.
"You can only influence your own performance.
"We are very much focused on ourselves but you do have a little glimpse at who the other teams are playing."
The Hawthorns chief also feels his team are well equipped to deal with the pressure in the closing stages of the season, having carried the burden of expectation all term.
"We had the pressure on us from the start so it's not like it's something new to us," he said.
"It's been part of our season so far so it might be a help that we are used to it and we deal with it."
