Eric Ramsay insists Albion have to head into the coming week with the mindset of seeing it as a huge opportunity to move forward and away from the bottom three.
The Baggies, sat two points clear of the danger zone, have three matches between now and the end of February.
Ramsay’s team host Coventry City on Saturday lunchtime, take on Charlton Athletic at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night and travel to Oxford United next weekend, with nine crucial Sky Bet Championship available.
The boss accepts the next seven days are really “important” and has challenged his group to “grasp” the chance to drive up the division.
Eric said: “We are taking this week as a whole as very important. We’re at a stage in the season where every game has equal importance.
“It’s our home game tomorrow and there’s a potential for a big atmosphere. It’s a big day and we’re against top opposition. As I’ve said since day one and minute one, we’re focusing on what we can control and we’ll take tomorrow as it comes.
“We got a sense of having turned a corner in our two previous league games. Stoke and Birmingham were both difficult games in their own right, particularly the Birmingham one, and there was that sense of unity among the players and the fans.
“It’s a winnable game on Saturday. Any game in this division at home is a game we will target to win. We will play with that in mind. We’ve got to keep grinding away, stay level and trust that that first win is around the corner.
“We’ve got to make sure we look at tomorrow as an opportunity to win and not for it to be a threat for us to be in a position we don’t want to be in. That’s certainly the mentality that I have. It’s an opportunity to take a step forward. Tuesday is then the same, as is next Saturday.
“This week is a big opportunity. We have to grasp every game and every chance.
“There is scrutiny around our situation and a level of pressure. It’s important the way we play reflects that – there has to be a level of aggression, intensity and emotion, but there also has to be a level of calm-headedness and a constructive approach.
“There’s pressure on the game for both sides on Saturday for different reasons. We have to deal with our own pressure and make sure we’re ready to meet the challenge of playing Coventry.”
Eric also provided a fitness update when speaking to members of the media at The Fitlife Foods Performance Centre on Friday lunchtime.
The head coach added: “It’s an improving picture in terms of health. George is back in the fold and we were able to get through last week’s game at Norwich with a lot of the objectives we had from a fitness and minutes perspective.
“Whilst there are a number of niggles within the group, Chris Mepham still to come back and Josh Griffiths in a difficult position, we’re largely in a better position than we’ve been.
“Josh’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared. I’d say he’s doubtful to make the bench tomorrow, but he certainly won’t be too far away.
“We’ve followed the concussion protocol rigorously for Nat Phillips. He’s back and he’s available. He’s not had the cleanest of weeks in the build up to this game, but he’s certainly ready to go.”
