Lewis Cox analysis: Travel sickness could affect final destination for West Brom

There is no hiding or mistaking where the Baggies’ big on-pitch problems are at the moment. And it’s nothing new, the form away from The Hawthorns has been mixed at best since Corberan took over and the current run is proving a challenge.

Norwich weren’t that much better at Carrow Road on Saturday – but they were certainly better in the final third. They were clinical in front of goal. Albion weren’t.

Josh Sargent and Jonathan Rowe made no mistake in front of goal after 13 minutes and 19 minutes from time. On both occasions Albion were on top in the game. Corberan made his side aware of the hosts’ counter-attacking prowess, but the ponderous visitors couldn’t find a way to stop Norwich slicing through them.

Albion are finding it very difficult to score away from home at the moment. But a soft underbelly is allowing hosts to find a way through.

That is now four defeats in five on the road and just four victories from 14 in the Championship on Albion’s travels this season.

It is painfully clear those figures are going to be an issue when it comes to the top-six hunt. The simple bottom line is that Corberan and his staff must find a way to spark a turnaround.

The Hawthorns record both last season and this has been the bedrock of Albion’s success under the Spaniard and continues to be after four wins on the spin either side of the new year.

But the disparity between the home and away form is too stark. The home record is fifth best in the Championship – the away return of just four wins is down in 16th in the away standings.

So what is the answer? It’s not as simple as a magic wand or fixing things in one fell swoop with a tweak.

There are several theories that Albion potentially line-up in a different way away from The Hawthorns. That Corberan opts for a different shape, different tactics and instructions.

But the head coach doesn’t give that impression when discussing pre or post-game analysis.

The factor that cannot be measured, or overlooked, is a mindset and mentality when away from the home comforts in the Black Country.

It’s a bit of a snowball effect. Nobody expects the away form to be as good as that at home. If it was the Baggies would be running away with it with Leicester.

But the more the away fixtures roll on and Albion limp to indifferent displays, where they find themselves getting caught all too easily, the more heads will drop and players will question their capabilities at picking up the results on the road.

Corberan’s side were really sharp for 12 minutes in Carrow Road. There was one side in the game, playing sharp, incisive, imaginative and vibrant football. Norwich looked nervous and unsure and couldn’t find a way out. But Okay Yokuslu gave away a poor blind pass and Kenny McLean’s excellent through ball released Sargent to slot in. Back to front in the blink of an eye.

Albion were too open. Yokuslu struggled badly for half hour and it transpired he had a back spasm in the warm-up and was clearly struggling. He came off after 35 minutes.

Regardless, it was visibly clear to see the Baggies rocked after falling behind. A case of ‘here we go again’. Repeats of Swansea, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and more. Recent, unhealed scars.

To Albion’s credit they improved after a talking to at the break and, as Corberan rightly said, the moments after half-time were decisive. John Swift, whose influence was limited overall, sent a shot unmarked in the box just wide from 10 yards from Jed Wallace’s cross. Swift, with his ability and technique, had to hit the target. That would’ve changed the dynamic of things.

Andi Weimann played a role in the improvement with a good impression as a half-time substitute. He was bright and creative and showed a willing to make things happen on a lively debut.

The game was gone by 2-0. Or at least it felt it. But sub Daryl Dike had two good openings himself. More examples of not making the moments count.

Wolves and the Black Country Derby next and Albion’s fitness issues are piling up. Jayson Molumby faces months on the sidelines. Adam Reach injured his ankle and will miss out. Yokuslu should be fine, so should Tom Fellows. Albion are at home, so will feel invincible. But that is a feeling they need to try to replicate on their travels.