This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

The pressure is building considerably on second placed West Bromwich Albion, after Brentford cut the gap down to two points between them as they comfortably dispatched Reading 3-0 last night.

Bilic's men head into this evening's game at Hillsborough knowing that anything other than three points could jeopardise their position in the top two, come the weekend's fixtures.

So, with this in mind, do you fear for the Baggies' status in the top two?

The team here at Football League World offer up their views....

George Harbey

They simply cannot afford to drop points in their next couple of games, as Brentford are in red-hot form and I can see them catching West Brom the way things are going.

West Brom were hugely impressive before the EFL campaign was brought to a halt, and I thought they'd be even stronger with Grady Diangana returning to the side following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury, but they just haven't shown any threat in front of goal whatsoever.

They have looked slow and laboured against Birmingham and Brentford, and all of a sudden their gap between themselves and third have been cut down to just five points, and the pressure is now on them to perform despite looking very likely to win automatic promotion before the season was suspended.

They still have some really tough fixtures still to come, so I don't believe that they can afford to rest on their laurels, and they need to get a win under their belt as soon as possible.

Alfie Burns

I think you’d be daft not to fear for the Baggies at this stage. Bilic’s side are bang off the pace and it doesn’t look like it is going to be easy getting things back on track.

It’s one thing losing games, but it is the manner in which Albion are losing them at the minute. They are toothless in attack and hardly creating anything. Simply, four games without a goal at this stage of the season is remarkable.

Brentford are motoring along nicely in-behind them and Leeds have a chance to pull away, with both sides piling the pressure on before Bilic’s side take to the field at Sheffield Wednesday.

There has to be a reaction at Hillsborough and whilst Bilic will play things down, he will be feeling the heat somewhat as the season approaches crunch time.

Garry Monk’s side have a buzz about them now and might spring a surprise at Hillsborough. It’s a tough time for the Baggies and I fear it’s going to get tougher.

Can you identify these 16 West Bromwich Albion players by looking at these pixelated images? Have a go now!

 

George Dagless

If they lose to Sheffield Wednesday I do.

Momentum at this stage of the season is absolutely vital and the Baggies have next to none in all honesty.

Brentford are showing what can be done by getting on a hotstreak at the right time, whilst Nottingham Forest have also started in decent fashion.

If Albion lose to the Owls this week and those below them get results, I really think they are going to be in trouble, with big games against Fulham and Derby still to come.

However, I am going to back them to get a result against Wednesday and that will see them okay in the end.