West Bromwich Albion are enjoying being back to winning ways after two consecutive victories in the Championship that has enabled the Baggies to get back into the race for automatic promotion back to the Premier League next season.

Valerien Ismael will be buzzing that his side are coming back into form and finally scoring goals, which has now put the side just three points behind Bournemouth in second, and five points behind top of the table Fulham, taking some much-needed pressure off the shoulders of the Baggies manager going into the Christmas period.

Despite the run of fine form for the side, one player is not hitting the expectations needed to maintain his place in the side, and Ismael should be looking to axe the player from his team.

Jordan Hugill has failed to make an effective impact on the West Bromwich Albion side, scoring only once in 1004 minutes played this season which is absolutely shocking for a number nine, especially when the Baggies are needing to take every opportunity to stay at the top of the table.

Former West Brom player, Kevin Phillips, has now weighed saying the striker "hasn't stepped up" for his loan club this season;

“Players, like Hugill, haven’t stepped up to the plate and taken their opportunities. I thought if he got a run of games, he would score goals. It’s a slight concern but there’s still plenty of time left this season and hopefully, he can score a couple of goals and his form will pick up to help West Brom.”

The 29-year-old's lack of progression during the first half of his loan deal hasn't gone unnoticed by the manager, Ismael, either and he spoke out recently about Hugill;

“Since he came he’s tried to give everything,” Ismael said. “There are some situations which have been unlucky for him.

“At the end of the day, as a number nine, you need to score goals and this is why you get your money."

The £1.6m-rated flop could be a liability for Ismael if he doesn't find a way to inspire a run of good finishing for the striker, or he could let him go back to Norwich early and go hunting in the transfer window for a more prolific goal scorer to join the side in the second half of the season.

West Brom will be hoping to continue to thrive in the Championship as they take on Barnsley on Friday and could close the gap completely on the second place promotion spot, which would reignite the belief in Ismael's reign at The Hawthorns.

In other news: Taylor Gardner-Hickman proves his worth to the team