Albion's away form has been a pain in the neck since Steve Thomson arrived at the club but the Glaswegian is hoping for a change of luck at Walsall tomorrow night (Tues) on the 200th League start of his two-country career.

The Seagulls lost 1-0 at Northampton on Thomson's away debut following his January move back south from Falkirk. A couple of late goals turned a 1-0 win into a 2-1 defeat at Cheltenham and Albion's poor run on the road continued at Carlisle on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 on Thomson's return from a neck injury.

The central midfielder last played at Walsall four years ago for Peterborough in a 2-1 defeat. Thomson knows Albion can ill-afford a similar result if they are to maintain aspirations of grabbing a play-off place.

He said: "It's a tough place to go and it's a big game for us again. The next five or six games will make or break our season, whether we are just going to fizzle out or go for the play-offs, and we need to pick up points from games like this.

"The home form has been really good. We need to pick up on the road if we are to make the play-offs, which is what everyone wants.

"Since I have been here I think we have been a little bit unlucky. Cheltenham away was unbelievable.

"I felt we should have won at Northampton and, although on Saturday Carlisle played well, we had chances to go in front and then maybe defend and take something."

Thomson has not enjoyed the best of fortune over the past week. A stiff neck ruled him out of the 4-2 home win against Gillingham and he inadvertently played a role in Danny Graham's opener for Carlisle.

He said: "It took a deflection off me then it hit their boy on the chest or face or something like that. We started the game well and had a couple of chances. The result was a little bit of a setback for the boys but we are feeling good.

"My neck is all right now. I must have just slept funny. I was going to give it a go against Gillingham but once I got to the ground I just couldn't move it at all. I've been to see the osteopath and it's a lot better."

Thomson ended the Carlisle match as captain - a role he occupied at Falkirk - after Nicky Forster was taken off in the closing stages.

Manager Dean Wilkins is pleased with the contribution the former Crystal Palace midfielder has made so far in tricky circumstances.

Wilkins said: "He has settled in well. It has been slightly difficult for him because we have chopped and changed in that area of the pitch more than any other to try and find the right solution. Successful sides are often based around partnerships but he's an extremely strong character and a very good pro."

One of Thomson's past partners, Adam El-Abd, also reaches a landmark tonight.

El-Abd, now back in the centre of defence alongside Tommy Elphick, will be making his 150th appearance for Albion.

"It's gone quickly," El-Abd said. "I didn't think it was that many but it's surprising how time flies when you are having fun!

"I don't think there was too much wrong with our performance at Carlisle other than not getting the rub of the green. We have played a lot worse than that and won games.

"I am sure we can turn things around at Walsall and get a positive result.

"We still have ambitions to make the play-offs and we feel we can be in amongst it but we have got to start picking up some wins.

"It's a massive game for us, with them in fifth place. We have got to try and drag them back down closer to us."

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