Dwight Yorke insists Sunderland are not too good to go down.
And Yorke – part of the caretaker coaching team put in place after Roy Keane's resignation – insists the players realise they are in a scrap and need victory.
"The league table does not lie," said Yorke. "We're down there because our performances have not been particularly great.
"People might look back and say we have not been particularly lucky. They might be right, but that is the nature of the game.
"With the talent we have around the place, there is no reason why we should be in this position, but we are and we know we've got to get out of this position sooner rather than later.
"No team is too good to go down. We've got good players but have had bad results."
West Brom are three points behind the Black Cats and have won none of their last nine league games – losing seven of them.
They are in danger of being cut adrift and will arrive at the Stadium of Light hoping to take advantage of the uncertainty on Wearside after Keane's departure eight days ago.
Yorke said: "It's a big one – we know that. If we play to our capabilities we're a match for anyone, but they will be thinking this is a very good time to our place and try to get a result.
"As players, we are just concentrating on football and not the situation the club has with looking for a new manager.
"We have some serious games ahead and we know that good results now could make life a lot easier around this place.
"But if results go against us, we could be in serious trouble."
Despite being asked, along with Neil Bailey, to assist caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia until a new boss is appointed, Yorke insisted it was business as usual for him.
"Nothing's really changed," added the 37-year-old. "I'm getting on with it as normal being the senior player in the dressing room and being involved in trying to make sure the players think positively.
"The only thing slightly different is that when the team is being selected I am being told a few things, but the decisions are not mine – that's up to Ricky and Neil.
"It is not as though I can pick myself!"