Whether frustration and a possible sense of injustice can do the same remains to be seen.
But Seagulls fans will hope it IS indeed the case as their side face the old rivals.
It is one league win in 11 for Albion as they prepare to host Crystal Palace.
That run can also be read as one defeat in seven in league and cup.
But there has been too much disappointment of late, too many dropped points and too many near things, for the mood to be upbeat.
Unintentionally of course, it feels like a lot has suddenly been staked on facing a Crystal Palace side in a bad run themselves.
We know the debate which will intensify among those fans’ whose opinions we see and read should things not go well on Sunday afternoon.
But going into a Palace game full of optimism is not always the best way.
Certainly, there is something about this Albion side which suggests they embrace a bit of adversity rather more comfortably than they do expectation and optimism.
It is reflected in some of their results and also their record in games when leading and trailing.
Fans will recall the 4-1 win of two years ago as the bounce-back from a midweek 4-0 hammering at Luton.
It was the biggest win over the Eagles since they were seen off 3-0 in 2012-13 via two Leo Ulloa goals and David Lopez’s much-treasured free-kick.
That was a third successive home win for Gus Poyet’s side so good times.
Well, yes. But they went into that Sunday showdown with a sense of having a bit to prove given that their previous three games – all away from home – had brought one point and one goal.
The previous Saturday had seen the infamous 1-0 defeat at Bolton when Ashley Barnes was sent off for tripping the referee.
In midweek, they lost 2-1 at Barnsley with Luke Steele saving a penalty from Ulloa.
So a turbulent week and not the best run-up to the Palace game.
Albion drew 0-0 at Selhurst Park this season (Image: Simon Dack)
By contrast, hopes were sky high and the Amex was buzzing with confident expectation going into the 3-1 defeat in the first weeks of the Amex and the second leg of the 2012-13 play-off semi-final.
We have also seen games at Selhurst Park when Albion have been in good form, even aiming for top spot in the table on one occasion, but not really performed.
They won there when they were bottom of the table back in 2005-06 and again in 2018-19 when struggling and after losing Florin Andone in the warm-up.
So good build-up equals bad game and bad build-up equals good game?
Not exactly. They were winless in three ahead of the night they were smash-and-grabbed before empty stands in 2020-21.
David Lopez's famous free-kick against Crystal Palace (Image: PA/Gareth Fuller)
The 1-0 win three years ago, secured by Solly March, followed a 4-0 win over West Ham and a draw at Leeds.
And last year’s 3-1 home defeat was part of a bad run which had already seen a home draw with Southampton, defeat at Fulham and the ridiculous concession of a 2-0 lead at Leicester.
Albion have been so close to wins in the last two games, maybe this time the small margins can be tilted their way.
Law of averages? Forget that - football is a law unto itself.
The encouragement for Albion fans will be that, while not winning matches, their team are playing well at times.
The concern will be that, while playing well at times, their team are not winning matches.
Fabian Hurzeler told his pre-match press conference: “We won't change anything regarding our approach.
“I said it after the last game, it's about managing the key moments of the game better in certain moments because I think in the last two games it has cost us points.
“We analysed it and we definitely have to do better. And I take the responsibility for that, it’s something that we need to improve.
“But, overall, our approach will be the same. We will try to win this game for our supporters.
“We know the meaning of the game, that it's a big one for the club and for everyone.
“We see it as a big opportunity to bounce back and to stop this negative run.”
Negative run, negative mood, negative pretty much everything – at least outside the camp.
A win over Crystal Palace might not put all of that right but it would be nice to find out.