The Verdict: West Brom resilience cannot be questioned but bad traits will hold squad back
Albion have to improve in a couple of areas if they are to maintain the position - not least managing games at 0-0 and set-pieces, at both ends!
Albion are giving themselves too much to do.
The Championship is a tough enough beast - but when you are essentially beginning each week from a goal down, the task becomes far steeper.
That trait continued at the division’s bottom club on Saturday in biblical conditions at Preston North End’s Deepdale. The weather and pitch were not conducive to football but neither were an excuse.
North End are in terrible form but they have something to fight for under a new manager and Albion’s desire to fall behind gave the hosts some hope as an even contest wore on.
James Morrison expected a tough afternoon and suspected Graham Alexander’s hosts would not simply roll over.
The Hawthorns head coach is doing a brilliant job at the helm and a position of fifth after 12 games is excellent given the context of where Albion are.
Making an analysis required a level-headedness of what the expectations were for this young, new-look squad.
But, even so, it is hard not to be frustrated by the way the Baggies are giving their opponents a leg-up each week.
They have been able to get away with it often enough by sheer force of resilience and personality. Wrexham and Blackburn both felt they had Morrison’s troops where they wanted them - but no.
Six games in a row now the Baggies have shipped the first goal. It began with a home 1-1 draw against QPR before the Black Country derby defeat at Wolves and the international break.
That is more than a quirk or coincidence.
It is also eight from 12 Championship fixtures in which Albion have fallen behind.
Morrison and his staff will try get to the bottom of the issues but the likelihood is there is no one reason, per se, and more a mindset of not taking advantage early on in games.
The flip side to that, of course, is an impressive 11 points from losing positions.
That’s a decent statistic and points to a lot of character and a never-say-die belief - but it’s not a habit that will serve Albion well in the long-run or help Morrison’s side maintain a position in the play-offs.
This fledgling squad, and new-look attack, is not potent enough to score enough goals to win from behind.
It did against Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn seven days earlier but that was just the second time they have managed three goals in a Championship fixture this season. Indeed before Wrexham two weeks ago, the Baggies had not netted two in a game since August.
Now a more potent attack may yet develop.
Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s excellent early season form has fallen away somewhat, and Harry Whitwell’s bright start has faded.
Saturday’s goalscorer Aune Heggebo - once again off the bench to rescue his side - has responded well from a bleak period a month or so ago. Felix Horn Myhre is showing glimpses and Isaac Price is classy but cannot be overburdened.
Albion lack in areas - depth up front and in natural wide areas. It feels unlikely the goals will flow more at least until January, where additions could help.
That aside there is emphasis on Morrison and his highly-regarded coaching team to develop form, confidence and systems to bring the best out of an attack light of bodies.
Albion are not as light at the other end, however, and need to start protecting Max O’Leary more.
The goalkeeper has been excellent but does not have the clean sheets to back it up. He has just two shutouts all season. The club have three fine centre-backs at this level - George Campbell, Chris Mepham and Nat Phillips with the latter missing out at the moment - but at times they are too easy to score against.
Another huge issue is set-pieces at either end.
Albion are a big enough side but have barely threatened from them all season. At the other end, Saturday’s opener shipped to veteran Preston skipper Andrew Hughes was a calamity.
Morrison could not hide his fume at the manner his players parted in the penalty area.
Relief was palpable at full-time at Deepdale. It wasn’t an afternoon to live long in the memory with fans drenched in the treacherous conditions - but it would have been a particularly poor defeat given the hosts’ position.
No point away from home in the Championship is to be overly sniffed at. Three points were there for Albion to take and that is why this one grates, but the visitors will lick their wounds, accept their share of the spoils and move on.
Perspective helps show a bright outlook, but the path to improvement is clear.