[Blue Baggie]

I have read all the recent comments on this thread with interest and there is one thing that never comes to the fore.
None of The Baggies opponents ever get any credit if they take a point or points.
If West Brom do have the best squad in the division ‘by a country mile’, are teams going to stand off and let them play?
That’s not how it works I’m afraid. Maybe Sheff Utd did shut up shop after scoring but surely they should get some plaudits for holding on for a win.
Yes, West Brom couldn’t break them down and it’s been a while since I’ve seen so many passes cut out. When Gayle got to the by line on the right late on, his cross was no where near a team mate, but there were plenty Blades defenders there. Maybe the opponents deserve some credit.

Big Dave has got the team in a better position than most expected and it was never going to be easy to go back up in what is traditionally a very tough league.
Leeds losing at QPR has put another slant on it too now. Let’s give the team the support and see where it ends.

I think that's a very fair point, we cannot assume that we will just steamroller the opposition, we do need to give credit where it's due. My concern is that this should be obvious to our management/coaching team, namely that sides will come to the Hawthorns and resolutely defend whilst catching us on the break (or being gifted a goal by our continued desire and undoubted inability to play from the back), yet, although we know this, every week there is no creativity or pace to break down such defending. Nothing changes and teams have worked us out at the Hawthorns. I've read elsewhere that some supporters are blaming this failure at win at home on the lack of encouragement from the fans; what a load of tosh! I'm sorry but I think this comes down to a failure to recognise that playing away and playing at home requires a change of approach and an adaption to the tactics of the opposition. I believe the blind optimism of Dave and Graham will cost us. I'm sure we'll make the play offs but I reckon that's our limit.

No question about it Darren has got the team higher then the majority expected (me included) From my own point on view his attempt on a quick return to the PL was wrong. The focus this season should have been on removing the dead wood and bringing the youngsters into the 1st team and a rebuild should have been undertaken. TBF he has done some of this, but spoilt it by signing old timers who directly restricted the youngster chances. If we get promotion I will accept he was correct with his management and I AM WRONG. However if we fail to go up, further culling of the stars and more new signings will be required. We have in reality only signed 4 players Bartley / Townsend / Johnstone / Bond. It's going to be really interesting to see who comes in to replace the big list of the players who will be leaving at the end of this season. The tactics and weaknesses I fully recognise can't be sorted at the drop of a hat. But this season should have used to establish the issues and working towards having a young vibrant team. I would have been very happy to finish outside the play offs if we were progressing. I'm not convinced the 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 have been the real issues either. Darren will be around for a while longer that's for sure, stability is to be admired if improvement is underway.