Lewis Cox's West Brom analysis: Tony Mowbray will take much from watching brief as new era begins
Saturday was all about a new - yet so familiar - Albion boss and he will have left The Hawthorns feeling upbeat despite yet another draw.
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The 1-1 scoreline against Stoke means the Baggies, by the 27th Championship fixture of the season, have a draw ratio at higher than 50 per cent, with 14.
It has been the story of Albion's term, but a new chapter begins from today as Tony Mowbray gets stuck into the riddle of unlocking this squad as an attacking unit.
Really, the chapter started on Saturday as Mowbray visited the training ground, addressed players at the team hotel, the nearby Holiday Inn in Walsall, and even instructed his new troops at half-time while 1-0 down to the Potters.
The outcome may have been a case of more of the same but from a performance perspective Albion were much better than their struggling visitors and showed a willingness to attack time and again.
It was, perhaps, the type of performance Mowbray, watching on between Shilen Patel and Andrew Nestor in the directors' box, would enjoy from a side of his own, albeit one that lacked the clinical edge needed.
Obviously it is too soon to suggest the incoming head coach had any effect on the hosts' display and the extra forward-thinking emphasis, though Mowbray did speak to the side at half-time, so he can take some credit for a second-half equaliser!
The latest point was enough to, somehow, go sixth as rivals stutter in the play-off race.
There have not been many occasions this season the Baggies have mustered 23 shots at goal, though the caveat must be added only four were on target.
