West Brom blog: Too many points dropped from winning positions

After the defeat to Bournemouth, it’s now a staggering 24 points that Albion have dropped from winning positions this season, writes Baggies blogger Nathan Carr.

A quite extraordinary number that, coupled with our current points tally, would have undoubtedly secured another year of top-flight football.

The team is clearly in a bad way mentally and that’s a direct result of winning so few matches for such a long time. Three wins from the last 41 games in the Premier League tells its own story.

There’s almost an air of inevitability that once Albion take the lead, capitulation will shortly follow. You could sense it after Salomon Rondon’s goal against Leicester.

You could sense it after Jay Rodriguez’s goal at the Vitality Stadium too.

There doesn’t appear to be any clear plan or strategy in place for how to manage the game from a winning position.

We’re not ruthless enough when on top. Instead of really putting opponents to the sword and searching for a couple more goals, we tend to sit back and invite pressure.

The question is how can this collective mental fragility be addressed?

It’s tricky because when you’re on such a miserable run, players’ heads drop and morale goes down.

Winning football matches would certainly help in building confidence and momentum. Although that’s easier said than done in our current situation.

I do believe the players must look at themselves and question what’s gone wrong.

There’s a big lack of leadership and accountability throughout the squad.

But part of Alan Pardew’s job – an important part at that - is to motivate the group and improve their mental strength by offering the right guidance, man-management and coaching.

Here’s hoping for three points against Burnley after the international break.