Albion blog: Points to prove
Following a set of very tough fixtures and a very respectable points haul, one cannot help but feel a slight ambivalence given the final outcomes...writes Albion blogger Duncan Hodgkiss.
I think this is a measure of how far we have come. Our evolution under Pulis is well under way and whilst he has his critics, we are now facing teams like Tottenham and Arsenal, going to West Ham and Liverpool and giving them a damn good game.
In all four of these fixtures we fell behind. Such is the spirit in the camp and the belief at the moment we gamely battled back. We focused on our strengths, refused to get flustered and should really have another six points to add to our tally.
Against Arsenal we rode our luck at times. Nevertheless; we took the game to them and defeated a serious contender for the title this season.
Against West Ham we were comprehensively outplayed in the first half. Whatever was said at half time worked wonders. We came out in the second half and quickly got back on level terms. We also proceeded to squander two glorious opportunities to win the game. West Ham were relieved to hear the final whistle.
Tottenham were also grateful with their point. They are a very good side but were not comfortable at all with our direct incisive play and our physicality. They were certainly put to the sword on that afternoon. We created the more gilt edged chances.
Liverpool huffed and puffed but didn't really create anything of note. On the couple of occasions they did, they found Boaz Myhill in imperious form.
Most teams in the league would expect to go to Anfield and surrender possession for lengthy spells and be pressed high up the field and concede chances. It took character and resilience to fight back and but for a cruel deflection deep into injury time, victory would have been ours.
The positives far outweigh the negatives. It's not just the results but the manner in which we have achieved them. I love to see the old phrases trotted out like us 'bloodying the noses of the big guns'. You get a real sense of defiance and refusal to accept the odds that are stacked against us.
These are the hallmarks of a Pulis led club and traits that were so desperately needed this time last year. He leads the way in this assault on the mighty and his obstinacy can be witnessed in his vehement defence of our players and deflection onto our opponents.
His handling of an unsavoury situation created by the clearly flustered Jurgen Klopp was exemplary. Klopp's lack of sportsmanship and his actions and comments following the event will have been noted. I'm pretty sure he will receive a warm Hawthorns welcome on the final game of the season, if he is still in charge of course.
Our current momentum is built on a collective team effort comprising of individuals with points to prove. From one to eleven, each individual has their own story. I'm pretty sure Pulis is tapping into this and extracting the very best in terms of desire, hunger and effort and producing the fine displays we are witnessing currently. Long may it continue.
Merry Xmas everyone. Duncan Hodgkiss
