'It proves they play better that way': Statistic that reveals when Albion are at their best under Ryan Mason
Ryan Mason's West Brom have recorded three wins and two draws from their opening seven Championship games.
Those victories all came in the first four games - with Albion victorious on the opening day against Blackburn.
They followed that up with wins over Wrexham and Stoke - securing not just an away win but back to back away wins for the first time since early last season.
They have failed to win in their last three outings - with defeats at Derby and Middlesbrough followed up by late heartbreak against Leicester.
In the majority of their games it is hard to argue against the fact that Albion have been the better side - and in their victories, along with Friday's late draws which for many should have been a victory, there has been a common denominator. Jonny Drury looks into it.
'Less ball - more creative'
That is certainly the way I see it.
And there has also been something that has linked the majority of Albion's better performances - the games where they have looked the better side and should have taken all three points.
Aside from maybe the opening day against Blackburn - to the naked eye it has very much looked like Albion have been playing on the counter attack.
Whether they set up that way, or it has just occurred naturally, it has seemed that playing on the break has been Albion's way, certainly in their victories.
Against Wrexham, all goals were on the counter. The goal at Stoke didn't come that way - but the chances they created after that did.
And in all those games, the statistics kind of back this school of thought up. In their victories and then on Friday, Albion had less of the ball.
It was only marginal, but they did have less possession.
In the games when they have been left frustrated, against Portsmouth, Derby and Middlesbrough, guess what links those results? Albion had more of the ball in all three.
It has seemed that breaking down a low block and a set sitting deeper has been an issue. But if Albion have less of the ball, soak it up and attack - it seems to suit them better.
