West Brom talking points: Strong Ramsay, big turning point and Diakite respect
Albion finally turned the tide of their away form as they picked up their first point on the road since October with a dramatic late goal at Derby.
It looked to be the same old story for the Baggies - a mistake leading to a defeat.
But Chris Mepham came off the bench to score as Albion snatched a point.
Jonny Drury looks at four points to come from the Friday night drama.
Strong hand from Ramsay
I think it was clear Eric Ramsay needed to make changes and he did. Persisting with Tuesday night’s XI would have been rewarding failure.
If we’re honest, if he could he would have been within his rights to change the whole side.
But it was five changes, and it showed that he won’t mess around.
He’s given those players a chance, they haven’t delivered and he switched it.
On the system, many were disgruntled to see it was a three/five at the back, but interestingly it was very fluid.
When Albion had the ball, it changed straight away into a four. It showed that Ramsay isn’t rigid with his system, he can tweak and change in game.
Mistakes yet again
The first period was good from Albion.
Ramsay got the response he wanted and so did the fans, they had something to get behind which has been in short supply.
The first period was very much not the best game - but Albion had the two big chances with Jayson Molumby and George Campbell.
It was good, they looked solid and controlled without the ball and looked okay with it.
But for all that and talk of systems and set up - the Achilles heel of mistakes reared their head again.
Derby had not even tested the Albion goal when Albion gave away a free kick following an awful mistake in possession from Mikey Johnston.
And then the cross comes in and Albion’s new keeper, Max O’Leary, brought in to cut out the errors we have seen this season, drops an absolute clanger.
It was classic Albion and just summed not just the situation up, but the season.
They managed to gain a late point - but they have to find a way of cutting that out. They have been costly and they can't afford anymore.
Could be a turning point
The first half was Albion with chances and then gifting Derby a goal. Same old story.
The second was a drab game, hardly any chances and they looked to be slipping.
But Albion from somewhere found something and nicked a late equaliser with Chris Mepham.
And that could well be a turning point, it has to be.
For all the goals they have conceded late on this season, they have managed to do it to someone else.
That is going to be absolutely massive for confidence and the mentality of these players.
It could well be the biggest point of the season.
You see it, how a scrappy goal can revive a campaign and a fanbase.
It was far from vintage, it wasn’t a great game but you need moments like that in a season where your luck is out.
Respect to Diakite
All of the chat around the game is the late goal, the changes, the system etc.
But a side note, and a very, very big one was the return of Ousmane Diakite amid the circumstances in his personal life.
He was given compassionate leave after the death of his brother, but returned to Albion this week and was straight back into the side.
And he put in a superb display as Albion battled back for a point.
There was nothing fancy about it, but he did his job and did it well.
Won it, put in big interceptions, played it simple and helped Albion to win the midfield battle with Molumby.
Among all the plaudits for Mepham and others with the late goal, Diakite deserves immense credit. Hats off to him.