Comment: Is post-match positivity just part of Darren Moore's plan?

“We were in the ascendancy,” he claimed, before arguing the turning point of the game came when Dwight Gayle was tripped by Scott Malone through on goal.

Considering no penalty was given and Albion’s top scorer subsequently went off injured, there is an element of truth to his assessment.

But it was more than a bit stretched, because the Baggies were 2-0 down at the time, and his answers seemed to ignore the shortcomings of his side on a poor evening.

This isn’t the first time he has sugar-coated a performance after a match.

He believed Albion ‘dominated’ Middlesbrough at The Riverside, comments which also left observers scratching their heads after the 1-0 defeat.

That game could have swung either way, granted, but Albion did not dominate it.

It’s important to recognise that Moore has, by and large, given fair assessments of performances so far, and was particularly honest after they escaped St Andrew’s with a point despite being outplayed.

“Most of it was down to our own problems,” he said. “We gave the ball away needlessly.”

But there’s no denying that after two defeats, he has done his best to focus on the positives, almost surprisingly so. Which begs the question why?

There are arguably two reasons behind this approach. The first, comes from the character of the man himself, who is obviously reticent to criticise anyone in public, whether they play for him or not.

The second probably comes from his experience in football, and particularly what he and many others lived through at Albion last season.

Moore has witnessed first-hand the spiralling effect negativity has had at this club over the past 12 months.

Many of those players involved in that poor run are still at the club, still scarred by last season’s shambles, and potentially still vulnerable to another tail-off in form.

Moore turned the club’s fortunes around with his message of unity and got a group of beaten players to perform again with his determined and positive outlook.

He’s also sat in plenty of dressing rooms in his time – and will know the difference between positive and negative reinforcement on players.

What’s more, his demeanour is one that is reflected in his aggressive front-foot football.

In order for his style of play to succeed, players need to have confidence in it, need to be brave with it. Publicly questioning it or them may prove detrimental.

The danger is, though, that this approach to post-match analysis will alienate and infuriate a fanbase who want their head coach to deliver some home truths after a disappointing defeat, and tell it how it is.

Moore knows the importance of the 12th man, and has spoken at length about the role the fans have to play.

His positive sheen even extends to the supporters. When he was asked about negativity at The Hawthorns yesterday, he said: “What I thought was marvellous was in the 85th minute I could hear the Smethwick End singing ‘We’re the Albion’.

“I was delighted to hear that. For that to come when the result was what it was, I’m really pleased. The fans are doing their bit and getting behind their team.”

There will be those fans who understandably crave an acknowledgement of problems, and a promise to put it right.

But perhaps this is a by-product of having ‘the nicest man in football’ in charge of the club.

Moore himself has waved away the suggestion he is ‘too nice’ – saying there is also ‘an edge’ to him.

That ‘five per cent’ is something his No.2 Graeme Jones has also alluded to.

We are yet to see that five per cent in public, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there, and it doesn’t mean it hasn’t come out in private.

It’s also worth remembering Moore is new to all aspects of management, including the debrief with the media.

And let’s be honest, that is hardly the area of his job he should be focusing on the most.

Albion were taken for a rough ride by a sweet talker last season – that is partly why Moore is now in the hot-seat.

His character is, on the whole, a unifying one, and one that footballers want to play for.

That’s the most important thing, even if it does sometimes raise eyebrows after games.