Eric Ramsay reflects on ending 'difficult' first West Brom week with late point and shares 'unity' pride
Eric Ramsay hailed the sense of "unity" and "positivity" of his Albion side after a last-gasp point at Derby stopped the away rot.
Chris Mepham headed in a 96th-minute equaliser for a first away point in 11 games and a first under new boss Ramsay, who had lost his first two games in charge.
The late drama ensured a deserved share of the spoils and a much-needed response from the humiliation of Tuesday's 5-0 home capitulation against Norwich.
Patrick Agyemang put the Rams ahead just before the break following new goalkeeper Max O'Leary's error from a free-kick. Albion battled put an equaliser did not look forthcoming until the last-gasp header.
Ramsay highlighted the positive mood his troops took into the clash after successive defeats. He said: "Speaking openly from a human perspective - it's a tough week, isn't it?"
"I don't think anyone can look at my first eight, nine days here and see anything otherwise. I can't pretend it hasn't been difficult.
"To have gotten a point tonight was important for the group. Ultimately, what I reflect most upon with most satisfaction was the way in which we were able to handle that difficulty.
"In the very, very early stages of my time here I think we've been able to build a sense of unity amongst the staff and the players. We've had conversations this week that have been tough.
"They've drawn a line very clearly between what's good enough and what's not good enough. I think we all came into this game feeling positive again.
"I think that's a really important quality of a group and something that I have to be able to provide as a coach, no matter what happens between now and the end of the season.
"We have to enter every game feeling positive, feeling like we can win we did that. In spite of the difficulty for the first goal, we're able to stay in it and overcome it."
Ramsay felt his troops warranted a point and that the Baggies defended well aside from the Derby goal, otherwise limiting the hosts to just one shot on target.
It was a first away Championship point for relegation-battling Albion since the 1-0 win at Norwich on October 1. The visitors were seconds and millimetres - with the goal given via goalline technology - from a record-equalling 11th straight away league reverse.
"I felt like we deserved at least a point over the course of the game," Ramsay said.
"We had real control from a defensive perspective, which was really important on the back of what we've experienced in the last couple of games.
"And we showed a real resilience organisation and a real sense of discipline. Ultimately, that's what gives us a platform to draw the game."
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