West Brom's Wigan draw could have been better

Albion blogger Jarrod Hill saw positives but cannot hide his disappointment that the Baggies could not get 'all six points' against Wigan at the Hawthorns.

I must admit I am a little disappointed this morning, a draw at home to Wigan last night might not be the end of the world in a 'six pointer' game but we desperately wanted a win.

Having to score three goals to win a game is still hindering our campaign and our set piece hoodoo lives on. However, I was taught as a kid if you can't win a game ensure you do not lose it and, after trailing 2-1, it was good to see us fight back.

Wigan created few chances in open play but, as we have seen on so many occasions this season, our opponents cashed in on a set piece.

It was a remarkable swing in momentum after we had scored a great goal through Peter Odemwingie. It came early and, after the first 10 minutes, I thought we were going to steam roller Wigan.

But their equaliser completely took the wind from our sails and it wasn't until the introduction of Marc-Antoine Fortune in the second-half at 2-1 down did we put Wigan under consistent pressure.

It was good to see Fortune score and he looked bright and confident when he came on. In fact, all three substitutes made a good contribution to our comeback.

Albion's debutant Carlos Vela had a bright game before tiring and his replacement Somen Tchoyi was his unpredictable exciting self, even if he needs to work on his final delivery.

Wigan's wingers, Charles N'Zogbia and former Albion loanee Ben Watson, caused us constant problems giving both Gonzalo Jara and Marek Cech an uncomfortable night.

But, when Jara limped off and Steven Reid replaced him, I thought we looked a lot more solid.

I must admit I see Nicky Shorey and Steven Reid as our two best full-backs and, although Reid has been injured, Shorey's continued absence confuses me. Cech may offer more going forward but, let's face it, it's not our forward play where our problems lie.

Countless times last night, our Slovakian international was caught out of position and both our full-backs gave away too many free kicks in dangerous positions.

Cech certainly wasn't on his own in having a poor game, Chris Brunt had another indifferent game and I am unconvinced that a midfield that has him, Jerome Thomas, Simon Cox, and Carlos Vela in it has enough physical presence or steel to cope with a fiery six pointer.

Jonas Olsson had a poor game in regards to his distribution, which is normally very good, but his defending and will to win was there for all to see. Olsson and Youssouf Mulumbu can hopefully inspire the artisans within the team to show some of the same grit.

Although a draw wasn't ideal, there were still plenty of positives to take from the game. By coming from behind the boys showed they may have the stomach for the fight and the performances of Thomas, Mulumbu, Odemwingie, Vela and all three substitutes were good.

The draw keeps us just out of reach of the bottom three in the Premier League and, if we can get anything at Manchester City, we can go into another critical home game with a bit of form and confidence.

As I am on a good run prediction wise - predicted a draw in yesterday's blog - I am going to stick my head on the line and predict we will get something at City!

And, no, I am not still drunk before you ask!