Too much too soon, embarrassing and big questions for Ramsay: West Brom talking points after five goal Norwich hammering
Just when you thought Albion's season could not get worse - it took a nosedive at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night.
It was a relegation six pointer, a night where Albion had to turn up and at least fight and battle. They did neither. They served up the worst second tier result since 1990 - and shipped five goals in only Eric Ramsay's second game in charge.
It was woeful, it was a disgraceful result and it leaves the Baggies in a perilous position. Jonny Drury looks at a few points to come from Albion's Norwich horror show:
Too much too soon
It is clear Ramsay has tried to change things to turn the side for Albion.
He had to, they were dropping like a stone under Mason. A lot of that was on the road, and they were only losing by the odd goal in games, but something needed to change.
But has the Baggies boss changed it too much too soon? Switches to back fives, Mikey Johnston at right wing back on Friday, followed by Isaac Price on Wednesday.
Price in there is understandable, he's done well there before.
But, the change of system, change of personnel, is it too much too soon?
Maybe it is, and there has to be re-think of some sorts heading to Derby.
'Not fit to wear the shirt'
For all the flack that will quite understandable head Ramsay's way after that, the big question marks have to be around the players.
The chants and boos were not directed at the new Albion head coach, he has been in post for a matter of days.
That result largely has to be put at the door of the players.
'You're not fit to wear the shirt', rung out around The Hawthorns at 3-0. It was even louder at 5-0 and full time.
The character, the fight, the desire of some of these players has been questioned at times under Tony Mowbray, under Ryan Mason and now under Ramsay.
They have to take blame for a result like this. Yes, the manager has to as well, but you can set up in any system you like. If you don't show the basics, you'll get nowhere
They should be embarrassed by that and I am sure they are. A side tipped for a play-off push getting beaten 5-0 at home is just woeful.
You need pride, passion, fight, a willingness to get in the trenches alongside your team mates in a relegation battle. We saw none of that.
Where does it go from here?
It is the million dollar question that many fans will be asking. Where does it go from here?
Well, if Ramsay can't find a solution it is the bottom three, that is for sure.
Some way, some how, he needs a response. Speaking in his post match press conference, he struck a balance between addressing how bad the result was and insisting he will find an answer to Albion's problems.
I will say for as much as I have hammered the character of the players, they have the quality to make it out of a relegation scrap.
But it is about that word above, do they have the character? The jury is back out on that after the Norwich horror show.
Digging in, showing some battle, showing some pride for the shirt, that is how they get out of this situation.
Albion show that, they get out of it. If they don't, it could be a long last 18 games.