West Brom comment: Tactics & selections mean absolutely nothing when 'given' qualities are missing

Albion, a side a little bit of form and out of sorts could have leaped back into the play-offs and into fifth with a win.

But they looked so far away from doing that for long periods at Ashton Gate, it was hard to think about how they are in the play-off race in the first place.

A narrow 2-1 score line does not tell the whole story, not one bit.

Granted, the Robins are a decent side who are overachieving in a bid to secure a play-off spot for themselves.

But in the first period, Albion looked lacklustre, lacking spark, character, lacking a will to dig in, roll their sleeves up and fight against one of their rivals for the top six.

In the second, it improved. They were gifted a way back in, they were gifted an equaliser then a four pronged substitution looked to have swung the momentum back in their favour.

But then a silly red card was followed by an inability to see it out and pick up what, on the face of the display, would have been a decent point.

As it happened, they conceded late yet again and are now six points behind Bristol City and three behind Middlesbrough in sixth.

By no means is the season over - but that display, certainly the first half and the end of the game was alarming.

Fans will be questioning Tony Mowbray and his tactics, like they have after the game, and he has a few questions to answer.

The decision to play midfielder Isaac Price in the middle of a three man front line, with Daryl Dike and Will Lankshear on the bench was a puzzling one.

But you can look at tactics, and systems and formations all you want. If a side lacks character, lacks the desire to really fight in a massive game like this, tactics and formations matter for very little.

Effort wise, I am always loathed to question a professional footballer's effort, but those other qualities, those other qualities that should be a given, that I have mentioned above are different.

Albion haven't showed them, and some players have been questioned for a lack of them under previous managers.

Like I say, the season is far from over with just three points to Boro. But on the evidence of what we have seen in recent weeks, can you see Albion getting back in there?