West Brom debrief: Counter attacking Baggies, stacked at the back and away day blues banished

The latest victory at Stoke was arguably the most impressive one for Albion. A 1-0 victory on the road to the leaders that arguably should have been more - which came after a busy and frantic few days in the transfer window.

Although new signings had arrived - Albion had lost first team regulars in the form of Tom Fellows and Darnell Furlong. But a victory was the perfect ending to what had been a busy week for Albion.

Here are some key points to come from the victory in the Potteries:

Counter attacking Albion

Against Portsmouth - it very much felt like Albion dominated the ball in a game where they struggled to break down a very well set up Pompey side.

But in their three victories - much of their good attacking work has come from playing on the break.

On Saturday against Stoke - you wouldn't call it a backs to the wall type of display. Albion did have to soak up Stoke possession - but it wasn't like they were carving out chance after chance.

If anything, they hardly created anything meaningful. But what we did see, as we have done in other games, is that when Albion turn the ball over - they are lightening quick to launch attacks.

On a number of occasions, within ten seconds of clearing their lines they were in the attacking third and creating chances. On two occasions, they carved out really good chances they should have taken.

Solidly stacked at the back

Much has been made of the defensive display and rightly so because Nat Phillips and Chris Mepham were superb.

They headed everything but showed real composure as they marshalled the backline and kept Stoke at bay all afternoon.

It is refreshing to see Albion with two first choice centre backs of that quality - having lost Torbjorn Heggem and Kyle Bartley in the same window.

Add George Campbell to that who showed his capabilities at right back on Saturday - and there are other options there and that is before Krystian Bielik comes into the equation.

They are stacked in that central area now and not just with bodies - but with quality.

Midfield control

Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby have both enjoyed impressive starts to the campaign - and they have done that with Ousmane Diakite and Toby Collyer knocking on the door for a starting spot.

At Stoke on Saturday - both were calming influences in the middle of the park which at times isn't something you would associate with Molumby.

Mowatt is the glue that links everything together for Albion - and Molumby showed he can be that as well, always an option when Albion are moving the ball.

As well as having that solid base at the back - the two in front are looking equally as impressive so far.

Away day blues banished

The players receive the plaudits for Saturday and rightly so - but if the win was for anyone it was for the supporters.

Albion always have a terrific away following - and last season they were not presented with their rewards very often. The last victory on the road came against Hull in November.

But Mason's side have quickly banished those blues. Two wins from the first two games puts that to bed - and has given the travelling support something to shout about.

It is just one less thing to worry about for the players too. No doubt the failure to win away will have weighed on them - but two games in those worries have gone.