West Brom debrief: Mowbray reception, a new style and a transfer must

Baggies correspondent Lewis Cox has a look through some of the key talking points on an emotional night on Teesside for the visiting boss.

Highlight

Modest Mowbray would not have wanted the occasion to be about him but even the 61-year-old could understand the spotlight being on him at the Riverside Stadium.

A brief five seconds just before kick-off will live long in the memory of those that witnessed it, including the small pocket of roughly 500 Albion fans tucked away in the far corner.

Mowbray emerged towards the edge of the away technical area to a moving standing ovation from all four stands. The home crowd then began to chant "there's only one Tony Mowbray". There was a banner held out which read "You won the biggest battle of them all" for the former promotion-winning Ayresome Park skipper.

It was a lovely exchange as the experienced manager replied with a typically understated round of applause. Just weeks ago Mowbray was doing media punditry work in the press box at the stadium. His family were in to watch at a stadium just 10 minutes from the Mowbray household.

Mowbray nor any Baggie would have wanted that moment to be the main positive memory from the start of a new era and the defeat was a disappointing one. But some things are more importantly than football, chiefly health, which is why that moment was so poignant. 

Adjustment period

Mowbray has vowed to change Albion's style from a defensive, safety-first and regimented approach used for more than two years under Carlos Corberan to something more expansive.

"Tickle its tummy" and "let players off the leash" were some of the promises from the returning boss at his media unveiling on Monday.

While the hope is always an immediate 'new manager bounce', Albion may have to wait some time to see a drastic change in style, mindset and, as a result, fortunes.

For parts of the clash in the north east the visitors looked a little unsure about exactly where they needed to be or how the instructions differed from what had become the norm. This is perfectly normal, Mowbray said the squad has been built and organised to be structured in a certain way, to think a certain way.

There were signs of progress. Forward passes were made where previously they may not have been. Albion built on 23 shots against Stoke on Saturday with another 14 here - the same as Boro. Just one was on target, though.

Interestingly, for the first time this season Albion lost by more than the odd goal in the league. Kyle Bartley's return to the backline will be a big help.

Mowbray hit the nail on the head after the Boro defeat when referencing the run of 11 draws in 12 games earlier this season. "It might as well have been seven defeats and won four - you'd have more points." Bang on. 

Window desperation

The shortcomings of the squad Mowbray has inherited are painfully clear. A common solution in football is often 'get a striker in' - but in the Baggies' case they are extremely light in that department.

Josh Maja's injury, expected to rule him out until some point in March, is bad timing from the incoming boss' perspective. Daryl Dike is understood to be closing in on a return, but how much stock can be put in the American's fitness and likelihood as a regular?

Karlan Grant has enjoyed a fine, fine season but his role without Maja has looked difficult so far. They could hardly be more different striking profiles.

Grant's other issue is he currently has no natural striker playing alongside him to help link play and occupy centre-halves. Grady Diangana has done it for the last two games and Diangana is not a player who plays on the highest line. He likes to, and thrives, dropping into pockets of space in deeper positions. Maja likes doing the same, but he still has an instinct higher up the pitch.

Grant was withdrawn at the Riverside with 25 minutes left to be replaced by Jed Wallace to lead the line. Wallace, struggling this season, is a winger.

Mowbray would not be drawn on window talk afterwards. Albion were in for Ipswich striker Ali Al Hamadi on what is understood to be a permanent deal but the move broke down after the frontman's medical. So it is back to drawing board in that regard.

The new boss will, for now, continued to plot routes to goal with the tools at his disposal.