West Brom talking points: Mowbray scenes, a new front two & much to ponder for returning boss

Mowbray was unveiled to a superb welcome from the Albion fans before kick off, but Stoke threatened to spoil the party as returning Walsall loanee Nathan Lowe put them into an early lead.

But Albion created a number of chances before Grady Diangana's classy flicked finish early them a point.

Jonny Drury looks at some key points from a special afternoon at The Hawthorns.

An emotional return for Mowbray

There is no doubt the result was important in this one, but it felt like the football was almost the side show to be honest.

Prior to the game, the excitement around the ground was all focussed on the return of the much loved Tony Mowbray.

That was the story and it didn't disappoint. Mowbray met with fans before the game, posing for photographs before coming out onto the pitch 15 minutes before the game. He was met by a rocking reception, and arguably the loudest cheer heard inside The Hawthorns this season.

The fact Albion did then dig in and get a point made sure the day didn't finish on a bad note - but there was always going to be a huge air of positivity around Albion today, regardless of the result.

Credible display from new front two options - but they aren't Maja

In the absence of Josh Maja, Albion faced a bit of a conundrum at the top end of the field.

It seemed before kick off that it would be a lone front man of Karlan Grant but it quickly emerged that they were still playing with two up top, as Grady Diangana joined the party.

In the absence of Maja and no like for like replacement in the squad, it was a sensible call and at certain periods of the game it worked.

The pair both rotated as one dropped and one went in behind of vice versa. It was usually Diangana dropping in and at times in the game he did it superbly well. 

However, the pair linking well and Diangana impressing on his recall to the side, it is clear to see they are going to really miss Maja and his ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play.

It has been so key to what Albion have done this season, so taking someone like that out is always going to have an impact.

The two up there did well, but there is a clear need for re-enforcements in the window with other striker Devante Cole only being given a handful of minutes at the end.

Albion won't bring in someone who has the quality of Maja, that just won't be feasible especially in the mid season market.

However, despite that need for more bodies, there was promise from the switch to Diangana and Grant. It has opened up an option for Albion and it may well be the only one they have for the upcoming games.

Much for Mowbray to ponder

Mowbray watched on from the directors box and after it he will know his side really should have won the game, and the reason they didn't is because of a lack of quality in the final third.

It wasn't mistakes at the back, because aside from the goal Stoke didn't really look like they were going to score.

Albion dominated the ball in periods and got into attacking areas time and time again. However, they had over 20 shots and were only able to find the net once, with arguably their toughest chance of the game.

They had three or four clear cut chances that all went begging, and when certain forward players did get into really dangerous areas, the decision making was questionable.

The likes of Mikey Johnson and Diangana were dangerous and stood out, while Tom Fellows had a difficult afternoon despite being involved in much of Albion's build-up play.

Time and time again he was driving at his full back, but arguably made the wrong decision to come inside when he should have maybe gone on the outside.

Albion did lack that killer final bit of quality, if they displayed it, the game could have finished three or four. They showed enough to get a draw, but need to show more and they need to be clinical to get back to winning games consistently.

Mowbray will know that, however he will no doubt by excited by some of the promise and the creativity he saw. 

His challenge now is getting those flashes of quality that we saw from the likes of Johnston and Diangana, out of them on a regular basis, because in recent weeks that hasn't been the case.

But overall, Mowbray will be pleased and will no doubt now just be eager to get himself back in the dugout to put his stamp on this Albion side, that clearly has more gears to go through.