West Bromwich Albion 1 - Liverpool 1

oshawabaggie:

The game was like our season - not awful, not great. Time perhaps for some sober (I use the term loosely) reflection. Compared to that sad outfit down the road, and Newcastle and Norwich for that matter, Baggieland should feel some mild contentment. Of course if we use Leicester as the benchmark, a club we could have been compared to a couple of years ago in terms of resources, then our season has been a disappointment. Even teams like West Ham and Southampton have pushed on where we have stood still.

We have spent thirty million in the last 12 months, so we can't blame JP for not putting his hand in his pocket, but the fact that the club is up for sale must have influenced the pervading mindset at the club. Staying in the Premier league at all costs would have been JP's mandate to TP. And that much he has achieved, as he constantly reminds us.

The debate is whether you can 'guarantee' Premier league status at a club with the resources of West Brom and play attractive football as well AND is TP capable of achieving both or is he a one trick pony? Much will depend on the players we manage to bring in.

The appointment of Nick Hammond seems to suggest that JP is not willing to risk his money in the hands of TP alone and who would blame him? The fifteen million we spent on Chester, Lambert and McManaman could have bought two thirds of Leicester. But to be fair, Evans, Fletcher, Rondon and even McClean, have been decent additions.

Our future appears to depend on two things; firstly JPs meeting with TP. Secondly, TPs relationship with Hammond. If TP is willing to relinquish some control and able to collaborate well with Hammond then we may see a reinvigorated Baggies next season. If not, TP may be gone - he has a history of throwing his toys out of the pram.

michael mills:

We remain in the greed league. Vile are humiliated. Should be happy, but I'm not. Pulis is not my West Bromwich Albion. His football is excruciatingly dull, and he has killed it for me.

For 18 months he chooses to play any right footed centre back, as left back. This and more leaves me totally disillusioned with his brand of football. I hope he moves on, and we once again try to win games, instead of trying not to lose them.

Brendan Clegg:

I was very disappointed on seeing the starting 11 and substitutes. Again no Morrison, Sess or McManaman even in the squad. This despite us not winning a game in a quarter of a season. A stark statistic - has another Albion manager ever in the EPL gone this long without a win and survived?

So once again it was only Leko's inclusion to look forward to.

I missed the pre-match awards but for my money - McAuley, Dawson and Yacob have been way out beyond anyone else as our players of the season for their sheer consistency and number of games. I'd probably go for McAuley simply because it is remarkable the way he his hit the same levels at his age. He'll be a giant to replace but this Summer we really have to try. Fletcher? Great pro, great game management, great captain and clearly still a very good footballer but far too often this season has been overwhelmed by better athletes and hasn't been as consistent as the aforementioned 3. He's not been great in this last quarter of the season has he?

We started OK. We struggled to get the ball but when we did get it, Leko again was our shining light. He lost the ball a fair few times in the first half but he seemed to learn well - he caused Liverpool problems early on so they doubled up on him, he mad the mistake of trying to take too many players on a couple of times before adapting and taking 2 or 3 doubled up players out of the game by releasing it smartly.

His central run and great pass to Rondon made the goal. He does look like he could play through the middle and certainly could have played Gardner's role today with somebody else creative on the wing if Pulis wasn't so busy playing subtext games with half his squad and the chairman. Rondon, possibly shocked by such a pass to feet let it run across his body but then finished really well.

From then on Liverpool stepped up a gear. In my opinion the game then became pretty much a one-sided training exercise as we struggled to get the ball. Our back 4 continued to do OK although when hurried and pressed, we had no full backs to pass to who could carry the ball out and Fletcher rarely offered a pass throught he middle so it was left to Olsson and McAuley to hoof it aimlessly.

During this period Yacob seemed to be playing midfield on his own, getting a toe in and trying to keep it. Leko offered hope whenever he got the ball and Rondon ran his legs off and fought for everything. Fletcher, McClean and Gardner in particular were anonymous. I'm not sure Gardner got over 10 touches in the first half. I'd love to know.

McClean managed to get a booking for a lunatic tackle and then for the Liverpool goal both he and Evans went steaming into no-mans-land. At least McClean tried to get back to recover while evans worked on his tan on the halfway line. Fletcher & Yacob, as we know, cannot keep up with a quick player running at 75% and Olsson and McAuley retreated to the safety of their box allowing Ibe to pass the ball into the far corner after running half a pitch.

2nd half we did improve. I can see why Pulis wanted Evans in the centre for Olsson. Olsson had mostly defended well as he does but we needed better quality on the ball. Unfortunately what Pulis giveth by moving our best footballer to the middle he taketh away by putting a Championship right-footed centre half at left back. I think Chester's first 4 touches were sub 10 feet passes to the opposition. Try McClean there? Play and actual left back maybe like the last time we won a game?

Despite this we stepped it up a bit - Evans did improve our quality and we managed to threated either through Leko or at set plays. Rondon was unlucky a couple of times but maybe should've scored another. McClean wasted good situations by wildly shooting or losing the ball or runnign into trouble. Gardner mis-controlled a decent opening.

It was good to see the other youngsters get a go although Roberts does look like he needs to develop physically a bit more. All 3 of them seem to be better footballers than a couple of our regular starters. Leko looks ready to have a big impact next year which has reduced my concerns about losing Sess a bit.

Player marks and season review

• Foster - 6 Could he have done better for the goal? Generally OK and has largely done well for us before and after the injury.
• Dawson - 6 Hasn't been embarassed by anyone this year, always gives everything, has obviosuly worked on the role and has improved. Did OK in this game.
• McAuley - 6 Some great recoveries yesterday and has been immense again this season. Delighted we have him for another year, we now must go all out to replace him in the summer and use next season to bed his repalcement in. Wil be some task.
• Olsson - 6 Given that Evans had poor first half whereas he defended well but was suspect on the ball, possibly harsh to be hooked. Overall he's been as reliable ever and you only have to look at our points tally when he's in the team compared to when he's out of it to see the contribution he makes. Great for another year as a covering centreback who'll play 20 odd games.
• Evans - 6 Redeemed himself 2nd half after being at fault for their goal. A fantastic player - if he was 3 inches taller he'd probably be the best in the league beause he's that good, it's understandable why Pulis tried him as a defensive midfielder and he still might end up there. Has eased off since we got 40 points for sure and can be vulnerable in the air but a great signing.
• Yacob - 7 I thought he was as good as anyone yesterday - got a lot of good tackles in. On the ball he is only as good as the players around him as he looks to win it and give it. I think we all know that if he had pace he'd be a top 4 player.
• Fletcher - 5 Flitted in and out of the game. Have said a lot about Fletcher above but Morrison would be better in this role and if we're losing Mozza we need to find a replacement here. The legs can't do what the mind wants for him over 38 games but huge respect for him.
• Leko - 7 Should be in the team next season based upon this. Looks a gem. He's bound to have off days. We need to get him tied down to a long contract.
• Gardner - 3 Totally anonymous. Set plays aside I can't think of anything he contributed other than hard running. A great guy and pro, unfortunately he does not have the quality to justify the number of games he's played. Every squad need characters like him but we should be looking to move him on if we can.
• Howlin' Mad McClean - 4 For the money he hasn't been a bad signing, it's simply that he's been played far too often. Runs his heart out and has guts like you wouldn't believe but is erratic, low on quality and can be a lunatic. I think he could make a decent left back cover.
• Rondon - 7 Took his goal well and worked really hard, was a threat. Have seen enough to know that in a creative team and with support he's a good enough player to get 15-20 goals in this league and his style does suit us. Looks to be a great character - I think he needs to be a little bit nastier next season, more of a bully.

• Chester - 5 Does OK. It's not his fault we over paid for him and play him out of position. I don't see him as a long term answer anywhere. Cut our losses?
• Field & Roberts - 6 Look like nice footballers. Hopefully they get good loans in the first half of next season.

And for the rest this year -

• Myhill - Has always done a decent job and is as good a cover keeper as we can hope for. Priorities for spending money are elsewhere this season.
• Poc - Criminally underused by a manager with some sort of grudge. Not a world-beater but from what we've seen he is good enough for a low to mid table premier league club.
• Gamboa - We'll never know but there were times this year when we needed pace and he could've been given a go on the right wing with 20 to go. Time to move him on.
• Sandro - Has done Ok but seems to be the only Brazilian pro footballer who can't control the ball. Possibly worth getting on a free if we can move Gardner on, otherwise I'm not sure I'd bother.
• Sess - Looks like he's gone. Should have played more games, probably should have played in a more central role behind a striker. We need to replace him with proven top quality because that's what he is.
• Mozza - Another who looks gone. A great servant, we've seen him develop from a frustrating youngster into a proven quality centre midfielder. We have missed him a lot in his absence. Another who will be very hard to replace or improve on.
• McManaman - There is a threatening footballer in there somewhere but clearly Pulis has a personality problem with him and injuries haven't helped. Needs to play 10 consecutive games on the right wing either for us or out on loan before we can really judge.
• Saido - Looks in danger of wasting his talent. I don't think Pulis handled any of this well because, frankly, he wanted him gone and wanted the money to spend. Could still have a big career ahead of him but I think it's likely to be elsewhere.
• Big Vic - Has to be moved on. Has everything to be a serious threat and at times is unplayable but never consistent enough and doesn't seem to want to push himself to get there. A bit of a waste.
• Lambert - I still can't believe the fee we paid for him at his age and when Liverpool were desparate to move him on. He's a great footballer but his best days are behind him and he needs to be playing every week to stay fit enough to be at his best and that is never going to happen for us. Cut our losses and move him on.

And finally on to Tony Pulis.

This is his squad and team. He spent a lot of money last year and we've gone backwards in terms of points accrued. The football is negative. It creates a horrible atmosphere at games as it genuinely causes conflict and anger between fans. I know many fans who don't want to renew. The majority of fans at half time or on the train home say the same thing - how bad we are and how awful to watch we are.

Do we trust Pulis with a TV money warchest to improve us and guarantee safety?

It really shouldn't be difficult given the huge advantage we have over any of the promoted sides - yet all the warning signs are there that we are in trouble.

Personally I'd gamble on change. I'd gamble on trying to get Moyes as his style can often be as pragmatic, hardworking and aggressive as Pulis's but just a couple of notches across on the creativity and entertainment scale without going too far the other way like a Martinez or maybe even a Rodgers might take us. There are other options at there and we don't need to gamble too much - proven experienced coaches, not Irvines or Clarkes.

It's likely to be a big summer of change anyway. Thanks to all of the other correspondents - in an era where the local press have to be careful of what they say to continue their access, such is the strength of clubs and their own PR units these days, the honesty, views and perspectives of other supporters are always enjoyable and enlightening if not always agreed with. Whatever happens I'll be renewing...

Baggyjon:

Okay. The question remains. Is it better to play attractive expansive football in a lower division in front of a half full stadium or welcome some of the best players in Europe with the potential at some time to emulate Leicester City?

For Pulis and Peace this seasons priority was to remain in the Prem. at all costs. That has been achieved with probably the poorest and oldest paceless squad in recent memory. Having said that they cannot be faulted this season for effort and I was rather disappointed to see so many leave before the end of season parade because the team deserves that accolade at least.

So again the question remains. The close season will probably be the most important for a generation.

Who goes? Who stays? Will Peace open the purse strings and if he does will Pulis invest in quality to allow a more expansive and entertaining philosophy. If not then I am afraid we will be on the slippery slope to the Championship.