West Brom notebook: The good vibes go on, a very friendly foe and kids shine again!

Good vibes go on

It is not often the reaction is that spirited after defeat.

But James Morrison, his side, and Baggies fans can be truly heartened by that display in the 3-2 St James’ Park reverse. The 2,000 travelling fans certainly let their troops know.

It just reinforces and underlines Albion could be on the cusp of something this season. The performance levels are high and, despite six changes in a fairly thin squad, were maintained.

There have been good starts in recent years, but none have felt quite as meaningful as this. Wednesday was a first defeat, but it does or should not derail or deter Albion.

Morrison stressed the much bigger game is at the Riverside in Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime.

The turnaround is tight and Newcastle took a lot of effort. But if the Baggies can maintain similar performance levels from what we have seen so far, they won’t go far wrong.

Kids are alright

Harry Whitwell simply continues his dream start to the season. What a night it was for him and fellow Baggies youth graduate Alex Williams.

The pair raided down Albion’s right flank all evening long, against England star left-back Lewis Hall and, in the second half, match-winner Harvey Barnes.

Barnes had the final say but that did not take away from the performance from Whitwell, 20, and Williams, 21. That was an extremely proud night for Albion’s academy.

Whitwell has already shown his quality this season, but for Williams in particularly it was a huge occasion. His first real chance in a year or so and the Welshman grasped it, with an excellent offensive and defensive display. He has shown he can be the cover for Nolan Galves.

Friendly foe

Nobody at The Hawthorns needs a single reminder of Barnes’ quality.

That loan spell nine seasons ago was electric, crammed full of goals and assists when he was a Baggie before a Leicester recall, which was very much out of the winger’s hands.

He needed just three minutes to make his mark on Wednesday night. More alive and sharp than anybody else to power on to the rebound of his own shot to convert.

And the winner eight minutes from time was so classy - a proper, top-level first-time finish.

Albion’s Isaac Price, the Baggies’ current attacking star, was the tie’s other two-goal hero. Price has six years on Barnes and although a completely different type of attacker, Price will aspire to have a similar rise in the game as the former Albion loan hero.