West Brom debrief: Albion irony, skipper's impact, a striking conundrum and Eric Ramsay sympathy
It was a platform for Eric Ramsay's West Brom - and a point that could prove crucial come the end of the season.
They didn't set the world alight but they showed fighting spirit. They showed, at least for one game, they are up for the battle.
A point against Stoke and other results lifted Albion above the relegation line - but they head to Birmingham City on Tuesday night hoping for more of the same.
Here is a look at some key points to come from the the draw with Stoke:
The defensive irony
The irony of Albion looking defensively better with less defenders on the pitch will not be lost on Ramsay. He tried his back five, and it just didn't work.
He scrapped it on Saturday and it proved fruitful as Albion made Stoke look toothless.
So that debate is settled. You can understand why he wanted to change and find a solution and beyond the summer with a pre-season it may work, but a back four is what this side knows and it has to stay for now.
Old guard proves crucial
Jed Wallace has been an observer for Albion since the end of the Carlos Corberan days. But he found himself back in the side this week, and he showed he still has much to give.
He almost netted in the first half, but it was his fighting spirit, and his ability to lead from the front that shone through.
Despite other options, he could well be Ramsay's man to try and drag Albion out of this awful mess.
Striking solutions are not easy
Daryl Dike was handed a very rare start. Although he worked hard, you could see he was off the pace, and maybe injuries have really caught up with him. That would hardly be surprising.
The striking situation has been another question mark under Ramsay and Ryan Mason.
Josh Maja doesn't look at it, and is set to depart in the summer.
Aune Heggebo has been the most potent this season - but is in a rough patch.
Heggebo has to be Albion's main man, but service is key. When he has players around him and the service he can flourish, we have seen that. Now we need to see more of it.
Ramsay sympathy
He's made mistakes, as the man before him.
But he's been out of luck, certainly defensively. Albion looked solid against Derby and then they lost two of the backline.
At Stoke he found a solution and then Chris Mepham goes off with a hamstring problem.
When your luck is out, it is out. Now he faces more headaches, and has to hope those that come in can step up.