Express & Star

Analysis: West Brom starting to build momentum under Alan Pardew

Momentum is one of sport's intangibles, but there's no doubt Albion are beginning to build up a little head of steam.

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Alan Pardew. (AMA)

Alan Pardew's men have now lost just one of their last six games in all competitions – and that was the trip to West Ham when the hosts had been handed an unfair advantage.

It shouldn't be ignored that once again, the Baggies lost points from a winning position.

But the positives far outweigh the negatives, and a point at Goodison Park should never be sniffed at.

On a day devoted to one of Albion's most celebrated No.9s, the current bearer of that shirt put in a performance Cyrille Regis would have been proud of.

Salomon Rondon immediately evoked memories of the great man, robbing Morgan Schneiderlin of possession just inside the Everton half before turning, driving towards goal, and unleashing a shot.

He dominated the Everton defence, and drew three home players towards him in the build-up to Jay Rodriguez's opener.

The only thing missing from his performance was a goal, and while he should have put a header on target from a Brunt corner, the radar in his right foot was much better than usual.

But it was his compassionate response to James McCarthy's horrific double leg break that was the most fitting tribute to Regis.

Rondon was visibly distraught, and after he had urged referee Stuart Atwell to stop play in order to let medics on the pitch, he had to be consoled by team-mates and Pardew.

While that was going on, Rodriguez was holding McCarthy's hand in comfort, telling the stricken Everton midfielder help was coming.

Whatever your opinions are on the Albion strike-force in front of goal, their responses to that horrible incident were heart-warming.

Nobody wants to be relegated, but if this week has taught us anything, having a team that one can be proud of is more important than winning games.

And there are signs that both Rondon and Rodriguez are improving. The Venezuelan is getting better with every game and his partner now has three goals in his last five.

February is nearing, and considering Pardew has put a deadline on Jonny Evans leaving, this week will define Albion's transfer window.

There are players lined up and ready to join if Evans is sold; if he isn't, the Baggies will try and bring in an attacker on loan until the end of the season.

That eventuality isn't looking nearly as disastrous as it was at the start of the window.

Thanks to a recent upturn in form, Grzegorz Krychowiak has been as good as a new signing and his partnership with Gareth Barry is blossoming.

Here, the Pole finally offered the attacking threat he should have been delivering all season.

No team is ever 'too good to go down' – just ask West Ham – and Pardew knows he is just a couple of injuries away from trouble. But there are signs that this existing crop has the ability to survive.

He deserves credit for that, considering he's been given no cash for any additions this month.

Sam Allardyce threw £47m of attacking talent onto the pitch, and yet if either team deserved to win, it was the visitors.

But more important than staying up is the sense of enjoyment that has returned.

Towards the end of the Tony Pulis reign, supporters were starting to dread the weekend. Now, they can't wait for it.

This is not the swashbuckling team of the late 70s, Rondon is not Regis, but performances have improved under Pardew, and now, results are starting to follow.