West Brom show 'enough' to suggest positive season despite Pompey draw

Ryan Mason was sent off as West Brom drew with Portsmouth

The fans were singing West Bromwich Albion boss Ryan Mason's name from the stands in the first half and then in the second half, after his red card, he was in the stands with them.

The chants from the supporters asking Mason for a wave are further proof that he's made an excellent impression at The Hawthorns since his arrival.

And even though his winning start to the season ended on Saturday, there was still enough from the performance to suggest that this will be a positive first season for him as a permanent manager.

He's normally so calm and composed on the touchline but two decisions in quick succession made him absolutely furious and saw him kick out at his chair in the dugout.

First he got a yellow card after a penalty claim was turned down, then he was shown a red card after feeling that Portsmouth defender Regan Poole should have been sent off.

Both decisions looked controversial from my seat in the stands, which wasn't too far from where Mason was forced to sit for the final stages.

Poole in particular was very lucky, although his overall performance for Portsmouth was excellent.

It's a tough trip to Stoke next up for West Brom and Mason will need his forwards to be more clinical, but he's got the backing of the fans and despite Saturday's draw, it still feels as though there's a real positivity around the club at the start of his era in charge.