West Brom fans make same Ryan Mason claim despite Leicester City heartbreak - Including ex-£1.4m Baggies star | OneFootball

Many West Brom supporters were pleased with how Ryan Mason's side played against Leicester City, even though they conceded a late equaliser.

West Brom were hit with a sucker punch on Friday night as a Nat Phillips' stoppage time own goal meant Leicester City left The Hawthorns with a point that they maybe didn’t deserve.

Ryan Mason’s side took the lead thanks to a fantastic individual effort from Samuel Iling-Junior, whilst they managed to restrict the Foxes to few clear chances.

However, a Bobby Decordova-Reid effort was deflected into his own net by Phillips in the 93rd minute, which left the Baggies without a win in three.

That doesn’t tell the whole story of the game, though, as Albion were dominant for large parts, and they can only blame their poor finishing for their failure to pick up all three points.

Josh Maja was the biggest culprit on that front, as the ex-Sunderland man somehow missed from close range after Jed Wallace’s free-kick had been parried out by Jakub Stolarczyk.

He wasn’t the only one who spurned a big chance, with fellow sub Toby Collyer failing to convert just minutes before the equaliser, whilst Isaac Price was another to miss a great opportunity in the second half.

Therefore, Phillips’ own goal would have been difficult for Mason to take, and it certainly will feel like a missed chance for the Baggies to really close the gap on the top two.

But, in the bigger picture, there was a lot to like about West Brom from the way they played, as they kept a very talented Leicester side quiet, and they also controlled the ball well and had a good structure under the new boss.

And, many fans were quick to point that out on social media after the game, including former Albion player Nigel Quashie, who was impressed with what he saw.

"There’s signs of improvement with the team especially with the new players coming in and finding their feet," said the £1.4m January 2006 signing from Southampton, who made 30 appearances for the Baggies during a 12-month stint at The Hawthorns.

"They’ve done extremely well to connect so quickly and show what they’re about. That game should’ve been killed off last night and that’s against a side who are looking to go back to the PL (Premier League) at the first attempt and #WBA made them look bang average. It’s a matter of time when things really kick into gear. Hopefully that’s sooner rather than later."

Meanwhile, one fan made it clear that he feels Albion are making plenty of progress under Mason, saying: "It’s getting there Ryan. Most of us can see that. Still a team in transition. A very good tactical game tonight, that almost paid off. Maja will be gutted but, he has plenty in the bank for me. Up the Throstles."

Another fan echoed those thoughts, as he praised Mason for the quick impact he has made at the club, writing: "Gutted tonight but really feel Ryan is building something here at the Shrine. Loved his interview - emotions are raw and the pain of not winning is clear to see. Keep going boys, the results will come! TLMS."

Another said: "Brilliantly open and honest interview, with an undercurrent in controlled frustration. He’s transforming this squad into something good, and all in less than three months. This man is a top coach and we are lucky to have him. We go again at Norwich."

Finally, it was mentioned that Albion had put in such a display against a fancied Leicester side, which can only bode well moving forward, as one fan wrote: "Undeserved but we keep building, only good things to come, a good point against a good Leicester team we can only get better from here."

Ryan Mason must take encouragement from West Brom's progress since his arrival

When you concede a stoppage time goal to lose two points, it's natural to be gutted, and there's no doubt that Mason and the players will be hugely disappointed they didn't get over the line.

Nevertheless, the positivity shown by the fans is the right outlook to take, because Albion just demonstrated that they can compete with the best teams in the league.

The players followed the game plan that the boss wanted, and it was ultimately bad finishing and bad luck that stopped them getting the win.

That has largely been the overriding issue so far this season for Mason's men, as it was their finishing that cost them points in their recent outings with Middlesbrough, Derby and Portsmouth too respectively.

Against Boro, Albion recorded 15 shots, but just three were on target, and ended up losing the game 2-1.

Their 1-0 home defeat to Derby on matchday five saw West Brom fire 18 shots at the Rams goal, but just four were on target that afternoon too.

Meanwhile, in their 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth on matchday three, Albion had 13 attempts on goal, but again, only three of those were able to hit the target.

Aside from their issues when it comes to being clinical in front of goal, West Brom are playing some good football, and have only conceded seven goals so far this season too, showing how much potential there is in this team for a big season if they can sharpen their cutting edge.

Now, it's about maintaining those standards moving forward, and, if they do, there's no reason West Brom won't be in the promotion picture come May.