Fantastic February was a pre-written headline for this final West Bromwich Albion reflection of the month, though the question mark was added after the team lost one-nil at home to relegation threatened Wigan on the last day of a month extended by one day courtesy of its four-year leap cycle. The word 'leap' only applied to the day and not any league table movements as Albion still head the table, although the lead had been cut to one point from Leeds and six points to Fulham in the all-important third placed position.
After a successful points haul of sixteen from the month's previous six games, it stalled at this figure as Wigan replicated their recent resurgent form by producing a sterling performance good enough to stifle Albion's attacking potency, and significantly clinical to take the main chance they were offered in the second half. All in all it was a fair result and one maybe reflecting the glut of games teams have to play in a clogged up EFL championship campaign.
This was probably a game too far in February for Albion as both the midfield and strike-force spluttered into only a shadow of their pristine previous performances. The defence was mainly resolute, but keeping a clean sheet was ultimately beyond them.
The result of this game will likely be large chunks of the first team taking a week off playing duties, leaving a bunch of second string players appearing in the midweek cup match at home to Newcastle. A sad but realistic indictment of the FA Cup in these modern times.
Of course set backs are going to be prevalent in even the most successful of championship campaigns. So the fact that this was only Albion's fifth defeat of the season with just ten games left is a testimony to how well they played as a whole. Social media reaction to this defeat was philosophical in the main with much credit given to Wigan's set up and execution. Although this was pitched with the warning that this cannot be a common occurrence over the last ten games otherwise the chances of getting caught by Fulham in particular would increase, especially with the two meeting in the third from last game of the season.
No player mentions in this post game reflection, also probably an indictment on the afternoon. League action now moves into the major month of March with the first home game set to be covered being the local derby with Birmingham on the 14th. In the meantime, it's time to put on our FA Cup hats and rosettes and welcome the Geordies from Newcastle to The Hawthorns on Tuesday night. Will it be 1974 all over again. Check in on Wednesday to find out. Fantastic February? yes, despite today. Marvellous March? that would all but seal it.
