Preston 0, West Brom 0: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict

Oct 5 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

And he was the main man willing to make bursts into space in support of the hopelessly stranded Roman Bednar.

It was Dorrans who went closest to scoring. He twisted past the sturdy Youl Mawene and struck a low shot, which Andy Lonergan parried on to his post.

The 22-year-old is capable of running with the ball, turning past opponents with either foot and sticking his own boots into a tackle when needed.

His crossing occasionally needs a little work and he can be guilty of trying over-ambitious passes, but those deficiencies will be tempered with experience.

Chris Brunt and Marek Cech worked hard on the wings and cut inside to decent effect but, for too long, Bednar was left isolated by them and his other midfielders.

It needed a little more purpose from the supporting pack to put more pressure on Preston’s creaking backline.

But, above all else, Albion needed to bring something back down the M6 to restore a little bit of pride and belief, for the fans as well as themselves.

Tuesday’s display at Barnsley must not be forgotten. It was as shambolic as you could imagine and it needed a performance from Albion to bring back some sort of normality.

Of course, they beat Middlesbrough 5-0 a fortnight ago, but in the general scheme of things, the draw at Deepdale was just as important. The reaction to that Barnsley defeat was always going to say a lot about Albion’s character, the coaching staff’s motivational methods and the team’s moral fibre.

They might not have won but they certainly negotiated the biggest test they’ve probably had so far this season.

Taking on Crystal Palace after a 5-0 win at Boro was simply the ‘next game’ in their league campaign.

But playing at third-placed Preston after Tuesday’s debacle would be more of an indication of what Albion are made of.

Partial, if not quite normal, service was restored.