Ask me what I think the worst performance of Albion's season thus far was, and I'd say it was Sunday's performance. Yet, here I am sat typing this, the happiest I've been so far this season with three points on the board - after a 1-0 win against Norwich - and the table looking a lot better for it!

First game of the season against Manchester United, we put in a very resilient performance. Second game of the season against Chelsea, we could have beaten them if Shane Long had managed to give Somen Tchoyi the right pass with the goal gaping. Third game of the season against Stoke, it was close but I’d say we were the better side. Yet what did the table show: West Bromwich Albion 0 Points.

On Sunday Albion rode their luck, it was not a stellar performance by any means. But it was a performance I wanted to see. This match showed that alongside pretty football, The Baggies can grind out a result even if the performance was not to the usual standard. It’s not to say Albion didn’t create a lot of chances, they of course missed a penalty and hit the post. But Norwich seemed to have far more of the ball, and although they didn’t create many clear cut chances they certainly peppered the penalty area and Centre Halves were tested. However, they came through it, we kept a clean sheet.

Instead of the usual match report, I thought I’d sum up my feelings by going through stages of the match and what I was feeling at the time.

Before kickoff, feeling: Excited. I see the line-up, and it’s one that many fans have been crying out for. Graham Dorrans returns to the side on the right hand side of midfield, with Jerome Thomas making his first start of the season on the left. Odemwingie and Long are both fit, but I am surprised Hodgson has gone for both and dropped his captain Chris Brunt.

2 Minutes, Feeling: Jubilant, And it’s 1-0 to the Albion! Odemwingie pounces on a mix-up between De Laet and debutant goalie Declan Rudd and places his volley past Rudd into the corner. Jumping up and down in the living room.

30 Minutes gone, Feeling: Nervy. After the shock start for the home-side, they’ve settled into the game and are certainly stretching Albion without creating too many clear chances. Gabriel Tamas offers a nervy moment when flashing a crossfield pass towards Grant Holt but not much comes of it.

45 Minutes gone, Feeling: Happy but still nervy. A resolute first half performance, but knowing the track of our defence, it’s hard to feel confident holding a one goal lead. And how close it was to being a two goal lead, 5 minutes before half-time Graham Dorrans crashing a 25 yard effort against the post. Could have done with that, the 2nd half wouldn’t have been nearly as nerve-wracking.

60 Minutes gone, Norwich are still peppering the Albion penalty box, with Jonas Olsson and Grant Holt having a good old-fashioned Centre Half/ Centre forward battle. Plenty of shirt-tugging and wrestling, 6 to one, half a dozen to the other. Both men seem to be relishing the battle.

75 Minutes gone, and Olsson has won his battle as Grant Holt is substituted. Five minutes later, Free kick to Albion deep to the far post, Reid takes control and Holt’s replacement Steve Morison get close...PENALTY! From my perspective, seems a stone-waller but Sky commentators seem to think it was soft. Anyway, Odemwingie steps up for his 2nd of the afternoon...and it is saved! Declan Rudd pushes the penalty around the post, a good height for the keeper but still a decent save.

85 Minutes gone, Steve Morison flashes a free header wide of the post. First sign of slack marking from Albion, concentration is key at this stage. Into stoppage time, and James Vaughan is down in the box. Referee gives nothing, but the replays show Gabriel Tamas digging an elbow into Vaughan. Blood is pouring from his mouth, I expect Tamas to be punishment on a retrospective charge.

FULL TIME! Albion win, cue more jumping up and down in the living room. Not the most stylish of performances but a victory all the same. Sky sports give man of the match to the goal-scorer Odemwingie, but for me it has to go to the magnificent Jonas Olsson at centre half, captain for the day and Albion’s one true premiership quality defender.

Now we have the points on the board, I’m hoping next week at Swansea we come out with a bit more confidence and the passes begin to find their man. Not the best of performances but signs of encouragement, and most importantly three points. The Long-Odemwingie front-line looks dangerous, and best of all a clean sheet! Over-riding feeling-Joy!

Tweet

Follow ESPNsoccernet's Football Correspondents on Twitter