Albion went into the international window with a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle.

We asked four long-term fans for their thoughts on the game and who caught their eye.

Then we widened the debate to the role Tariq Lamptey has been given since returning to action.

How is it working – and would they rather him revert to wing-back?

Some good points were made, as usual.

Do you agree with their views?

1. What were your thoughts on Albion’s performance versus Newcastle?

James Heasman: This was a very frustrating performance. For 30 minutes I thought we were excellent, but slowly Newcastle got a foothold in the game, and our usually crisp passing and cohesive pressing seemed to all be a little disjointed. The second half was really disappointing, and we created very little, even when Maupay came on, no service and little movement. To me, it felt like Graham Potter’s ex-colleague had worked us out. Clearly it is one thing winning as underdogs, but we seem to struggle when we need to take the game to an opponent (see Norwich and Newcastle). Newcastle were a poor team and this was two points dropped.

Tim Ayling: The first half was like a training game really, but we didn’t put the game to bed and in the second half we were dragged down to their level. It was a really puzzling performance in the second half. Not starting with a striker at home to the bottom team was weird. Understandable at Anfield but unnecessary here.

Alan Brownings: Started well, dominated the first half and fully deserved our lead, sat back, didn’t take our chances and fell asleep for their goal. Never looked like we wanted it from that point forward, until we went down to ten men. Completely uninspiring and to some extent nullifies the result at Liverpool.

FLORIN ANDONE OUT IN THE COLD ON LOAN AT CADIZ

Colin Beales: I thought the performance lacked the drive that we have seen in recent performances and across the season so far. It was somewhat of a return to last season’s pattern of being toothless upfront. Frustratingly the changes made by Potter to swap from the false nine strategy back to bringing in Maupay failed to improve things and felt more like last season where in many games we seemed to lack in an attacking sense. Let’s hope this was a one off and not a return to our old ways.

2. Who was your pick of the Albion players?

James Heasman: Unfortunately, none of the team played to their normal levels and whilst we have an abundance of pace on both wings, the quality of delivery was lacking throughout. I thought once again Trossard played well, but for me Adam Lallana was our best player, keeping things ticking over and also covering for colleagues…….. if only he could finish.

Tim Ayling: That’s a hard one to answer. Trossard did well in the first half, but was much quieter in the second. Lamptey played well, and Lallana was busy - just a shame his shooting is so poor!

Alan Brownings: Lallana is looking the fittest he’s been since he came to the club, Lamptey looks to be back on it but is better when coming from deeper, but Trossard again looked sharp up front.

Colin Beales: We didn’t have the same recent levels across the team. Lamptey gave some degree of a drive for parts of the game, but I’d say Trossard picks up my man of the match nomination because his performance level was a consistently high level throughout the game and gave Newcastle something to worry about from an attacking perspective.

3. Would you prefer to see Lamptey continue in that more advanced role with Veltman behind him or with more of the pitch ahead of him as a genuine wing-back?

James Heasman: I actually think we are in danger of losing our way a little with Veltman as a right-back. I think our strongest team would be with Veltman as a right sided centre-back and Lamptey as a wing-back. As per the question, given Lamptey’s pace it is important he has space to run into. The next challenge is a meaningful presence in the box to give us more options.

Tim Ayling: He’s a wing-back, and I prefer him there. He’s such a talent and I’m sure it will help him playing in slightly different positions, but moving forward I hope this isn’t a permanent thing.

Alan Brownings: I kind of answered this one above but definitely better when coming from deeper. We need to make more use of both Lamptey and Cucurella, both look really threatening but for some reason we keep trying to squeeze the ball through the tiniest of gaps centrally. Really lacking a powerful forward player too.

Colin Beales: I think I prefer the wing-back role as I think it probably offers better balance to the team. Certainly, in this game it did allow Tariq some opportunity to really add some drive down that side from an attacking sense, but I’m not sure it added so much more than if he was wing-back. I guess like most decisions it’s a wider conversation based on who you’re playing and who’s the opposition.