Well, certain stresses were allayed by West Brom's 2-1 win yesterday (and had draws against Blackburn or Pompey been turned into wins then the next game against Chelsea wouldn't have been faced with so much anxiety), but it doesn't and shouldn't put a deceptive gloss on how much of a busted flush Albion's season has been so far. Yes, a relegation fight was on the cards, but it needn't have turned out to be a conflict with all the fighting spirit of a Teletubby that's been chloroformed and whacked over the head with a cricket bat.

It's been hugely demoralising to watch and listen to Mowbray this season, as the good sense and positivity of character he displayed as a manager now comes across as apologetic and even severely weak in attitude, hailing positives where little exist and exacerbating callow displays with a one-up-front formation that promises little and yields even less (the 'find the positives' excuses do give the whiff of Bryan Robson at his most hopeless). Keeping strikers that could only operate at their full potential in the Championship and not acquiring those more attuned to the top-flight was also a miscalculation - as well as completely misjudging the pure, lethal nature of the Premiership. A passing game - while much, much more appreciable in concept and practice than a boorish hooforama - can only go so far before better, more incisive opponents dismantle it. And as for Kevin Phillips (who, with every goal he scores for Birmingham, brings sentimental wails of regret from West Brom fans who want him back), even he couldn't bring solace in a malaise which sees the team ship goals with nearly every game. When you're being beaten 3-0 or 4-0, his consolation goals would not be enough.

Fans blame the chairman, Jeremy Peace, for not backing Mowbray enough, but a few million was spent on those players currently languishing down there. Luke Moore, scoring his first ever Premier League goal in December, cost £3m, while the underwhelming Borja Valero was brought in for £4m, with Roman Bednar and Ishmail Miller also bought for a few million, as well as Scott Carson for £3m. Not Chelsea standards, admittedly, but for a club that seeks to survive financial implosion, a substantial packet. Although Peace's accountant's-eye-view of how to spend in the Premiership (where every buy counts and is, even more so, the difference between survival and relegation) does, justifiably, bring complaints from those who see a man not given to taking a gamble on a signing or two that might make all the difference.

Yesterday's win against Man City soothed a few brows, although it's to be thankful that the Brazilian contingent were conspicuous by their abscence. Things may have turned out to be different were they on the pitch.

Will it turn out to be the start of a rally towards another Great Escape or just a nice blip? Time will tell. Yesterday, Mark Hughes had the air of a man who just couldn't wait to use the chequebook given to him by his paymasters. Money will probably save him.

Mowbray, who hasn't any money at all, apparently, must up his game both on and off the pitch. To avoid failure, Mowbray must learn from the harsh lessons taught him so far. There'll be more of them ahead.