One important difference as Albion replay their Tromso draw in Jablonec

And Albion will hope it does not cost them around the turn of the year.

A stalemate in the north of the Czech Republic followed a very similar pattern to that in the Arctic Circle.

Lots of possession against a home side who sat back.

Quite a bright and purposeful start and moments when it felt like the early goal might come.

But then a realisation they were finding it hard to break through. That the game was slowing down.

That the home side and their supporters were gaining in belief.

And then the moments later on when the hosts had players bearing down in goal with Albion defenders in vain pursuit.

And you were just waiting for the net to bulge and the whole place to go mad.

So similar. As was the fact the last bit did not happen and Albion at least escaped defeat.

But then came the difference.

Home fans did not really celebrate at Tromso.

Albion were really disappointed, especially Fabian Hurzeler.

But we all knew there was a second leg to come, in which all would probably be resolved.

And the silver lining of a 0-0 away draw was that it would increase interest in the return match with the tie still alive.

This was different. Jablonec fans cheered the final whistle and celebrated.

The matchday announcer said something in Czech about an historic point against the Premier League team.

This was points dropped for Albion - and then one saved by Bart Verbruggen.

Luka Vuskovic shows the frustration in a 0-0 draw at Jablonec (Image: AP Photo/Vit Tcherny)

I’m not sure a tough night, a draw and a good test of their attacking ideas in reserve to their current Prem starters is a really bad thing.

But points are at stake now and they will want that top-eight finish.

For what it is worth, Hajduk currently mark the split between automatic qualifiers and play-off teams as they occupy eighth place, just above the Seagulls.

Standings are fairly insignificant at this early stage but, looking at the three away games, Jablonec felt like the best chance of a win.

Just as it felt the best chance of a win in this run of five away fixtures in all competitions.

This was points dropped and a little reminder of standards required.

As Georginio Rutter told me, teams are waiting for Albion after all their great results and glowing publicity.

Liverpool will be no different in that respect.

As he also said, the draw at Jablonec does not need to derail what they had built up.

At Tromso, many of us were unsure of the way the season would go and certainly concerned about a possible lack of goals.

There should be more of a bedrock of belief now.

And there is another thing to take into account.

Maybe when Albion go to Getafe and Panathinaikos, it will not feel like the circus has come to town.

They won’t be seen as the big scalp.

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The home team might not sit so deep - although that might be a vain hope with Jose Bordalas and his “Geta” outfit.

Especially as they look to regroup after conceding five at home to Lugano.

They might be different games which suit Albion.

Spot the difference?

For fans who went to Tromso and Jablonec, the big ones off the pitch were the weather, how early and quickly it seemed to get very dark in the Czech Republic (compared to Tromso’s endless summer daylight) and beer prices.

About six pints in Jablonec for the price of one in Tromso.

One point in Jablonec need not spoil the taste of what was a fabulous day in this quiet provincial town and a memorable trip.

But it has made the top-eight goal just a bit harder for the Seagulls.