Jewell: We think we are better than we are

Paul Jewell

Paul Jewell

"In forty-five minutes, they've had two attacks on our goal, and we've got to do better. We had to wait until the last minute when we did, and their 'keeper made a great save.

"Give West Brom credit, they've got the goal and they've hung in there, and for all the possession and cross in the box, I don't think their 'keeper had too much of a sweat until the death.

"They've dug in and deserved the little bit of luck at the end. It looked in, but the 'keeper some credit, it was a fantastic save.

"We had plenty of opportunities, we had some decent corners, but I never got the feeling that we were ever going to score. We always knew scoring goals would be the hardest thing to do in this league, and at the moment we are finding it a struggle.

"I said at half-time that if we don't win this game we have to make sure we don't lose it. The league table will tell you that we don't draw games. We have to be able to dig out draws. When we are not at our best, we need to get something out of games.

"Sometimes we think we are better than we are. When you've had a bit of success, then it's easy to think 'we've cracked it'. As soon as you start thinking like that, especially at this level, it'll hurt you. I don't blame tiredness, we are making basic errors. I have told the players we don't want to be playing football in the wrong areas.

"We need to get back to being what we are good at. That's being a team that is honest and full of endeavour, full of energy and at times a threat. We've not been like that recently."

Nigel Pearson (West Brom Assistant)

"When you're down to ten men, you need to be brave - and I thought everyone showed a lot of bravery. It was disappointing for Nathan to come off, especially as he got some stick from the home fans, which isn't nice.

"But it's a team game and we needed to keep in the match as long as we could. Sometimes in games like that, you ride your luck. We've played against ten men ourselves this season and it can galvanise a team.

When you go to 4-4-1, you're not going to get many chances. We had two counter-attacks but we managed to convert one and it gave us something to hang on to. We were hard to break down and I'm sure Paul Jewell will be disappointed they didn't come up with more ideas to break us down.

"But that's how it goes sometimes when you're playing against ten men. Wigan are where they are because they have a system of play and strong self-belief and we're delighted to get the three points. We were delighted with the approach of our players because we were very critical of them last week."

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