Carson told to silence critics

Tony Mowbray today challenged big-name Albion signing Scott Carson to silence his England critics and rebuild his tarnished reputation at The Hawthorns.

Carson became Mowbray’s marquee summer signing yesterday when he penned a four-year deal that could make him the Baggies’ record signing.

And, after ending his nomadic existence, Mowbray now wants the former Liverpool man to prove a point to those who questioned his talents in the wake of his England nightmare last year.

The 22-year-old’s howler against Croatia at Wembley helped eliminate England from the European Championships and a subsequent loss of form ended Villa’s interest in making his loan move permanent.

But Mowbray is in no doubt that the ability which elevated Carson to the international ranks remains present in abundance. And he is playing down the significance of the hefty price tag of £3.25m rising to a potential club record of £3.75m with add-on clauses.

“I don’t think there’s any extra pressure on him because of his price tag,” said Mowbray.

“He’s a young goalkeeper who has attained a lot of things in his short career. He’s had a nomadic time in his career and probably needs to settle down.

“I hope he’ll see this as a place to settle down and find consistency. Hopefully we will be good for each other. He’s a good goalkeeper and a hungry goalkeeper. He has a few things to prove to a few people.

“I hope we can improve his concentration levels and give him drive and determination to reach the top of his game.

“I look forward to working with him and the competition he will bring to the group.

“I haven’t discussed specific instances with him but for me the fact he attained the level to be chosen in such a huge game for his country suggests he was performing at some level prior to that game.

“That is the main criteria for me rather than the events or the aftermath of that game. In the build-up to that he was performing at a level that meant he was seen as the best goalkeeper in the country.

“After clinching promotion I said it was important we strengthen all departments. The goalkeeping department needed extra competition and Scott Carson will be a very strong competiton for that position.

“That’s what we want to do everywhere across the team. We want to go into a season where the players know they have to be at the peak of their form to keep their place.”

Albion’s summer dealings have so far landed Carson along with full-backs Marek Cech and Gianni Zuiverloon, all for seven-figure fees.

And the deals have left several of last season’s Championship heroes facing a tough time to hold onto their places in the starting XI.

But the manager insists time cannot stand still in football and he has challenged his current players to rise to the challenge that the new faces will provide.

“The challenge for the players here is to try to raise the bar themselves so the new signings don’t take their place in the team,” he said.

“If they do take their places we will see the reaction of players and see if they accept being substitutes, whether they want to move on or face the challenge and fight it head on. If we are scucessful this season we will still keep evolving and trying to get better. The gamble is getting the dynamics right because sometimes, although you’re bringing in international footballers, they may not always have the personalities to fit into your dressing room.

“You can create problems so you need to do a lot of background work.”

Mowbray admits his management skills will be examined in the coming weeks as he copes with changing last season’s team.

And he is ready to adopt a ‘horses for courses’ approach to man management.

“You need to look at individuals and assess their personalities,” he said.

“They are not stupid and they know if someone comes in who plays in their position then it’s going to be competition. They don’t need a manager to tell them that. They will sense it themselves and they need to prepare themselves mentally. Some you talk to, some you let them get on with it.”

Albion were today due to wrap up their pre-season trip to Holland and Germany with a match against Borussia Monchengladbach in Euskirchen.

And Mowbray believes the week away has helped the Baggies build on the team spirit from last year’s title success.

“The dynamics and the chemistry is very important,” he said.

“Periods like this are when players get to know the new signings.

“That’s why coaches generally want new signings in at this stage of the season, although many tend to get done at end of the window. We have a good group of players and the camaraderie is very obvious at the moment.”