Albion captain Scott Carson has a simple Christmas wish – his second clean sheet of the season.

But the Albion goalkeeper will shed no tears if his belated gift fails to arrive at Bolton on Boxing Day, provided the team deliver three more points.

Despite an impressive first half to the Premier League campaign, Carson and his defenders have managed just one shut-out in 17 games.

And the skipper’s fury at Newcastle’s late consolation strike in a 3-1 West Brom success this month was evidence of the growing frustration at the lack of clean sheets.

But Carson is adamant he will not obsess about his own statistics while the team are succeeding.

“The main thing for us is to try to keep a clean-sheet,” said the 25-year-old. “We have given a few teams a goal start and we have conceded some silly goals. It is about trying to keep them out, because if we can do that we are all confident we can score goals.

“Shut-outs are like goals for keepers, but I don’t really worry about the fact we’ve only kept one in 17 games.

“It doesn’t get me down too much. As long as we are winning games and I am playing well that is all I take into consideration.”

West Brom have become one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season so far, climbing as high as fifth in the table during a sequence of results that including victory at Arsenal and a battling draw at Manchester United.

But even Albion have been unable to keep pace with the Trotters, whose impressive play has meant they will celebrate Christmas in seventh place in the table.

Owen Coyle’s side have won plaudits for their evolving style of play and, having seen Albion battle to a point against them at The Hawthorns in October, Carson is unsurprised by their success.

“They are a good side,” he said. “They’ve got a great balance with some youth and a lot of experience.

“Owen Coyle has got them playing a mixture of styles. They’ve still got a bit of ‘old Bolton’ about them with long throws and big Kevin Davies holding the ball up.

“But they have also started popping the ball around and playing good football, so they’ve got all the ingredients to be a good side.

“A lot of people are surprised but I know a lot of the players here aren’t because we know what a tough game they gave us when they came to The Hawthorns.

“I don’t think we played too well but that is down to them because they make it difficult. That was one of the games when we didn’t play as well but we didn’t lose and that shows how far we have come. A year or two ago we would have lost that match.”

Sunday’s game will again bring Carson and Co face-to-face with former team-mate Paul Robinson, who has been in his most impressive form for years during the Trotters’ climb up the table.

And the Baggies keeper believes the former Hawthorns left-back is relishing life under Coyle.

“I have spoken to him a couple of times and he loves it there and he thinks Owen Coyle is a great man and a great manager,” said Carson.

“Last year we all went for a meal when Neil Clement retired and Robbo came along and said he was absolutely buzzing.

“I think when Owen Coyle went in there he revitalised everyone and he has obviously got his thoughts across this season, which is why they are doing so well.”

But, despite the threats posed by the home side on Sunday, Carson believes West Bromwill go to the Reebok Stadium confident they can leave with three more points to add to their total.

They have already equalled their Premier League best of two away victories this term and Carson reckons they are no longer lambs to the slaughter on the road.

“You can’t really put your finger on why it is, but I think last time in the Premier League we beat Middlesbrough away and that was it,” said the keeper.

“It was really difficult for us to go away and get anything out of those games. But this year we have rolled our sleeves up and pressed teams high and we have got the rewards.

“We have scored a lot of goals and defended really well away from home.”

West Brom go into the match after a fortnight’s break thanks to the postponement of last Sunday’s Black Country derby against Wolves.

And captain Carson reckons the loss of that game should ensure they are fully prepared when they begin their festive fixtures.

“We would have all liked to play but I think it was probably the right decision to postpone it,” he said.

“And it was good that it was called off on the Saturday because there is nothing worse than preparing for a game on a Saturday then, after you have prepared really well, having it called off.

“It can be a bit of a kick in the teeth, so when it was called off mid-afternoon on Saturday the players were able to put their feet up and get re-energised for Boxing Day.”

By Steve Madeley