Jonas Olsson in Albion’s defence
Monday 24th January 2011, 10:30AM GMT.
Jonas Olsson has launched an impassioned defence of Albion’s backline after they slid to their seventh defeat in eight matches at Blackburn.
Olsson leapt to the defence of centre-back partner Gabriel Tamas, whose nightmare day at Ewood Park aided Rovers to a 2-0 win and left the Baggies without a clean sheet in 21 Premier League matches.
Tamas scored an embarrassing own goal and was beaten by David Hoilett for Rovers’ second to leave Albion with the joint worst defensive record in the top division, having conceded two or more goals in their last seven league fixtures.
But Olsson, who returned to Premier League action yesterday after three months out through injury, is not pointing the finger at anyone.
He said: “Twenty-one games without a clean sheet is not a good statistic but I always say we defend as a team and we attack as a team.
“We can’t just single out a back four for defensive problems and we don’t always single out the strikers when we attack.
“I’m confident in the guys I have next to me and in front of me. Was it bad defending yesterday?
“Was it down to us not working well together? I’m not sure. The first was an unlucky own goal by Gabby and that happens.
“I know it’s 21 games without a clean sheet and that’s not good enough, but I’m sure we will try to make that better.”
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