Sam Johnstone: Sloppy West Brom do have the talent to play it out from the back

Albion's keeper helped earn Darren Moore's men a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City on Friday night by saving Jota's spot-kick on the half-hour mark.

But the Baggies were fortunate to come away from St Andrew's with a point after a series of errors at the back gifted the hosts possession in dangerous areas.

Johnstone, though, believes the risks are worth the rewards when Albion's new passing game does click.

"If you're going to play with the ball you have to take risks," said Johnstone. "In football generally you have to take risks.

"We've got the players to play out from the back, it was just difficult to break Birmingham down playing a 4-4-2.

"Ultimately we have to be a bit cleaner and a bit better with our passing. When that comes, I think we'll be very dangerous."

Albion's passing was wayward for much of the match, and invited pressure onto them unnecessarily, but Johnstone confirmed the team were working hard on the system in training, and the 25-year-old is a big part of the plans.

"Of course we do (work on it)," he said. "Sometimes I join in possession games, passing drills. It all helps.

"I've experienced it at Man United and other clubs. Everyone wants the goalkeeper now to save the ball and play with his feet. You're becoming more and more of an outfield player.

"We work on it and I enjoy it. It was sloppy (at St Andrew's), and one of those nights. Once it starts coming off it's very dangerous."

Johnstone has now faced three penalties this season and none of them have gone in. He's saved two himself, but he admitted there was an element of luck involved.

"You could watch the clips and they could go the other way," he said. "I've been fortunate this year they've gone the way I've done.

"It's helped us get the win at Norwich and the draw at Birmingham.

"Jota's left foot is very good and you have to commit to that one side and go all out. He hit it with a bit of pace.

"It's good that I saved it but I think we're all quite frustrated that we didn't win the game and didn't play as well as we're capable of.

"It was hectic for a couple of minutes after they scored. It would have been difficult to come back from going 2-0 down, especially if they sat in and let us play around at the back.

"We popped up with a goal and towards the end we might have got two or three, I thought we were unlucky.

"It's frustrating really, we weren't at our best, we were sloppy but ultimately we didn't lose."