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Graeme Jones: West Brom's approach to Leeds won't work against every team

Graeme Jones insists Albion are happy to wear different tactical faces but has described the set-up against Leeds as a ‘one-off’.

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Graeme Jones, right, with head coach Darren Moore. (AMA)

The Baggies switched to a 4-3-3 and a direct style of play against Marcelo Bielsa’s team last time out, and it delivered their most complete performance of the season and a 4-1 win.

Albion’s assistant head coach is pleased that system is now in the team’s locker, but has played down suggestions they will continue with it against every opposition.

The Baggies hit Leeds fiercely on the counter-attack, but Jones believes Albion need to be capable of breaking down teams if they are going to win promotion.

“We played differently against Leeds,” he told talkSport. “I’d been to watch Leeds six days earlier against Wigan, and came away thinking they are the best side in the Championship.

“We decided to go with a different tactic and it paid off. We’ve now got that in the locker any time we want to use it.

“It paid off – sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. Obviously we got it right.”

“The Leeds game was a one-off if I’m being honest,” added Jones. “We changed our style at the beginning of the season.

“West Brom had a playing style in the Premier League for three or four years which was massively successful and kept them in the Premier League.

“In order to get promotion, you have to take the game to the opposition, break them down and score goals. That’s the requirement, we’re still in transition.

“We’re quite happy to wear different faces if it means winning the game, but still with the priority of scoring goals, which we’ve done in abundance this season.”

Jones, who joined from Belgium in the summer, admitted the tactical challenge of the second tier had changed during his decade away.

“It’s a great league,” said Jones. “I last worked in the Championship 10 years ago with Swansea.

“That Championship, if I’m being honest, was about 4-4-2, direct football and set pieces. That was my last impression.

“Coming back into it there are very few that still play like that. The tactical challenge is immense.

“There’s an honesty about the league, and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

And he claimed head coach Darren Moore allowed him to take risks with the team.

“I’ve gone from 10 days a season to 10 games a month!” he added. “That’s Championship life.

“Luckily with (Belgium boss) Roberto (Martinez) and Darren, I’ve got real history and friendship with them both. I can say things others can’t get away with.

“I do the on-the-ball stuff, he (Moore) does the off-the-ball stuff, that’s what was agreed with when I came in.

“I ask him to take one or two risks. and being a former defender it’s not that easy for him, but he goes along with me.”

Jones was full of praise for the performances against Leeds, and highlighted Hal Robson-Kanu’s influence.

“The Leeds game and performance was really satisfying,” he said. “It’s credit to the players.

“We set up a system to win the game. Hal’s understanding of his role that night was fantastic.

"We had a midfield three of Matty (Phillips), Jake (Livermore) and James (Morrison). You implement tactics but the players have to carry them out.”

But he is pleased to have top scorer Dwight Gayle back available this weekend after the striker returned from injury against Leeds.

“He’s another cheeky chappy full of energy,” said Jones. “He’s infectious, we’re delighted to have him back.

“He’s been injured along with Gareth Barry, results suffered a little bit.

“We’re playing catch up a little bit, maybe gave the boys too much time off in the last international break.”