Defensive jitters are a worry

Albion today admitted their defensive jitters could get worse as attention focuses more sharply than ever on their set-piece failings.

The Baggies suffered another promotion set-back due to a set-piece goal against Watford on Saturday.

And manager Tony Mowbray and defender Carl Hoefkens admitted constant attention on the team's Achilles heel could exacerbate the problem.

"It's almost expected now and we seem to like to make things difficult for ourselves," said Mowbray. "We talked all week about Watford's strengths and what they can do but, as I've said in the past, the more you talk about a situation the more it plays on the minds of the players.

"Ultimately the first time they had a set-play they scored and the sooner I stop talking about it maybe the easier it will become for us."

And Hoefkens said: "I don't know how it happens. We've got enough quality and players who can head a ball."