Mixed emotions for Mowbray

Last updated : 17 March 2009 By Wba-mad Editor

Albion boss Tony Mowbray claimed his side deserved more than a point after watching the Baggies come within inches of breaking the deadlock during their 0-0 draw with West Ham.

The home side rarely threatened Scott Carson's goal with James Morrison, Marc-Antonie Fortuné and Jonathan Greening all going close to scoring whilst Premier League debutant Shelton Martis hit the crossbar with a header.

Mowbray gave full Premier League debuts to Shelton Martis in the heart of defence and Graeme Dorrans in midfield with Jonas Olsson also returning from injury. The gamble paid off with the debutants impressing and Albion looking far more solid in defence. However, with Jonathan Greening just behind the striker, the Baggies couldn't find a way past Robert Green in the West Ham goal.

"The players were sitting in the dressing room pretty deflated and pretty down after the game," Mowbray revealed.

"It was there for us to win. We had chances.

"I have seen West Ham a couple of times this season and, for whatever reason, they lacked the spark they showed on those occasions.

"It was a real opportunity for us to take the points and yet it slipped through our fingers.

"We are a bit deflated but we've got a real good fighting chance of staying up.

"We've got to hope this draw is a starting point."

A victory at Upton Park would've left Albion just four points from safety with nine games to play, however, Mowbray believes the points and solid-nature of the performance has set the Baggies up to mount a serious relegation fight.

"We always show confidence," he said.

"We move the ball very well about the pitch.

"I talk very often about the weeks when we play two up front and invariably we lose soft goals.

"Yet today we set up more solidly and didn't concede any.

"But we didn't score any either.

"That is what has been called the 'short blanket'.

"You haven't quite got the quality to do both, keep clean-sheets AND score goals.

"We are very disappointed not to take three points because the chance was there and it would have been a great springboard for Saturday.

"But if we win the next two games, it will look like a decent point."