Mowbray cracks the whip

The absence of a midweek game may mean a rest-bite for some teams but not for the Baggies as Tony Mowbray puts his squad through their paces on the training pitch ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie at Peterborough (KO 3pm).

The seven-day break between games has been ideal for Mowbray as the attention switches away from the league and to the tricky at London Road in the fourth round.

"You know when your players need a breather or a rest," said Mowbray.

"A couple of weeks ago they did.

"Their workload was extreme.

"Supporters and people in the street might find it very difficult to understand how a footballer, who is perceived as being pampered, could need a rest when all he does is play 90 minutes.

"But as a professional you can see the mental strain on the players, plus the drain on their energy levels.

"Sometimes they do need a break.

"But other times you have to work them hard, keep them going and keep the focus right.

"As we saw against Cardiff last weekend, we've got plenty to work on this week so I don't think there is a case for rest and recovery.

"I think there's a case for getting out on the training ground and trying to improve certain areas of the team."

After conceding three goals in a game for the sixth time this season against Cardiff on Saturday, one particular area of focus will be the defensive unit as the Baggies boss looks to reduce the goals-against column.

"Nobody likes conceding goals and I'm no different," Mowbray continued.

"I definitely don't like conceding goals after 29 seconds because you give yourselves an uphill task in chasing the game.

"We maybe conceded three goals because we went chasing a game from practically the first whistle.

"The way I like to set my team out when we're chasing a game is to take chances.

"Therefore, we leave ourselves a bit more vulnerable.

"Cardiff might not have scored three goals against us had it been 0-0 at half-time, or had we taken the lead.

"It's a little bit easy to say we conceded three goals and ask what the defence is doing wrong.

"But it's not about individuals, it's about the team.

"I'm not over-concerned but there is room for work there.

"I am very aware that we lost two against Charlton and three against Cardiff."

And although Albion may have conceded five goals in the past two matches only three of the top nine Championship sides have a better goals-against record than the Baggies.

"We do work hard on the training ground," Mowbray insisted.

"I know it might look at times like we don't do any defensive work - but we do a lot of defensive work.

"That's why the frustration grows.

"The players want to get back to it, as does the goalkeeper - and get lots of clean-sheets if possible.

"I'm sure there will be a good few clean-sheets in the last 18 games.

"It's not a major concern."