Mowbray hails 'pragmatic performance'

Albion boss Tony Mowbray was full of praise for his players after yesterday's 3-0 steady victory over an in-form Plymouth side returned the Baggies back to welcome winning ways. A disappointing run of three games without a win had seen the former league leaders drop to fourth, however yesterday's victory pegged back second place Stoke City's four point advantage with two games now in-hand for Mowbray's men.

Zoltan Gera gave the home side the advantage going into half-time slotting home a left-foot tap-in only a minute before the break. Unlike most games at The Hawthorns this season neither goalkeeper was really troubled with Albion un-characteristically failing to create any clear chances and a solid Baggies rearguard repelling Argyle's attacking force.

However once Ishmael Miller's ambitious volley found the top-corner in the 59^th minute with his 12^th goal of the campaign the points were never in doubt with Roman Bednar continuing his impressive scoring streak turning in a Zoltan Gera knock-down eight minutes later.

"There was an edginess about the team and I can understand why that was," said Mowbray.

"But there was also a real determination about the players.

"I can't remember Dean Kiely having a save to make.

"Defensively we were very well set out today.

"While we don't compromise our beliefs, it's important we defensively give ourselves the chance to win football matches - particularly at home.

"We've lost the first goal at home too often and have to go chasing games, which leaves us vulnerable.

"Last week we tried to win a game when it was 1-1 and ended up losing it.

"Today we played against a team that had won four games on the bounce and we pretty comprehensively won the game.

"I think it was a professional, pragmatic performance today.

"We got the result we needed.

"We were disappointed about dropping away from the top-two spaces.

"And there is a real determination to make sure everyone in the division knows we are still in there fighting.

"You've got to give great credit to Stoke, Bristol City and Watford and the other teams that are hanging in there.

"It's a very exciting league and we feel we've got the players and the quality to be in the shake-up so, let's wait and see.

"We've been in and around it all year and it seems a long time since we've been out of the top six.

"We intend to make sure we are very competitive in the last 12 games."

The Albion chief reserved special praise for super-sub Zoltan Gera who put the disappointment of being selected on the bench behind him to open the scoring then set-up Roman Bednar for the Baggies' third goal.

"The team has got a lot of humility about it this year," the Baggies boss added.

"The players understand when they're sitting on the bench we're all going to achieve together - and Zoltan is no different.

"There are no players in my squad who spit their dummy out when they're not in the team.

"When they are not playing they get on with it, understand the reasons and stick together.

"While we're disappointed for Filipe, to have Zoltan coming off the bench hopefully shows the quality we've got."