Mowbray looks ahead after Chelsea defeat

Last updated : 16 November 2008 By Wba-mad Editor

After Albion's 3-0 reverse to Premiership leaders Chelsea at The Hawthorns yesterday, Baggies boss Tony Mowbray admitted he was looking ahead to taking on the challenge of visiting Stoke and Wigan Athletic.

The Baggies have picked up just one point in their last six games and now prop up the table - albeit only three points off 12th spot - after facing Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool away, plus Chelsea at home in recent games.

However, the fixture list now sees the Baggies travelling to Stoke, Wigan and Sunderland, with Pompey sandwiched between the Latics and Black Cats, before Christmas with Mowbray claiming forthcoming fixtures are ones Albion can look to take points from.

"There are some difficult fixtures to come," Mowbray admitted.

"But they are games we've got to try and take points from.

"We've got two tough away games coming up on the back of the real tough run we've had.

"We only got the one point against Blackburn but with a bit more guile it could have been three.

"We've got to knuckle down, look forward to the challenge ahead and get on with it."

The Baggies boss stuck with the same 4-4-2 formation against the Blues which started at Anfield insisting that, as underdogs, you have to take the game to the classier opposition and think positive.

"You can't shut-up shop against teams like that," Mowbray added.

"I sat and watched them against Middlesbrough, who tried to shut-up shop by playing one up front and having everyone else back - and Boro lost 5-0.

"We can't shut-up shop against Chelsea - who can?

"Maybe Manchester United and Liverpool can.

"Chelsea have the quality to pick teams off.

"I haven't seen the replay of the first goal and I don't know if it was a bit of brilliance, a bit fortunate, poor goalkeeping or a great finish.

"The first goal is important when you play one of the big sides because if they get it, they can relax and settle down and wait for you to commit more men forward.

"If you get the first goal it makes it a bit more tense for them.

"They can over-commit and you can pick more holes in them.

"Unfortunately, Chelsea got it tonight and then two great finishes by Anelka put us to the sword at the end of the first half.

"It allowed them to pass it around and relax.

"They didn't have to commit men forward, their full-backs didn't have to push on and they could just sit there nice and tight and make it difficult for us to create chances.

"That's what the best teams do and it is no disgrace to us.

"They had Drogba and Ballack coming on - it's not bad when you've got those kind of resources behind you.

"Chelsea have got to battle with Liverpool and Manchester United for the Premier League and we've got a battle of our own to take care of at the other end."