Tony Mowbray has tipped Jonas Olsson to become a top-quality footballer - but insisted the giant Swede must increase his concentration levels to succeed. The Baggies boss saw Olsson open the scoring against Sunderland then witness the summer signing assist in helping Albion keep only their seventh clean-sheet of the campaign during the 3-0 victory.
The 6tf4in uncompromising defender has been a stand-out performer at the heart of the Baggies' defence in his first season in England combining tough tackling with eye-catching ease on the ball and passing ability. Olsson's composure on the ball is something Mowbray believes top clubs around the world search for and expects to receive a number of enquiries for the 26-year-old when the season finishes.
However, to reach the very top, Mowbray - a former centre-half himself - has told Olsson and the rest of his defenders they must improve their levels of concentration if they are to progress as top-flight footballers.
"That's our biggest danger," Mowbray admitted.
"For example, I generally like my defenders but they haven't been able to produce the consistency of keeping the ball out of the net for 90 minutes.
"I would suggest that, for 70 or 80 minutes during most games, they have been good.
"Yet one bad mistake and it's a goal.
"To highlight that, I could talk about Jonas.
"Make no mistake, I like Jonas.
"He's a good footballer, a real man of a competitor and yet look at the penalty we conceded at Manchester City last week.
"We'd just made it 2-2 and he lunges in.
"That doesn't mean I want to bin him because when he's fully used to the English game he will develop into a top player.
"I'll probably be fielding bids for him because he's so good with the ball - top teams like that type of defender.
"I'd have him in my team every time."