[h=3]Talking Point: Albion's defensive record key to their challenge[/h]3:00pm Thursday 24th April 2014 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Oscar Garcia does not have the wealth of attacking power at the disposal of Brendan Rodgers
Liverpool have been wonderful to watch this season under Brendan Rodgers.
It will be refreshing if they clinch the title but, for all their attacking prowess, it does not say much for the Premier League if they win it with their dodgy defence.
It is all very well if you have Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling to outscore the opposition. Most managers, including Oscar Garcia, do not have that luxury. For them the starting point has to be the increasingly lost art of defending.
Albion have kept 19 clean sheets, almost one every other game, and have by far the best defensive record of the seven sides still competing for the final play-off spot.
All the others have conceded well over 50 goals apiece compared to Albion's 39. This is hugely significant. The congested race for sixth place could well hinge on goal difference.
It would be lovely to emulate Liverpool's recent results: 3-2, 3-2, 2-1, 4-0, 2-1, 6-3 but that is fantasy stuff with the resources at Oscar's disposal.
Albion have thrown in a 4-1 at Leicester and 3-0 against Charlton in their own six-match unbeaten run but it's the eight 1-0 wins recorded in the league this season which have under-pinned their challenge. A couple more and even goal-craving supporters will be celebrating.
Original article
Liverpool have been wonderful to watch this season under Brendan Rodgers.
It will be refreshing if they clinch the title but, for all their attacking prowess, it does not say much for the Premier League if they win it with their dodgy defence.
It is all very well if you have Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling to outscore the opposition. Most managers, including Oscar Garcia, do not have that luxury. For them the starting point has to be the increasingly lost art of defending.
Albion have kept 19 clean sheets, almost one every other game, and have by far the best defensive record of the seven sides still competing for the final play-off spot.
All the others have conceded well over 50 goals apiece compared to Albion's 39. This is hugely significant. The congested race for sixth place could well hinge on goal difference.
It would be lovely to emulate Liverpool's recent results: 3-2, 3-2, 2-1, 4-0, 2-1, 6-3 but that is fantasy stuff with the resources at Oscar's disposal.
Albion have thrown in a 4-1 at Leicester and 3-0 against Charlton in their own six-match unbeaten run but it's the eight 1-0 wins recorded in the league this season which have under-pinned their challenge. A couple more and even goal-craving supporters will be celebrating.
Original article