But stand-in skipper admits frustration at another last-gasp defeat
JONAS Olsson admitted he was frustrated by yesterday’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Newcastle – but was encouraged to see the strength in depth Albion now possess in their squad.The Baggies were without key man Claudio Yacob for the first time in the Barclays Premier League this season due to injury.
His absence forced a midfield reshuffle, with James Morrison dropping back to partner Youssouf Mulumbu in front of the defence and Zoltan Gera drafted in behind front man Romelu Lukaku.
And, but for a cruel, deflected Papiss Cisse injury-time winner to rub salt into the wounds of Manchester City’s late winner the previous week, Steve Clarke’s side would have earned at least a point from a game where they deserved all three.
“It was very similar to the feeling we had against Manchester City,” said Olsson.
“It is two on the bounce now.
“We were the better team and I thought we would get three points, and if not we should have got at least one point.
“I don’t like speaking about bad luck but the goal we conceded at the end was just one of those things.
“Ameobi shanked his shot and it hit Cisse in the back and deflects in.
“It’s very disappointing.
“We are happy with the performance but in the end it’s the result that matters.
“We created some good chances, especially in the first half, but we didn’t really manage to put them in the back of the net.
“So we were a bit frustrated going into half-time but positive about creating chances and playing well.
“In the second half we got the equaliser quite early and after that there was only one team on the pitch - and I really thought we were going to win it.”
The Baggies’ stand-in skipper added: “Youssouf was brilliant, so well done to him.
“That shows the depth in our squad because we’ve got Claudio away, Reidy has been out for a few weeks and Brunty is missing as well.
“But we have players who come in and do a fantastic job.
“Shane is on the bench, Markus is on the bench and we’ve got players who can come on and change the game for us.
“That is going to be a major strength and a vital thing to have going into November and December with so many games coming up.
“We got punished in both games and, after a performance like yesterday, you feel even more gutted to come away with nothing.
“But in the back of your head it is frustrating but still a good feeling.
“I saw very little difference between the games against Newcastle and City and the games against Everton and Liverpool earlier in the season when we won.
“It is just about those small margins between bad luck and good luck, and hopefully next time we will be the team that is granted a little bit of luck.
“That is football. I had a game in Berlin with Sweden not so long ago and we were on the other side then, when we managed to pull it back and get an equaliser.
“Yesterday and against City we were on the other end of it. That is part of football.
“The passing has been a key factor of our success so far in the league – our game in possession.
“The organisation in our defence is similar to the last few years but we’re better in possession this year and more positive on the ball.
“We should remember, both against Manchester City and yesterday we managed to play good football against a top team.”