And defender confident Baggies will improve at Cardiff
BILLY Jones insists he is ready to kick on against Cardiff on Saturday (ko 3pm) after coming through 90 minutes in the 2-0 defeat by Norwich.
The Baggies right-back revealed he was left out of the previous game against Manchester City as a precaution after only coming back from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury at Newcastle four days earlier.
But he is now eager to help Steve Clarke’s men get mean again after seeing them concede at least two goals in each of the last five games – and more in total than in their opening ten Barclays Premier League fixtures.
“The positive from a personal point of view was getting 90 minutes under my belt on Saturday,” said Jones.
“I felt fit and good in the Newcastle game but the hamstring went a bit tight afterwards, without me feeling any twinges.
“The medical chaps decided the Man City game a little bit too soon for me.
“So it was nice to get a 90 minutes and get that confidence again.
“We go into a couple of back-to-back Saturday games now and I’m sure my hamstring swill be fine.
“Hopefully I’ll be flying and ready to go.”
He added: “We can’t dwell on games too long because another one comes around quick enough.
“I’m sure the gaffer and the coaching staff will look at the video of the last game and see where we need to improve.
“We’ll have to go into the Cardiff game with an improved performance first and foremost, with everyone working hard as an XI.
“It’s a hard place to go but hopefully we’ll get a positive result.”