Club News

Brunt on City defeat, Leko impact and more

Midfielder makes 250th league start for Baggies

CHRIS Brunt reacted to Albion's disappointing 4-0 Premier League defeat to high-flying Manchester City at The Hawthorns.

Following back-to-back substitute appearances, the fit-again Northern Ireland international was making his first start since suffering a knee injury in February - his 250th start for the club in league competition.

But it was a day to remember for all the wrong reasons as two goals apiece from Sergio Aguero and llkay Gundogan wrapped up victory for the league leaders.

Brunt on the defeat and performance...
"In the first half they were much better than us and scored two good goals, we were desperate for half-time in the end. We couldn't get any pressure on them at all. We didn't create anything.
"And then in the second half we came out and had a bit of a go, kept the ball, moved it about and had a few chances. 
"We probably needed to score when we were on top, we knew what a good side they are on the break, we saw it all week on the videos in the meetings we've done and we got punished twice at the end.
"But I think in the second half we came out swinging and there was at least a few positives for us to take.
'I know 4-0 looks like a bit of a drubbing but for long spells in the second half we were maybe the better side I think."

Brunt on Albion's early second-half substitutions...
"I think he (the gaffer) probably felt he had to, we weren't getting much of a foothold in the game.
"When he brought on young Jon Leko on the right, he gives you something very different. He came on and got (Aleksandar) Kolarov booked straightaway and then he created a few things.
"There was one ball when Gareth (McAuley) hit a post and he looked dangerous.
"I think we kept the ball and moved it better, we created better angles for each other to play and pass the ball, which got us further up the pitch in better positions.
"It was a long old afternoon, we will take a few positives out of the second half but 4-0 looks like a drubbing."

Brunt on a positive display from Leko...
"He's a talented boy. You see what he can do to experienced full-backs, international full-backs.
"He's got great ability, great skill. He's obviously a young lad but once he gets more experience under his belt, a few more games and gets a bit more streetwise to the Premier league he'll be a handful."