Keeper heaps praise on Pulis
BEN Foster says understanding the ‘lost art’ of defending is the foundation on which Albion’s season has been built.
The Baggies put in a resilient display at Old Trafford yesterday to earn a hard-fought 0-0 draw with 13-time Premier League champions Manchester United.
Tony Pulis’ side frustrated the hosts throughout and Mourinho’s men were forced into trying their luck from range - but Foster was equal to all their efforts, including a brilliant save to deny Marcus Rashford’s late free-kick.
And Foster insists Pulis’ knowledge of football’s forgotten discipline is paramount to the Baggies’ success so far this term.
“We’ve defended well all season and I’ve got to pay credit to the gaffer,” said the Albion No.1.
“He actually teaches defenders to defend.
“It’s a lost art nowadays and players don’t know how to defend.
“Everyone is focussed on how to attack and go forward but he teaches players how to defend and I think the lads are benefitting from that, they’ve been doing what they did yesterday all season.
“We probably don’t get enough credit for that to be honest.
“Some of the best teams go to Old Trafford and don’t see much of the ball, we knew that.
“It’s important to stay calm, patient and compact.
“Defending is seen as the boring part of the game and everyone is eager to have flair football, even from your central defenders.
“You’ve got to know your jobs and that’s the difference between us and a lot of other teams.
“You have to stick to your job, and some teams aren’t happy to do that and maybe spend too much time doing things that aren’t necessarily what they’re good at.
“There are many teams who are similar to us that think they can turn up to Old Trafford and out play players who are on £250k a week, £50million players - you can’t do it!
“That’s why we play to our strengths and we’re better at that than most teams. You can say what you want about it but we know our strengths and that’s that.”
The Baggies remain in eighth place in the Premier League after yesterday’s draw at Old Trafford, with 44 points from 30 games.