Jimmy Shan says Monday’s draw at Reading can help build the “clean-sheet mentality” he hopes will propel Albion to promotion in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs.
Sam Johnstone recorded his ninth shutout of the campaign at the Madejski Stadium with Albion leaving Berkshire frustrated after creating a host of goalscoring opportunities.
Jay Rodriguez and Rekeem Harper both hit the woodwork with Emi Martinez standing firm in the Royals goal to halt the Baggies’ second-half onslaught.
But Shan says Albion - who have netted 84 goals this term - can take confidence from the clean sheet with a Play-Off spot now confirmed.
“In the second half there were chances at both ends, it certainly wasn’t a boring 0-0,” said the caretaker Head Coach.
“On the balance it was probably a fair result, it was pretty even. I’d imagine chances were pretty even as well.
“In the last 10 to 15 minutes there was only one team that wanted to win the game. We created so many chances in the closing stages.
“It wouldn’t go for us, and we could have played for another 15 minutes and it probably wouldn’t have gone in, it was one of them days.
“From my point of view and for the dressing room, it was really important to get a clean sheet.
“We defended very well in the back third of the pitch. We were difficult to penetrate and play through so we’re delighted with the clean sheet.
“I’ve got no doubts about our attacking ability and what we can do in the final third and you’ve only got to look at how many goals we’ve scored this season. We haven’t kept too many clean sheets so it’s another one to add to that.
“I think when you have a clean-sheet mentality, when you have what we have at the top end of the pitch, we’ll always look a threat and we’ll always score goals.”
