James Morrison offered an honest assessment of Albion’s performance at Oxford United on Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies were beaten 2-1 by the U’s at the Kassam Stadium. Headers from Stanley Mills and Will Lankshear put the hosts 2-0 up inside 27 minutes, but Ollie Bostock pulled one back when his long-range strike took a deflection and went in.
Albion saw more than enough of the ball, yet failed to turn possession into many meaningful opportunities.
Morrison says the defending for the two United goals was “unacceptable” and admitted the afternoon as a whole was an incredibly frustrating one.
He said: “I thought we started well in the first 15 minutes, but then I’m really disappointed with the manner of the goals that followed.
“We said in the week what their game plan would be and we just let it happen. It’s not acceptable. It’s been a problem all season and we’ve got to, somehow, quickly get rid of that problem.
“It’s really frustrating and disappointing that around their box we weren’t brave enough, didn’t create enough and didn’t take the game by the scruff of the neck.
“They’ve had two shots from the set-plays and scored two goals. I didn’t feel any danger in open play. We’ve made mistakes which have led to their goals and there’s not been any bravery to go and deal with the crosses. We talked about their strikers backing in and trying to win free-kicks. We gave a free-kick away and we’re 2-0 down. It’s an uphill battle from there.
“I’m really pleased for Ollie Bostock because he showed a bit of grit and confidence when he came on, and he was probably the only one to come out of today’s game with a bit of credit. He deserved that today because he’s been waiting all year for his chance and he’s taken it.
“There were words in the dressing room after the game, but I want what was said to remain in the dressing room. There were some harsh words, but there has to be. You can see that I’m frustrated. That was a big game for us today.
“The supporters have every right to show their frustration. We feel that frustration. I don’t want to use the clichés of sticking together or anything like that. They come in their numbers to support us and it’s up to us to turn it around. We have a week of work between now and our next game and we will be working.”
