WALSALL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 2: Daryl Dike of West Bromwich Albion takes part in a light training session wth new signings Mason Holgate of West Bromwich Albion and Mikey Johnstone of West Bromwich Albion at the West Bromwich Albion Training Ground on September 2, 2024 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
Carlos Corberan points finger after ‘regretful’ West Brom draw at Oxford United.
West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan has pinpointed what went wrong in the 1-1 draw away at Oxford United.
The Baggies looked set to be heading home with all three points courtesy of Karlan Grant’s first-half opener, but a lapse of concentration in the dying embers of the match allowed Dane Scarlett to net a stoppage-time equaliser for the Us.
Oxford, beaten just three times in 10 games, have started the season superbly following their promotion from League One. Even so, Albion will have seen their trip to Kassam Stadium as a must-win and there’s great frustration that points were dropped at the death.
Corberan has admitted poor game management cost West Brom victory on Saturday afternoon. The head coach has demanded his players pay closer attention to maintaining control in the latter stages of games to avoid the same happening again.
“The way we have lost our lead shows that we should have managed the last few minutes of the game better,” Corberan said in the post-match press conference.
“In the last moments it’s not the moment to take more risks and break the press. It’s the moment to put the ball in the attacking half and find the way to defend yourself by using the ball. You have to keep the ball and not give the opponent the possibility to attack you.
“If you don’t do that, you are giving them the possibility to attack you, put balls in the box and create something. That’s the point we’ll regret. We weren’t able to put the ball in the attacking half and, without creating chances, they’ve won a throw which has given them the possibility to score the goal.
“The players in the dressing room are upset and frustrated. I don’t need to motivate anyone to do better. We know how difficult the Championship is and how every game is a different challenge. To win games, we need to find ways to control more of the details.”
