Boss praise for defenders

Tony Mowbray has laid praise on Leon Barnett after his eye-catching performance against Arsenal and Marek Cech on his impact after his arrival from Porto. Barnett shone at the heart of the Albion defence keeping 30-goal Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, quiet for the majority of the game while Cech has given Mowbray a welcome option down the left.

"I thought Leon was a big positive," Mowbray commented on Barnett's Arsenal display.

"Leon is a young boy, who not much more than a year ago was playing at a lot different standard when he was competing to stay in the Championship.

"He's made a huge jump and he's coming on leaps and bounds every day.

"There is a bright future for Leon on the evidence of playing against those players on Saturday.

"He did exceptionally well.

"Part of any player's job as you go along is to learn.

"Any defeat, bad performance is not the end of the road.

"You've got to get back to training and try to learn those lessons to make you better in the next game.

"I'm sure Leon will do that.

"But no two games are the same.

"A lot of Saturday we were defending deeper because they pushed us back.

"There was a spell in the second half where he learnt about pressing in their half and there is space in behind you, and you need to know when to loosen off a bit and when to get tight.

"They are all very important lessons in a young defender's progress.

"He came through with flying colours."

The versatility Cech brings to the team has also got Mowbray singing the praises of the Slovenian international with the defender featuring on both flanks during the Arsenal defeat. Initially brought to bring added competition for Paul Robinson, Cech's experience and talent is something which Mowbray believes can only benefit his squad.

"By bringing Marek in I was trying to create competition in all areas of the pitch," Mowbray added.

"It is important that Paul Robinson has genuine competition for his position.

"Maybe the fact that Marek Cech is at the club contributed to the fact that Paul Robinson gave such an outstanding performance on Saturday.

"It might not have been the direct reason but I think competition focuses the mind of every footballer in the team.

"It's important that we have that competition and Marek understands.