'Woeful' defending again costs Baggies

Tony Mowbray insists he's taken great heart and confidence from Albion's second-half performance at Newcastle but is well aware the Baggies' shocking first-half showing cost them a share of the points and a third consecutive defeat as a result.

Albion have now conceded nine goals in three games and were caught short in a first-half where Newcastle steamrollered into a two-goal advantage at half-time after some shambolic defending.

Although the Baggies came out fighting in the second-half, with Ishmael Miller finally claiming his first Premiership goal, Mowbray admits his side will have to keep to the same level of performance as they did in the second 45-minutes to find any degree of success in the top-flight.

"It was the proverbial game of two halves," the Baggies boss said after the final whistle.

"We were playing a Newcastle team not thriving on confidence and, with the way we asked the team to play, it was an opportunity to go there and put more pressure on them.

"But we didn't cope defensively in the first half and gave ourselves a mountain to climb.

"The secret was not to go behind early because if we had stayed in the game and played like we did second half in the first half, I think their supporters may have got on Newcastle's back.

"But we gave them a dream start and generally our defending in the first half was woeful.

"We had a few words at half-time.

"We needed to improve.

"We did in the second half and that helped the team to play higher up the pitch.

"We tightened up and created enough chances to get something.

"It was a huge improvement on the first half.

"That's got to be the standard for us week in, week out.

"Our second-half performance should give the players the belief they can cause teams problems in this league.

"With a bit of good fortune we may have nicked a point.

"We had enough opportunities but didn't really ask enough of their keeper.

"Having said that, if you defend like we did in the first half you probably don't deserve anything."

Although seemingly out-classed in the first period Albion were unrecognisable after the break with the visitors enjoying the majority of possession with some slick passing.

Mowbray continued: "I like my side. I think we're a good football team.

"A little bit of tonight was uncharacteristic.

"If you've watched our away games this season, we've been a lot tighter and more solid than that, apart from at Manchester United.

"But you watch the team in the second half and it gives you confidence we will be fine this season.

"I'm sure we will."