Roman’s backing Ishmael

Oct 6 2008

ISHMAEL Miller has been told to keep his spirits up by team-mate Roman Bednar as he continues to search for his first Premier League goal.

Miller has yet to score in the top flight despite a hard-working display in Saturday’s win against Fulham.

The striker was criticised in Albion’s previous game, at Middlesbrough, for squandering three late chances when Bednar and Borja Valero were better placed.

Bednar has tried to encourage Miller but concedes that the young striker’s inexperience may leave him prone to errors of misjudgement.

“Miller was fantastic on Saturday,” said Bednar. “But the point is that he must pass when we’re two against one – he knows that and we’ve spoken about it.

“(At Middlesbrough) I was shouting ‘pass, pass, pass’ but it didn’t go in.

“But even one against one he didn’t hit the target so sometimes it’s just one of those things.

“Sometimes he has to make better decisions. I made some bad decisions myself on Saturday when I wasted some passes.

“We spoke about it, he’s worked hard but maybe he needs a goal for his confidence.

“And that’s probably another reason why he didn’t pass last week and why he’s so determined.

“He’s a striker, I’m a striker and I’m not scoring I get angry but he’s a hungry player and if he stays hungry he will score.”