We need clean sheets, insists West Brom striker Simon Cox

Nov 24 2009 by Ken Montgomery, Birmingham Mail

SIMON Cox believes clean sheets will be vital to Albion’s chances of promotion.

The striker scored his second league goal of the campaign in Saturday’s 4-1 win against Bristol City.

It took Albion’s tally to 11 goals in three games, nine of which have come in the club’s last two home fixtures.

But Cox believes Albion’s scoring prowess means there will be an onus on the defence to do their side of the job at the other end.

And the ex-Swindon man reckons that the performance of Albion’s backline, along with in-form Scott Carson, will be critical to their hopes of success.

Albion went up as champions with 80 points two seasons ago, conceding more goals than Leicester City, who were relegated during the same campaign.

The Baggies’ want of clean sheets was highlighted by a heated exchange between Jonas Olsson and Chris Brunt after they conceded a long-range free-kick to Bristol City on Saturday – when Albion were already four goals up.

“It’s just a shame we’ve not kept more clean sheets than Scott or the back four have warranted,” said Cox.

“If you look at the last two goals we’ve conceded they were both from long range so there was not really much the goalkeeper or defence could have done about them anyway.

“We have to work on keeping more clean sheets because that will win us the league.

“Not conceding goals will be vital because we know we can score them.”

Cox reserved particular praise for Carson, who produced a series of saves to deny City during Saturday’s game.

“He’s been superb for us in recent weeks,” he added.

“You can see why he’s an England international.”