Leeds United drew 1-1 with Derby County on Saturday.
West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic has told the Birmingham Mail that he thought Leeds United conceded a ‘very sloppy’ goal against Derby County.
The Baggies managed to come from 2-1 down to beat Huddersfield Town 4-2 on Sunday afternoon, with substitute Grady Diangana making a big impact.
The result took West Brom back up to fourth in the Championship table, and keeps them as the only unbeaten team in the division so far this season.
West Brom are just one point off top spot, but some have been critical of their defending against Huddersfield, with defender Kyle Bartley particularly sloppy.
Whereas leaders Leeds have conceded just four goals this season, West Brom have leaked 10, the second-highest amount in the top half of the Championship table.
Bilic has responded to the criticism by admitting that he would like to be better in 50/50s to improve West Brom defensively, but suggests he won’t become obsessed with clean sheets.
Bilic did though highlight that Leeds may be ‘very good’ defensively, but even they conceded a ‘very sloppy’ goal against Derby County to draw 1-1, so clean sheets can’t be guaranteed.
“I would love us, in the defensive transition, to close them better,” said Bilic. “To be better on 50/50s, to be better on second balls and in protection of the player who is challenging – make it two against one. It’s easy to talk, but if we do them it should put us in a better position to keep a clean sheet. I’m not going to be obsessed with clean sheets, clean sheets, clean sheets. Let’s improve on those things, and then the clean sheets will come.”
“That’s the area – I mean it’s obvious. Look at the teams around us – Leeds conceded a goal on Saturday, a very sloppy goal, in the 93rd minute at home and they were too open. But they’ve conceded only three or four goals, so they’re very good. You can’t guarantee a clean sheet but you can make it harder for them,” he added.
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