Ian Holloway blasts ‘silly’ moment in West Brom win over QPR as Dean Ashton hails Corberan ‘authority’

Dean Ashton has claimed that he expects West Brom to record plenty of clean sheets under new manager Carlos Corberan.

The Baggies held out for a resolute 1-0 win over a high-flying QPR side on Saturday afternoon in the Spaniard’s third match at the helm, with Kyle Bartley scoring the only goal of the game. The defender rose highest to nod home a pacy free-kick delivery in the 68th minute.

And aside from a smart save from Alex Palmer to deny a ranged Lyndon Dykes effort, Albion remained largely untroubled throughout the clash at Loftus Road. Reflecting on the Baggies’ win, former West Ham striker Ashton suggested that defensive solidity could become a hallmark of Corberan’s tenure.

Speaking on ITV’s EFL Highlight Show, he said: “I think [clean sheets] are what we’re going to see from a Carlos Corberan team. We saw it at Huddersfield last season.

“Since the start of last season a Corberan team has won 25 league games, 16 have those have been with a clean sheet. He likes his centre-backs scoring from set-plays as well, so already he’s stamping his authority on this West Brom team which was needed, because they’re down there.”

Another moment of relative unease for West Brom came in the 86th minute when QPR winger Albert Adomah was seemingly hauled down inside the Baggies’ penalty area. The referee, however, took the decision to wave the incident away - much to the chagrin of former R’s boss Ian Holloway.

When asked whether or not his old club should have been awarded a spot kick, he said: “Silly question to me, mate. Totally and utterly... look at him, ref! Come on! Honestly, who’s the ref? That is... sometimes you don’t get them, do you?”