West Brom defender frustrated after squad work to improve weakness
The experienced Albion defender was left frustrated by the manner of Preston’s late opening goal to break the deadlock at Deepdale.
Defender Chris Mepham stressed frustrated Albion must improve on their set-piece defending after Saturday’s blow at Preston.
The Baggies were held to a trying draw in treacherous conditions at Deepdale having fallen behind to a soft Andrew Hughes opening goal from a corner late on.
Albion did claim a share of the spoils through substitute Aune Heggebo four minutes later - an 11th point rescued from losing positions already this season - after a sixth game on the spin conceding first.
Set-pieces have been below-par at both ends for James Morrison’s side this season and centre-back Mepham, who continued his assured form, revealed the squad are trying to work on their fortunes from dead balls.
"Yes it is (completely avoidable) - it's really frustrating, back-to-back weeks now we've conceded from a set-piece,” Mepham said.
Sign up to our free newsletter here.
"Again it gives you a mountain to climb. In the last game we went 2-0 down in 10 minutes. I think set-pieces are massive in the game, we do actually put a lot of time and effort into it.
"We spent a good 10 or 15 minutes before training yesterday going through them. I think when there's chaos in those moments you need real clear heads and everyone on the pitch at the time needs to know what their role is.
"It's really frustrating, it's easily avoidable. I don't think we get too many soft goals like that from set-pieces. It's something we need to look at and improve going forward."
Mepham put in another composed display at the heart of defence having started in all but one - against Wolves - of the last six games after winning his place from Nat Phillips, who made a couple of high-profile errors. Clean sheets remain an issue, too, with just two in 13 this term.
Boss Morrison was left clearly irritated by a lack of composure and clinical touch in the final third throughout. Albion played some nice football at times against the basement boys, but did not convert their good positions into clear-cut chances.
The Wales international defender said: "I think we created more than enough opportunities to win the game. But I suppose the big positive, coming from behind again, there's no questioning our resilience.
"I think we just need to be a little more clinical in front of goal. You saw towards the end with Rabby (Nzingoula) and a couple of other moments. On another afternoon we'd end up winning comfortably.”