Right-back says he had fantastic view of penalty shout
BILLY Jones heaped praise on Stoke's Asmir Begovic – after the keeper pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Albion all three points at the Britannia Stadium.
But the 26-year-old felt the big Bosnian should have faced the ultimate test of a Baggies spot-kick.
Stephane Sessegnon saw two one-on-ones blocked by the Potters No.1 – who was also quick off his line to stop Morgan Amalfitano’s first-half effort.
And Jones believes, with Begovic between the sticks, Albion might not have scored if they had played for another two hours.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t score but we could have been here until seven or eight o’clock and we wouldn’t have scored because Begovic was having one of those days,” said Jones.
“Sometimes you come up against a keeper who’s in great form.
“That was the case today.
“He stopped us getting the three points.”
Albion should have been awarded a second-half penalty when Youssouf Mulumbu was felled by Charlie Adam inside the area.
Jones insists the Baggies were unlucky and believes he had one of the best views of the incident.
“I was right behind our penalty shout and I might have had the best view on the pitch,” he added.
“I thought it was a penalty and I thought he clipped Youssouf’s heel.
“Whether it is accidental or not, it’s a penalty.
“It was a shame that the referee and linesman didn’t see it.
“It will be interesting to see more replays of it later tonight.”
The Shrewsbury-born right-back is delighted the Baggies have extended their unbeaten run to five successive Barclays Premier League fixtures – with a trip to Liverpool next Saturday looming (ko 3pm).
“Overall, we’re happy to have got a point as this is a difficult place to come.
“We’re disappointed not to have won the game having created so many good chances.
“It was a good team performance.
“We’re always happy with an away point and we’re still unbeaten away but I think we deserved the three points today.
“We’re confident and you get that confidence from playing well as a team.
“We’re unbeaten in five and that includes a win at Old Trafford and a draw against Arsenal so we know we're capable of going to Anfield and doing what we did last year - which is getting three points.”