Deon Burton has reflected on a varied week for Albion’s PL2 side as he prepares for their next test against Norwich City at Aggborough Stadium on Monday (ko 7pm).
A 1-0 Premier League Cup defeat against Newcastle on Monday was followed up by a 3-0 win in the same competition against Scunthorpe on Thursday - a result Burton is hoping his youngsters can build on against the Canaries.
Last time the two sides came together it was a six goal thriller, with Albion winning 4-2, and Deon is hoping for another exciting game.
“The Newcastle game was the first time in a long while that I can say we were not at our best,” said Burton.
“We didn’t really get going, we put the effort in but didn’t really make the most of the few chances we created. It may have been slow play or our final ball, but it just wasn’t right on the day - I think our decision making in attack and defence was one of the main reasons for this.
“As a coach you always reflect and try to think what could we of done to prepare ourselves better, but on this occasion Newcastle were the better team. The good thing was we had the opportunity to make it right and learn from our mistakes three days later against Scunthorpe and we did that.
“The high tempo that has got us so much success in the past weeks was back and the young players that came into the team deserve credit for that. I think we had 4 scholars in the starting 11 and the determination and willingness to work for each other was evident and the lads deserved to win and progress in the competition.
“I’m looking forward to the Norwich game. They are similar to Aston Villa; they will be young, enthusiastic and hardworking, so it will make for a good game.
“Training this week has been pretty light as we’ve worked around the two matches. We have kept the lads ticking over and managed their needs on an individual basis so that they are all fresh and ready to go again on Monday evening.”
