Deon Burton says intensity has been the key for Albion’s PL2 side this week as the young Baggies prepare to face Sunderland at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on Monday (ko 7pm).
Following a Jekyll and Hyde performance against Reading last time out, in which Albion trailed 2-0 at the interval before firing in four goals after the break to win 4-2 - Burton is keen to ensure the second-half performance is set as the standard to meet.
And Deon has been impressed with the quality on the training ground this week.
“Training has been very good as always,” said Deon.
“We have been focusing on playing with a high intensity and pressing the ball. It has been about getting everyone back up to speed and reflecting on the second half performance. That is what we need to do more of. It can’t just start in the games, it has got to come from training as well so it was all about intensity and pressure all week and the boys have bought into it and done really well.
“It was a game of two halves against Reading. In the first half we were a bit sluggish and had no intensity. I don’t know if it was because of the small break the lads had over Christmas, but we didn’t really get out of the blocks and before we knew it we were 2-0 down.
“I have to give great credit to the players. We came back in at half-time and we spoke about all the things we had to put right and to give credit to every single one of them, they went out in the second half and put in a performance which I knew they were definitely capable of and scored four great goals.
“Sunderland are going to be a young enthusiastic team. They are very energetic and we have to be very positive. It is going to be a long trip up there but we have to be ready for whatever comes our way and I am sure if the guys put in a performance like they did in the second half of the last game we will be fine. We have to make sure we don’t take anything for granted and we do everything right.”
