Adam Webster says a strong defensive performance by the whole team was a key element in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.
Webster was only one of three recognised defenders in the starting XI at Old Trafford, but our collective work-rate and organisation stood out, especially in the second half. By the end Tariq Lamptey and debutant Levi Colwill were on as we saw out the last 20 minutes after United had pulled a goal back.
“We had three defenders in the side but our midfielders do a lot of work and cover a lot of distance tracking their runners,” said Webster. “That allows us to be aggressive in the one-v-one situations. The team spirit we have was on show in the second half. We all work hard for each other and almost do one and half jobs. We know our roles and responsibilities, it’s pretty seamless.
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Levi [Colwill] came on at the end and settled in well. We only had one session on the training ground with him, but we have a really good group and we will help him develop.”
Albion’s game plan was to go a bit more direct than usual and in the first half it paid off spectacularly as Pascal Gross’s double put us 2-0 up.
“United pressed as a team well and we took that out of their game by going a bit more direct,” said Webster. “We played in their half and took our goals well. We knew there would be a reaction and we’d come under the cosh but we defended resolutely, and Danny Welbeck should have had a penalty in the second half.”
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Having finished last season so strongly Webster says it’s been business as usual despite the departure of Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella in the summer.
“We finished last season so strongly and it just shows the spirit we have that we’ve got this result having lost a couple of key players,” said Webster. “Replacements have come in and slotted in straight away, which shows the strength of the group.
“We want to improve every season. It’s a great start but we have another difficult game to focus on now against Newcastle on Saturday.”