John Swift of West Brom aims to recover from late drama
John Swift feels Albion have made a decent start to their campaign – but are focused on a response after late drama last time out.
Carlos Corberan’s Baggies lost at home for the first time this season as Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield struck in the 96th minute to leave a sour taste before the international break. Albion returned to training this week after a couple of recovery days off with Corberan admitting there is work to be done due to a leaky defensive record so far this term. Swift, who netted Albion’s equaliser against the Terriers and already has three goals this term, believes Albion’s start to the campaign has been “good not great”. “I think we’re always looking to be better, especially at home,” Swift said.
“The gaffer claimed the league was highly competitive. When Huddersfield, a team without a victory, visited The Hawthorns and won all three points, we had just defeated Middlesbrough, considered to be one of the best teams.
So, overall, it’s a solid start, but not a spectacular one. Everyone who will be here knows who they are now that the transfer window has closed, so we need to remain together, work hard on the practice field, and perhaps games like this one will help us advance.
Albion’s home record under Corberan is among the best in the top four divisions, but with just a point from two games so far this season and an EFL Cup exit, changes are needed away from the stadium.
Attacker Swift acknowledged that retaliation is necessary.
Swift remarked of carrying a humiliating loss into a break from international competition, “It is the worst thing, you’d rather have a game as soon as possible to put it right.”
“But we shouldn’t think too much about it; we’ve had plenty of possession and opportunities.
We simply need to fix it at Bristol by working on the practice field during the break.
With two victories and two losses from five games, Albion is ranked eleventh.
After returning to action with a Saturday week trip to Ashton Gate, Corberan’s team enters a demanding stretch with a Wednesday matchup at Watford’s Vicarage Road.
On September 23, when the Baggies take on Millwall at The Hawthorns, there will be a minute of applause in honor of Ian Hamilton, who passed away this week.