Albion boss' praise for keeper
Albion boss Tony Mowbray today saluted veteran goalkeeper Dean Kiely's show of character following the Baggies' Barnsley nightmare.
Kiely was blamed by some fans for Albion's 2-1 defeat at Oakwell but he has bounced back with impressive displays and clean sheets against Sheffield United and Coventry.
And Mowbray believes the arrival of January signing Michal Danek has helped bring out the best in 37-year-old Kiely, who signed a new 18-month contract last month.
"I'm pleased for Dean," said Mowbray. "It was a tough day for everybody at Barnsley but the team have reacted in the right fashion and in a very determined manner.
"We showed good mental toughness to bounce back from a well-below-par performance.
"It wasn't really from one individual, it was from everybody, but I'm pleased for Dean to have two clean sheets on the bounce after that game.
"It was an uncomfortable day for Dean and for everybody."
And Mowbray again stressed his faith in Kiely despite the deadline day signing of Czech keeper Michal Danek from Viktoria Plzen.
"Goalkeepers are a unique breed of footballers," said Mowbray.
"They understand they are always in the spotlight when goals go in. Dean needed to react to that and he has done.
"Throughout his career Dean has faced stiff competition for his place for, but that's what goalkeepers are all about.
"One below-par day doesn't make you change everything and I'm pretty determined not to do that."
Meanwhile, the manager has insisted the Baggies' FA Cup adventure is now on the back burner as they prepare to return to Championship action against Hull at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
"The focus is on the league now," said Mowbray.
"The cup is what it is and as soon as the game finished at the weekend our focus was on the next game, which is Hull at home."
