Mowbray hoping extra finishing practice pays off

Tony Mowbray is looking to guide West Bromwich Albion to the play-offs

Tony Mowbray is hoping extra hours spent on finishing drills pay off in the closing weeks of the season as his West Bromwich Albion side prepare for a play-off six-pointer against Coventry.

The Baggies manager has been putting his forwards through their paces in an effort to improve their decision-making in front of goal.

And with a win against the Sky Blues on Friday offering a route back into the play-off spots, Mowbray is hoping all that extra work on the training ground pays dividends.

"We have done so much work over the last few weeks on finishing and creating chances and getting wide players to the byline," Mowbray told BBC Radio WM.

"And when we do, do we stand it up to the back stick or do we cut it back to the penalty spot, or do we flash it across the six-yard box?

"We've done a lot of work on trying to get finishes. It's pleasing that we scored two goals from cut-backs at the weekend and I'm hoping in the last four games we will find a way to score goals and win matches."

West Brom's two goals against Watford was the first time they had scored more than once in eight games and their 51 goals this season is the lowest of the top eight.

But victory away at Coventry would see them leapfrog Frank Lampard's side back into sixth place and give them ownership of their promotion destiny with three games left.

"Coventry are a very talented team with good individuals and they are on a confident mode at the moment," said Mowbray. "They will know the urgency of this game and we can jump above them with a win.

"It is a great game and two decent football teams and it will be really interesting to see who comes out on top on the night."