Ben Foster demands West Brom improve efficiency in front of goal

The England goalkeeper is wary of the number of missed chances

Marouane Chamakh of Palace is fouled by Ben Foster of West Brom (GETTY IMAGES)

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster believes his side’s sloppiness in front of goal cost them in their 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Baggies saw efforts from Victor Anichebe, James Morrison and Scott Sinclair saved by Julian Speroni, all whilst trailing by just one goal.

The defeat leaves West Brom 18th in the Premier League, with just 13 games remaining this season.

Foster believes Albion should have taken their chances, but was also quick to credit the form of his opposite number: “It’s fine lines, if we’d have put the ball in the back of the net it would be a completely different game,” he said.

“At 2-2 you never know what can happen but fair play to Julian (Speroni), he’s made some cracking saves.

“I remember six weeks or so ago in the FA Cup he made some great saves and kept his team in it. But like I said it’s fine lines and if we’d have taken those chances it would have been a completely different game.”

The England international, who is widely expected to be part of Roy Hodgson’s World Cup plans in Brazil this summer, also admitted his shock at Chris Foy’s decision to award Marouane Chamakh a penalty in the second-half: “From my point of view I don’t think I fouled the player,” Foster added.

“It makes no odds now what my opinion is but I thought I got the ball and it didn’t deserve to be a penalty.

“I was in complete shock when he gave it, but we’ve just got to suck it up and get on with it.”