Mowbray pins his hopes on January

WEST BROM may have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League this season, but even Tony Mowbray is beginning to realise that principles are not worth more than points.

The Albion manager admits he is ready to take risks when the transfer window re-opens in a bid to keep his side in the top flight after this thoroughly unjust defeat, which saw his side squander untold chances.

Ishmael Miller gave them the lead but goals from Henri Camara and Emmerson Boyce – with two minutes remaining – turned the match on its head. The priority for Mowbray is a striker to take the weight off Miller as West Brom have managed only 11 goals in 15 league games.

“We have probably got to take a few gambles on players who are out of favour at their clubs,” Mowbray said.

“Maybe we get a young player at one of the major sides in Europe, who can help us finish off the chances we are creating.”

Chris Kirkland made a number of superb saves to keep West Brom at bay and bottom of the table but Mowbray added: “The secret is to have clinical finishers who don’t give the goalkeeper – even a top goalkeeper like him – a chance.”

Mowbray complimented his side on their style and believes they have it in them to get out of trouble.

“It is uncomfortable looking at the table but I enjoy watching my team play, week-in, week-out,” he said.

“We have got to keep our standards as high as we can on the training ground and keep believing and trying to improve.”

West Brom took the lead in the 47th minute after a mistake by Titus Bramble. The central defender tried to chest the ball down and clear but released Miller instead.

He wasted no time in accepting the gift, skipping into the area and rifling a shot beyond Kirkland.

James Morrison should have extended their lead but Wigan grabbed the equaliser with Camara – who spent last season on loan to West Ham – scoring for the second successive match.

Paul Robinson was left red-faced like Bramble beforehand as he failed to pick up Camara’s run when Heskey played the ball forward and the striker finished in style.

Boyce, back from suspension, secured the points, thundering a header beyond Scott Carson following a corner from substitute Jason Koumas.

It meant that for the first time since he took charge a year ago Steve Bruce was able to savour back-to-back wins.

Not only that, Wigan are on the up after taking 11 points out of a possible 15 during November.

Bruce said: “We had a tough October when things went against us and we struggled.

“It is good to turn it around. We were not at our best against West Brom but we stuck at it and got a result.

“The big turning point was when (James) Morrison went through and Kirkland made the save. Then we went up the park and scored. West Brom will feel mugged and rightly so.

“But we take it and move on. It was vitally important to get the win especially against a team at the bottom.”

WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland 9, Taylor 6 (Melchiot 70, 6), Bramble 6, Boyce 7, Figueroa 6 (Kilbane 81, 5), Valencia 5, Brown 5 (Koumas 60, 6), Cattermole 6, Palacios 5, Heskey 6, Camara 6.

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Kingson, De Ridder, Cywka.

WEST BROM (4-4-2): Carson 6, Zuiverloon 6, Meite 6, Olsson 6, Robinson 5, Morrison 6 (Moore 89, 5), Koren 7, Greening 6, Valero, Brunt 6 (Bednar 89, 5), Miller 7.

Subs Not Used: Kiely, Cech, Barnett, Kim, Filipe Teixeira.

REFEREE: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire) 7: Hardly noticed, which is usually a good sign with referees.

MATCH RATING: *** West Brom’s pretty football continues to garner precious few points, although they will not always come up against goalkeepers as inspired as Kirkland.