Rufus: It Won't Be Pretty

Rufus Brevett says it is time to sacrifice style for substance as the final run-in approaches.

Rufus, who made his first start for the club at Elland Road last week, can count on an extended spell in the team as Nigel Winterburn recovers from a wrist operation, but he admits of his full debut: "It was disappointing at Leeds. I felt we were unlucky, we hit the post and their keeper made a fine save from Joe Cole straight after, and maybe a point would have been fair - but you don't always get what you deserve in football."

The sending off of Fredi Kanoute didn't help, of course, and Rufus adds: "It is always difficult; it was one of those spur of the moment things and he has got to learn from it."

He is not expecting a pretty encounter against West Brom at the Hawthorns, and adds: "We have got a massive game on Sunday but everyone has got to look forward to it.

"They are a big, strong, physical side and I think on the day it will be about who wants it more.

"At this stage of the season it is about getting points on the table - and it doesn't matter how you get them.

"It is no good passing the ball about and looking all pretty if you lose 1-0 because it doesn't really count for anything.

"At this stage of the season we have just got to start keeping clean sheets, because with the players we have got we are always going to score goals.

"It is important we do keep it tight at the back.

"It was a bit of a soft goal that we gave away at Leeds, to be fair, and I think you can only say you have defended well if you keep a clean sheet.

"It has been good this week; we have been working a lot on the back four and hopefully we can take that into the game on Sunday."