A late equaliser from on-loan Arsenal forward Carlos Vela in the 1-1 draw at Stoke highlighted the Baggies' fighting spirit but Rory Delap's headed opener exposed deficiencies which still exist at the back. West Brom have conceded 53 goals in 28 matches and Reid knows it is an area which has to be tightened up quickly if they are to hang onto top-flight status for another year. "It was a tough challenge but I thought we defended well, which his what we have been working on for the last two weeks," said the right-back. "Sometimes it comes down to heart and a desire to win the ball and we showed good character and spirit. "We have been disappointed with the run we have been on for the last few months but we have shown we are a lot more solid outfit and at the same time we have players who can find the back of the net with Carlos scoring two in two. "We are looking a lot more solid, resolute and we are defending set-plays better and if you can do that well against teams like Stoke it stands you in good stead for the rest of the season. "It was a decent point at Stoke and we've now got 10 cup finals left. "Birmingham (on Saturday) is another massive game because they are still down there as well (just a point ahead of West Brom in 16th) and they will be buzzing and full of confidence after their Carling Cup final win." Roy Hodgson has taken two points from his first two matches since succeeding Roberto di Matteo as Albion manager but admits he is still learning about his players. Last night he brought goalkeeper Scott Carson back into the team for the first time since January 4 and gave centre-back Abdoulaye Meite his first league start for almost a year and his first Premier League appearance since April 2009. There is little time left for experimentation so Hodgson is having to learn as he goes. "All of the decisions I make are difficult at the moment because I don't know the players that well," he said. "I've only been working with them for a couple of weeks and for me to be able to hold my hand up and convincingly say 'This one is better than the other one', I need to work with them a lot longer than two weeks. "Carson's performance was very solid. He is the more experienced of the two goalkeepers and that is one of the factors that prompted me to give him a chance. "There are four good, senior centre-backs at the club in Gabriel Tamas, Meite, Pablo Ibanez and Jonas Olsson. "All four of them seem to be very competent Premier League players and it is not easy for me at the moment to be 100% certain which is the best duo."
