We need to wise up quickly - Wallace

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jed Wallace said the players must "wise up" and take accountability for the team's struggles this season.

The Baggies were beaten 3-2 by Middlesbrough in Eric Ramsay's first game in charge on Friday, a defeat which leaves them 19th in the Championship and just four points above the relegation places.

Wallace came on in the 64th minute and teed up a goal before scoring himself as Albion fought back from 2-0 down to level, only to concede a 90th-minute winner.

"It's the fine margins in football but it's also an understanding sometimes that it's OK to be ugly and taking that point," he told BBC Radio WM.

"How we've lost some of the games that we've lost this season is incredible and we need to wise up quickly on that.

"The fans don't want to hear it from me in terms of we need to do better but it's obvious.

"They're empty words. I can't say anything different other than we [players] need to take accountability of those errors, from the goalie right through to the striker."

The 31-year-old spent more than three months on the sidelines after being injured at his former club Millwall in early October - the first in a run of 10 straight away defeats.

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He has made an immediate impact since returning, scoring in the FA Cup win at Swansea before his two goal involvements against Boro, and insists he is doing all he can to stay fit after a "tough" 15 months.

"Accountability is the first thing you need to do when things aren't going well and that starts with me - I've been injured far too much," he said.

"That's been a real challenge for me, mentally, because I'm someone I feel that can help the group, and I'm desperate to help.

"It's frustrating but the easiest thing to do as a player when it isn't going well is to go in your shell and hide and blame someone else, and we won't allow that to happen."

Wallace said Ramsay has already made a "big impact" and "would not accept" a lack of commitment, no matter the pedigree of the player.

"Some of the lads have shown they're capable of playing at the level above and also can be top players at this level," Wallace added.

"For some reason we've not shown that consistency as individuals and as a collective and that needs to improve massively.

"You can't blame anyone else for that. You need to look in the mirror, the same way that I do."

Albion face a busy week in the league as a home match with Norwich on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) is followed by a trip to Derby on Friday (20:00).

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