The Baggies have conceded 24 goals in their last 10 Barclays Premier League match to plunge towards the bottom three.

Hodgson's predecessor Roberto Di Matteo had highlighted the need to cut out conceding soft goals before he was sacked nine days ago.

Hodgson saw at first hand Albion's defensive frailties when they surrendered a three-goal lead against West Ham at the weekend.

The former Liverpool boss said: "I think if we are going to stay in the league we need to be good offensively and defensively.

"But, there is no doubt, if you are a team that concedes goals, whether at the top or bottom, you are going to find it very difficult to get the points.

"Sooner or later you can't be reliant on scoring three goals every game to get points.

"That is not what happens in the Premier League."

On the evidence of one match and one training session, Hodgson insists it is too soon to predict whether or not West Brom will survive.

He said: "It is too early to answer that question. I believe they are good enough. I have total faith that they are.

"But it would be a very bold statement to say that on the basis of one game and one training session.

"It would be a foolish statement to come out and say 'no problems, we are staying up' and the fans wouldn't expect that of me.

"They realise how difficult the task is. They've been watching the team all season."