Steve Clarke had no complaints after Albion’s opening day 1-0 defeat to Southampton at The Hawthorns.
Rickie Lambert’s last minute penalty secured all three points for the visitors after a disjoined Albion performance.
Clarke selected new boy Nicolas Anelka up front with Shane Long as Albion started in a 4-4-2 formation. But after a disappointed start to the game, Clarke reverted back to the 4-5-1 system which brought so much success last season after the break.
The Baggies improved in the second half and James Morrison had a goal-bound effort blocked at point-blank range. However, as the game looked to be heading towards a draw, Youssouf Mulumbu felled Luke Shaw in the area and Rickie Lambert converted the spot kick.
“We were disappointed with our first half,” said Clarke.
“Southampton certainly started much better.
“They were on the front foot from the off and they penned us back.
“But what we did well in the first half was we hung in there, we stayed in the game, we defended resolutely.
“Towards the end of the first half we tinkered with the shape a little bit and it gave us a better feel for the game.
“At half-time we readjusted a couple of things and in the second half I thought we were much better.
“To sum it up, I thought Southampton were better than us in the first half and we had the best of the game in the second half.
“As it petered out into what looked like being a 0-0, if any team looked like nicking it, it would have been us.”
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