Source: FOOTYMAD
Boss frustrated with United defeat
Roy feels Albion deserved more Roy Hodgson could not hide his disappointment after Albion’s opening day 2-1 defeat to Manchester United. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with a well worked effort in an opening spell which saw the Baggies put under sustained pressure by the Premier League champions. But Hodgson’s men withstood the opening onslaught and equalised through debutant Shane Long eight minutes before half time. After the break Albion looked the most likely to score next with Long and Somen Tchyoi impressing up front. However, with just nine minutes remaining, Ashley Young’s free kick was deflected off Gabriel Tamas on to the shin of Steven Reid and unfortunately into the Albion net. "I'm a bit frustrated," said the Baggies’ head coach. "I thought our second-half performance in particular was quite good. "Before their goal, we were looking quite good value for a point. "Speaking so close after the game, it's hard for me to swallow my disappointment. "It's frustrating to see a very good 1-1 turn into a 1-2 because I thought, after a blistering start for United, we did quite well. "They started like a house on fire with three or four corners and free-kicks, and balls whizzing across our box. "You are very concerned with the quality players they have that something is going to happen. "It did and Rooney scored the goal through the legs of Tamas with a fine strike. "It wasn't looking good at that stage but I think we pulled ourselves up by our boot straps. "We got ourselves back in the game and I thought in the second half the quality of our football was much better. "Had the game finished 1-1, I don't think we'd have had to make any apologies. "If we could dismiss that first 15 minutes when they dominated us, it was a pretty even game. "If I can ever summon up that degree of perspective, I can be quite happy we've done so well against the champions of England and the team who many people think will be the future champions of England. "But it is about points so, of course, today my sense of perspective is shattered by that." Do you think Albion deserved more? Have your say at Baggies Banter here.
