Hodgson happy with fringe players

24 August 2011 10:30

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson believes the performances of his peripheral players against Bournemouth on Tuesday night bodes well for the season ahead.

Marc-Antoine Fortune's double, complemented by efforts by Jerome Thomas and Simon Cox, helped an all-changed Baggies side win 4-0 at Dean Court and secure progression to the Carling Cup third round.

The 11 players that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge were left out of the 18-man squad for Tuesday's match. And Hodgson said: "It was the first time I've ever survived the Carling Cup rounds so I am just pleased to be in the hat. You never know (whether a similar side could face Stoke on Sunday)."

He added: "At the moment I have not picked the team for Sunday yet.

"I've been happy with the two performances that we've had so far and a bit disappointed of course with the results.

"I think we've deserved better than what we've got but I am certainly happy with the players that played here."

Hodgson completely overhauled his squad and handed debuts to Marton Fulop, Gareth McAuley, Craig Dawson and Billy Jones, while youngster George Thorne celebrated signing a new deal earlier in the day with his first start for the club.

"It would be nice to [emulate the side that reached the quarter-finals last season] but I think it is still very important in this competition that you give players a chance," he added.

"We saw one or two players take the chance to really impress upon me that maybe I should be considering them for the first team. And partly that is what these games are about for us because otherwise you do not get that opportunity.

"You know they are good players are reserve-team level but I need to know they are good players at league level. Bournemouth certainly tested them out and they came up with answers to the questions."

Source: PA