Source: FOOTYMAD
Hodgson happy with improved Baggies
Boss upbeat despite Carling Cup exit Albion boss Roy Hodgson was pleased with the performance of his much-changed side despite an extra time defeat at the hands of Everton in the Carling Cup third round. A foul on Peter Odemwingie in the area saw Chris Brunt give the visitors the lead just before the hour mark from the spot. But, just as Albion looked to have booked a place in the next round, Marouane Fellaini’s volley in the 89th minute sent the game into extra time. Phil Neville then gave the hosts the lead for the first time on the evening with a curling effort which beat Marton Fulop from the edge of the area. The goal was enough to send the Baggies out of the League Cup. However, after the demoralising defeat against Swansea last weekend, Albion head coach Roy Hodgson focused on the positives of the performance instead of the result. "I was very happy with the performance," said Hodgson. "I thought we played very well. "We used this game as something of an experiment as to how we can best use our players. "Even that gave me a lot of positives to take away and think about for the rest of the matches this season. "But the game lasted 120 minutes and you have to make sure you take your chances and don't allow them theirs. "It was a game that was always going to be tough but we came very, very close to holding out, and a way of holding out that we could be satisfied with because we weren't under enormous pressure. "We were quite dangerous ourselves and could have got more than the one goal we scored. "It was a good cup tie and the most positive thing for me was the amount of young players that have not really featured in the first team this season that came in and did well." Are you pleased Hodgson reverted to a five-man midfield? Have your say here at Baggies Banter.
