Di Matteo hopes for stirring response
Albion head coach Roberto Di Matteo is hoping his players produce a stirring response to their first defeat of the season.
The Baggies head for a midweek assignment at Barnsley after having their opening to the Championship campaign smudged by Crystal Palace's single goal victory clinched by Alassane N'Diaye's 63rd-minute effort.
A week after their 5-0 drubbing of Middlesbrough, it was a reminder of the ups and downs of a Championship campaign and now the club's head coach is focused on a suitable response.
Di Matteo said: "I hope it was just a bad day at the office, but we've got to work on the mistakes we made and try not to make them in the future.
"We have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday and we need to perform. We know if we do that then, over the long term, we will be OK."
But the Italian acknowledged that his team dipped below the standards it has set itself during the eight-game unbeaten start which preceded this defeat.
He said: "I'm disappointed about our performance. We conceded a very soft goal.
"The way we conceded it was poor. It was a straight ball into the box and we need to be better than that defensively. There were some claims that it was a handball. I can't comment as I didn't see it.
"But it wasn't a convincing performance, anyway, and consequently it brought our first defeat.
"It wasn't the West Bromwich Albion we've seen so far and that's the most disappointing aspect of it.
"We had a Tuesday game at Arsenal that used up a bit of energy. We also had a few players missing that give us the edge sometimes, not to mention creativity.
"But we're not looking for excuses. We should have done better. We still had a few chances and in tight games like that you need to put one of your chances in to make the game yours.
"We need to learn on both sides – putting the game to bed and not giving such easy goals away. We're working on the defending and we'll keep working on it and I'm sure we'll improve."
Di Matteo's disappointment spelt joy for Neil Warnock, the Palace boss Albion fans love to hate following his infamous role in the Battle of Bramall Lane during the club's first successful promotion to the Premier League.
Warnock rated the victory as a career high moment especially coming a fortnight after a home hammering by Scunthorpe.
He said: "This is what we're in the game for as managers. Two weeks ago was the lowest part of my career this is probably the highest.
"I thought we were super. We woke up in Birmingham on Saturday to read it would be their ninth unbeaten game and they'd got all their shirts printed for the record and things like that help.
"I always get a great welcome from the fans. They respect me and I think they're a great club and I really hope they go up because this club, on and off the field, is tremendous. This result will help them and I think Roberto knows it may be a kick up the backside for them.
"They had no Brunt, Thomas, no Cech – I wish I had a cheque – but we had a couple missing too. Overall I don't think they'll have any complaints. I hope it kick starts another run for them – I told Scott Carson 'don't worry we'll beat the big teams for you' and that's what we'll try to do."
