Carlos Corberan sets West Brom record straight

After leading the Championship in the first month of the season the Baggies’ progress has been checked by back-to-back defeats against Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.

In a television interview after the game the head coach said an unbeaten run of five wins in six created “expectations that are not real”.

Asked to expand, he added: “I think when you only play against six or seven teams you cannot make any kind of conclusion – I didn’t do it.

“But I think our team is always capable of competing in the games. Each game we have lost has been for one goal difference, so it means we were close. Probably in games we won, similarly, I think the competition is very equal and every game demands a lot from you.

“That is your accuracy, the consistency of your ideas which will help you compete better or help to win more games. I am ready to compete in this Championship in the level I know we have.”

Corberan handed a first start of the season to club captain Jed Wallace, 30, after the winger was previously left kicking his heels behind star academy graduate Tom Fellows.

Wallace saw a good chance to open the scoring before half-time go begging and was withdrawn shortly into the second period.

The head coach’s second-half changes were unable to inspire their side to break the deadlock against an impressive Boro outfit, for whom Hayden Hackney bagged the winner inside the final 20 minutes.

Corberan backed his squad and insisted he has full belief in whoever he selects. Albion started with an unchanged line-up in their first five unbeaten fixtures, but that run has since been ended by enforced alterations.

“We have a squad with 22 outfield players plus two keepers,” said the Spaniard. “In a week of three games if I don’t manage my squad it means I don’t believe in my squad.

“I believe in my squad. Depending on the game we put the players in we consider arrive to it better or they can play the game better.