West Brom boss ready to focus on positives and makes "impossible" point about squad mood in defeat

Albion celebrations for the 125th anniversary of their Hawthorns home were tarnished as bogey side Derby County escaped with a 1-0 smash-and-grab win via ex-Baggie Andi Weimann's late strike.

Mason's hosts were on top for large parts and dominated statistics including shots at goal - 18 in all but just four on target - possession and expected goals. But the Baggies were sucker-punched late on as the Rams inflicted a first Championship reverse on the new head coach to beat Albion for a sixth time on the spin.

"The emotion of losing the game of football is not going to overshadow my understanding of how the game went," said Mason, who was largely satisfied with what he saw.

"We played a good game, deserved to win, didn't win.

"Normally that game, in the worst case, is a draw. But listen, it happens. It's very unfortunate because I thought the players put a lot of effort in, played a good game, and it happens."

Mason felt his side regularly got in good positions to trouble Derby but John Eustace's visitors held firm with goalkeeper Jacob Zetterstrom not overly tested. Albion had Alex Mowatt inadvertently clear from Derby's goalline and Jayson Molumby struck the bar late on.

"No, I would never tell the players after losing a game of football to be upbeat - impossible," Mason insisted.

"It's an emotional game. I want my players to feel the pain and they certainly do. So it's important they feel that and everyone has different ways of sort of managing that.

"It's my job to try to take the emotion out of it as quick as possible, which is difficult. But I don't think it's that challenging off the back of seeing what I see today."

The outcome spoiled a day of celebration at The Hawthorns, with a brass band marking the 125th anniversary, as well as the temporary return of the Woodman Corner scoreboard and Tony Brown delivering the match ball.

"We don't want to lose any match, regardless of the situation," Mason said. "This football club is special - 125 years in this stadium. It's special.

"It's frustrating. But I certainly felt the players played a good game and hopefully the fans can feel that as well. We have another massive game next week that we need to work on and try and win."