Clarke shocked by Swans slow start

Last updated : 29 November 2012 By Wba-mad Editor

Steve Clarke admits his side left themselves too much to do after conceding three first half goals in last night’s defeat to Swansea City.

For the second season running Albion started slowly at the Liberty Stadium and were punished by goals from Michu and a Wayne Routledge brace inside the first half an hour.

Romelu Lukaku pulled a goal back for the Baggies on the stroke of half time, but Albion were unable to find a way back into a game after an unpredictable slow start.

“It was very unexpected,” said Clarke. 

“We started so slowly it was incredible. You wouldn’t have believed we could start so slowly. 

“We knew coming down here that Swansea were a fantastic team and I think they are a really good footballing team. 

“We knew they would cause us problems but we didn’t expect them to cause us so many problems so early in the game. 

“We didn’t give ourselves a platform and when you’re chasing it is always difficult in this league. 

 “We’ve had a really good season, we’ve played really well and we’ve had four wins in a row. 

“The team was good and we went into the game confident, we went with more or less the same players and the same system but it’s football and it happens. 

“Swansea got the quick start and got in front of us and we left ourselves too much to do.”

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