Irvine: First-team players too tired for selection

Last updated : 29 October 2014 By Wba-mad Editor

Alan Irvine revealed he was forced into making wholescale changes to his side for Albion’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth after first-team regulars were too tired to play.

The Baggies boss claimed that certain players had indicated they were unable to play against Bournemouth following Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace due to fatigue.

As a result, Irvine made 10 changes to the side that faced Palace with only Craig Dawson retaining his place.

His decision backfired as a below-par Albion were on the back-foot for the majority of the game against the Cherries. Euane O’Kane gave the hosts the lead before a late equaliser from an own goal looked to have given Albion an unlikely lifeline.

But almost instantly from the restart, Callum Wilson fired under Boaz Myhill to send Bournemouth into their first cup quarter final.

After the defeat, Irvine claimed he had didn’t regret making the changes, but admitted his disappointment at a number of performances from Albion’s players.

“Some of the lads have indicated to me that they were feeling the effects...having gone Monday to Saturday, to then go Tuesday to Saturday was a risk when you've got very professional Premier League players telling you that they are feeling the effects,” he said.

"It would be foolish not to take notice.

"I have to look after the players who have played a lot. And I also have go to give players who were desperate to play a platform to impress. 

"Some of the players did, but not enough of them.

"I don't regret the 10 changes."

Irvine added: "I was disappointed by the performances of some players.

"We did enough to get back into the game but we needed to do more to win the game. 

"I'm absolutely devastated for the fans who travelled in great numbers. They deserved better than that.

"It was really poor on our part.”

Did Irvine really need to make ten changes? Can professional footballers no longer play twice inside three days? Have your say at Baggies Banter