West Brom boss Tony Pulis rues missed chances against Southampton
Saturday 8 April 2017 18:54, UK
West Brom boss Tony Pulis admits his side wasted too many opportunities to deserve victory against Southampton.
The Baggies struggled to convert their chances at the Hawthorns and were punished when Jordy Clasie fired the Saints to a 1-0 victory away from home.
Pulis admits his players need more composure in the final third but was happy with the effort shown by his side, if not the final result.
"We've had good opportunities and good chances to score goals again," he said. "I think in the last two games we've had 38 efforts on goal but we're just not getting enough on target.
"That was certainly the case today. We were in good positions and we're not hitting the target. But you can't fault the effort of the players, especially in the second half.
"We really, really put them under pressure and we needed a break. We haven't had it that last two games."
Pulis introduced James McClean and Hal Robson-Kanu in the second half in an effort to find a way back into the game after Clasie's opener.
Both players made an impact on the game in the closing stages, although West Brom were denied an equaliser, largely thanks to a superb performance from Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Pulis was happy with his substitutes but admits the final result is hard to take, particularly coming off the back of a frustrating 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
"It livened it up a bit," said Pulis. "It gave us some more legs more than anything else on the pitch.
"It's a disappointment for the players because they've worked so hard this week to not get anything out of it and to just get a point at Old Trafford. It's a disappointing."
West Brom remain four points ahead of Southampton despite the defeat and Pulis insists his side are moving in the right direction.
"For a team outside the top seven, to get as many opportunities as we have done over the last two games, is good," he said.
"What we've got to do is take that little bit more time and have a little bit more quality in the final third."
