CHRIS Brunt admitted Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Bristol City was the classic case of a 'game of two halves'.
The Baggies eased to a 1-0 half-time lead but were undone by two quickfire Robins goals after the break.
And Brunt claims Roberto Di Matteo's men simply ran out of steam in their bid to find an equaliser after injuries and suspensions since the turn of the year caught up with them.
"There was a massive difference between the first half and the second half," said the Northern Ireland international.
"We started pretty well and we felt comfortable in the first half.
"I thought we played reasonably well and we deserved our goal.
"The second half was totally different but we can't quite put our finger on why that was.
"We were sloppy with our final ball in the second half and our execution just wasn't as good as it has been.
"Their first goal from a set-piece was a bit lucky because it took a couple of deflections and dropped straight to Chris Iwelumo's feet.
"Then we were all disappointed with the second goal we conceded.
"I think it's true to say we ran out of steam in that second half.
"We have played a lot of games recently.
"I know that's been the same for a lot of clubs but we have had a lot of injuries and suspensions and that has meant we have used the same players in most of the games.
"That's not an excuse for the way we played but it might be an explanation.
"There's nothing we can do about it but hopefully in the next couple of weeks we will start to get a few of our big players back.
"Until then we just have to get our heads down and get on with it, which, to be fair, we had done well until Bristol City."
One man Brunt is eager to see back on the pitch is Jerome Thomas, who will be available for Saturday's league clash with Derby (ko 3pm) after completing a five-match ban tomorrow.
"He gives us something different, something we don't naturally have when he is not there," he added.
"Having said that, the lads coped pretty well without him until the second half of the game on Sunday at Bristol City.
"But there is no doubt it's a bit harder for the team to play when he's not there.
"And we have missed him because he is a big character around the club as well.
"The lads have given him a bit of stick in the last couple of weeks about having a rest when we all could probably have done with one!
"But on a serious note, hopefully it will work for us and he can come back recharged and give us a little bit of a boost, because there's no doubt a few of the lads are tired after playing so many games recently."
