Defender gives his thoughts on performance against Southampton
BILLY Jones thought he had rescued a point against Southampton - after admitting Albion slipped below the standards they set at home last term in Saturday’s 1-0 last-gasp defeat.The Baggies only lost six of their 19 Barclays Premier League games at The Hawthorns last season.
And Jones came close to salvaging a draw against the Saints at the weekend, only to see Artur Boruc pull off a wonder save from the his stoppage-time header.
“We were massively strong at home last year and we saw how far that took us,” he said.
“We’re desperate to emulate that again and we know the first half on Saturday was not up to our standards.
“The second half was an improvement and I feel even though we weren’t up to the standards we’ve set, we were worth a draw.
“A 0-0 is not the worst way to start the season but the referee gave a penalty and it cost us.”
The right-back added: “I thought I’d scored.
“I saw it all the way and I knew if I made a good connection and sent it back from where it came from, keepers normally shuffle across their line and find it hard to go off their foot to the opposite corner.
“From the moment I headed it I thought it was in, as did most of the ground.
“But the keeper made a great save and that’s when you know it’s not going to be your day.
“I’m just gutted we lost and that chance didn’t go in to get the draw I felt we deserved.”
The former Preston defender also gave his verdict on the challenge by Youssouf Mulumbu on Luke Shaw that gave the visitors the chance to win the game from the spot in the 90th minute.
“He’s thrown a leg to let the player know he’s there more than anything,” said Jones.
“The player used it to his advantage, rode it and made it look like it was a mistimed tackle.
“I think Youssouf was just trying to put him under pressure without ever really trying to win the ball.
“The ref has obviously seen enough to give a penalty and it was a shame to finish with that decision leading to a defeat.”