And Clarke holds hands up for Swans' second goal in defeat
STEVE Clarke has revealed injury forced him to take James Morrison off at half-time of today’s 2-0 defeat by Swansea.The key midfielder picked up a groin problem and was replaced at the break by Graham Dorrans.
The former Middlesbrough ace is now a doubt for Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers against Belgium on Friday and Macedonia four days later.
“He felt a pain in his groin just before half-time,” said the Baggies boss.
“The medical people will assess it but I would imagine he’s doubtful for the Scotland trip.”
Saido Berahino was handed his Barclays Premier League debut on 75 as he came on with Markus Rosenberg as part of a double substitution for Scott Sinclair and Claudio Yacob.
And Clarke admitted the Swans’ second goal in the 83rd minute was a consequence of his gamble to throw on more attacking players in search of an equaliser - a risk he felt compelled to take.
“The second goal is down to me,” he added.
“It is a consequence of the changes I made to try and chase the game.
“I think the game could have petered out to a 1-0.
“We had a lot of momentum and were going forward a lot.
“We only looked threatening really on set-plays.
“I had a look at the bench and decided to put on two more attacking players to try and open the game up.
“When you do that against Swansea, who are a good counter-attacking team, you can always get caught – and the second goal killed us.
“I think, as a coach, if I don’t make those changes and the game peters out it’s a mistake.”