Head coach has no regrets over personnel changes
ALAN Irvine admitted he was 'devastated' for the 2176 Albion fans who watched his side exit the Capital One Cup at Bournemouth.
The Baggies head coach made 10 changes to his side - as did Cherries counterpart Eddie Howe - but felt some players did not do enough to impress in the 2-1 defeat.
Irvine believes the game on the south coast was an ideal platform for some players to stake a place for Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Leicester.
But not enough performed to the level expected of them.
"I was disappointed by the performances of some players," said Irvine.
"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."
Asked whether he would understand the fans' frustrations about the selection, Irvine admitted that some of his Premier League regulars had told him they feeling the strain.
He added: "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.
"It would be foolish not to take notice."
He continued: "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."