Kyle Edwards says Albion should be proud of their second-half display against Newcastle United but admits the 3-2 defeat is a case of “what might have been.”
The Baggies almost completed a memorable comeback at The Hawthorns but late goals from Matt Phillips and Kenneth Zohore were not enough to prevent their Emirates FA Cup fifth-round exit.
And Edwards, who played a prominent role in Albion’s spirited attempt to take the game to extra-time, insists the never-say-die attitude of his team-mates proves they can compete with top-flight opposition.
“I think first half we were a bit tentative, we showed them a bit too much respect," he said. "It cost us, they got their two goals quickly.
“In the second half we showed our quality and we showed that we can compete with them. We were unlucky not to get more from the game. We had quite a few chances so it’s disappointing really.
“In the dressing everyone is still quite proud of the performance. Everyone feels that we did well but it’s more of a ‘what might have been’.
On his own display Kyle added: “It was a chance for me to go out and show what I can do, I’ve been out of the squad lately because the team is so good, so it was a chance for me to do that and I think I did all right.
“Everyone said well done, and said ‘just show what you can do week-in, week-out and you’ll get your opportunity.”
