Carlos Corberán accepted Albion found the first Sheffield United goal a difficult one to recover from as they slipped a 2-0 setback at Bramall Lane.
The encounter between the Blades and the Baggies was fairly even until Sander Berge’s opener early in the second period, a strike which helped swing momentum in the home side’s favour.
Defender Anel Ahmedhodzic doubled Sheffield United’s advantage with just 14 minutes remaining, converting from close range after meeting George Baldock’s volley.
And the boss says the Baggies must now recover quickly ahead of Saturday evening’s crucial clash with fellow Play-Off chasers Norwich City at The Hawthorns.
Carlos said: “For me, we played with personality, even if we didn’t achieve the result we wanted to.
“It was an even game and then we conceded the goal which unbalanced the game and emotionally it was difficult to change the result.
“The players put a lot of effort in and I have to give them credit because they were trying to be brave and they were trying to play.
“The way to change games likes these is to attack and to make passes, but it’s true that in the last third of the pitch we didn’t find the solutions to connect and create something else.
“We had a big chance early on but unfortunately we couldn’t score.
“They found a way to unbalance the game using our mistake and then they added a second from a set-piece situation.
“In general, I think the team was competing well enough until the first goal.
“In these types of games, it’s true that you have to take your opportunities if you want to win three points. Sheffield United are a team who don’t concede many chances or goals so you have to be good to create them.
“Sometimes our final pass wasn’t right or when we crossed it, it went behind the players instead of to them or in front of them.
“They were better than us in the attacking half and we couldn’t find a way to unbalance the game like they did.
“We have six points left to play for and we have to be determined to give our best and be focused on what we have to do.
“Nobody can be more motivated than the players to win football games. We know how much energy they are putting into performances with lots of games in short spaces of time with not too many players available.
“The level of effort and sacrifice which they are giving every single time they are on the pitch has been massive. In terms of commitment we cannot ask more of them.
“We have two big games left and we have to recover.”
