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Downing admits to going with wrong West Brom starting eleven

West Bromwich Albion caretaker boss Keith Downing admits he may have got his starting line-up wrong for the weekend's clash with Hull City.

The Baggies managed to force a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns to end a four-game losing streak but Downing feels he didn't have the correct eleven in place which forced him to bring on Saido Berahino, goalscorer Matej Vydra and veteran Zoltan Gera at half-time and in the second half.

"Maybe I didn't get the starting eleven right, because I had to change it at half-time," he said.

"During games you get them right and get them wrong. But what I've got is a good set of substitutes and a good squad behind me, so I can look around on a matchday and think 'he can make an impact' and 'he can have an effect on the team'.

"The three lads on Saturday did that and it's about having that strength in depth and someone who can change the game."

He added: "At half-time against Hull we just tried to settle down a little bit because it was such a disruptive week.

"There was an edginess and a tension and we've got to try to settle things down and play with freedom and expression."

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Andrew Slevison
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