Alan Pardew: Injuries and fatigue took their toll on West Brom

The Baggies lost 3-2 to their relegation rivals today, leaving them four points adrift and in deep trouble at the bottom of the table.

But Pardew was without Jonny Evans, Kieran Gibbs, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Jake Livermore, and Hal Robson-Kanu, who have all picked up injuries recently. He already has James Morrison and Nacer Chadli sidelined.

“The squad was a little bit light today in terms of freshening things up, and I think that showed," said Pardew.

“They looked a bit fresher than us, a couple of changes they made in midfield.

“We had a couple of guys who played at Man City and had to back it up today. Normally I’d have probably have rested them.

“I think we run more at Man City than we had done all season. The effort of the boys was tremendous in that particular game, but it showed today.

“We didn’t have the energy I would’ve liked. Fortunately now, we sort of go week to week, and hopefully we can get a few bodies back. We missed some players today, for sure."

Albion took the lead in the fourth minute through an Ahmed Hegazi header, but Southampton started to grow into the game in the first half as the Baggies fell flat.

The visitors made their pressure count just before half-time with two goals in three minutes, and then added a third shortly after the break.

Pardew decided to hand Liverpool loanee Daniel Sturridge his first start in an Albion shirt and dropped in-form Jay Rodriguez, who had five goals in his previous seven starts, to the bench.

“Jay I rested because he’d done 90 minutes at Liverpool and a real stint at Man City," said Pardew. “Maybe if I’d have had everybody available Daniel wouldn’t have started today.

“I just felt that Jay, coming on 20, 25 minutes at the end fresh might be better than doing it the other way where he’s had to grind out another 60, 70 minutes out.

“Daniel was obviously going to get some game time today and we need to get him up to speed.

“We started it the other way round and unfortunately the game was gone by the time Jay got on.

“They had a bit more energy, particularly (Mario) Lemina - I thought he was a handful for us. It was difficult for us to cope with him today.

“We got off to a great start, we could have got a second goal from a set-play, which was a bit unfortunate, and then that twenty minutes before half time was the period we lost the game.

“We just looked a little bit off the pace then, and they got the two goals at a good time for them. Two quick goals - that hurt us as well."

Albion dedicated the game to legendary striker Cyrille Regis, and there were tributes on the pitch beforehand. But just like Jeff Astle Day in April 2015, the Baggies lost 3-2.

However, Pardew refused to blame the result on the occasion.

“I don’t think we’re going to lean on that at all," he said. “I’ve seen the family beforehand, it was a tremendous honour. I thought the screens were fantastic just before kick off

“It was only in the warm up that the lads said it was a little bit quiet, that didn’t really affect us I don’t think.

“I think the early goal affected us more than anything. It sort of made us defend it a little bit, at times.”

Pardew revealed that Krychowiak should be available for the next game against Chelsea, but didn't give an update on Gibbs, Livermore or Evans.