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Alan Pardew admits he got West Brom team selection wrong

Alan Pardew has admitted he got his team selection wrong for Albion’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United – but he thinks his side should have had a penalty.

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Alan Pardew. (AMA)

The Baggies boss made just one change from the side that battled to a goalless draw at Anfield in mid-week and Pardew admitted he should have put more fresh legs on the pitch.

The lacklustre hosts went into half-time 2-0 down after being punished from goals from Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard.

But they fought back in the second half thanks to some impressive performances off the bench from goalscorer Gareth Barry, Chris Brunt, and Jay Rodriguez.

“I think I picked the wrong team,” admitted Pardew. “The team that lacked energy and that’s my fault, I take full responsibility, I should have put some fresh legs in there.

“The boys gave me so much at Liverpool. Obviously I’m getting to know them but I didn’t think we had that energy in the first half that we need against Man United.

“It was too comfortable for them, we couldn’t get any pressure on them.

“It was quiet (at The Hawthorns) because we’re giving them nothing to get excited about.

“There were a couple of moments from Oli (Burke) but that was about it in the first half.

“Second half, we had some experience in Gareth Barry, I thought he made a big difference when he came on.

“There was conviction in his pass to try and get us going. Suddenly we start creating a little bit more pressure on them.

"And then Brunty come on and suddenly we looked threatening.”

James McClean was shoved to the floor in the box by Ashley Young during the second half when the scores were 2-0, and for some reason, referee Anthony Taylor gave United a free-kick.

But Pardew said it should have been a spot-kick.

“Young is anticipating the goalie and then he thinks ‘I’m not sure he’s going to get there’,” said Pardew.

“And then he takes him (McClean) out. It’s a penalty, whichever way you look at it.

“But I can’t criticise the referee, he didn’t see it so he didn’t give it, I’m not sure what angle he was at. I’m not a TV pundit anymore.”