Alan Pardew has paid tribute to his West Bromwich Albion players following their performance in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Wesley Hoedt and Dusan Tadic had put the Saints two goals up in Saturday's clash at The Hawthorns but Salomon Rondon's powerful volley on 58 minutes gave the hosts hope of a comeback.
Ahmed Hegazi then saw an effort cleared off the line and Southampton went on to see the game out to knock West Brom out of the competition.
Earlier this week, the West Midlanders had to deal with a disciplinary issue in which four players broke curfew and were involved in an incident on a warm-weather training camp in Barcelona.
"I didn't think we were great in the first half after a week of not what you would have really wished for, but we pushed Southampton in the second half," Pardew told BBC Sport after the game.
"Then we get a great goal and there was a grandstand finish. But it defines our season, we know what to do now.
"It's been difficult but in terms of experience on the pitch and attitude and reaction, I was pleased. It was a difficult day for the players, we gave a good account of ourselves and we are slightly unfortunate."
West Brom return to action next Saturday with a Premier League relegation six-pointer against Huddersfield Town at The Hawthorns.
Giuseppe Labellarte
