Town striker George Hirst says there are lessons to be learned following the Blues’ 2-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, and admitted the better side won on a difficult evening at the Hawthorns.

Darnell Furlong and Grady Diangana scored early in each half to condemn Town to only their second league defeat of the season, and first away from home for 17 matches.

Furlong’s opener came after just five minutes, marking the sixth successive game in which the Blues have conceded the first goal, all of which have come inside the opening 15 minutes.

But Hirst believes it is the principles of how the goals are going in that are more important, rather than the timing of them.

“It’s one of those things, I don’t think we had a bad start,” he said. “A lot of people will see it as ‘we’ve conceded early again’, but for us it’s not about the actual start itself and more about conceding from the set piece.

“It’s something we’re big on and we pride ourselves on being strong from those sorts of situations. Today they score and it’s an uphill mountain again. It’s not ideal but I think they were probably the better side.

“It’s a tough league, we understand we’re going to lose games and it’s not a matter of life or death. Right now, it’s one of those things where we’ve been beaten today by probably the better side and we move onto Wednesday and try and put things right.”

Despite not being of huge concern, Hirst agreed that conceding early is something that the squad know needs improving, and highlighted the Baggies as a side where the Blues can learn from.

He said: “I think that’s a fair reflection. It’s something that we are working on and we are speaking about, we’re not oblivious to that. It’s something that we know we will get a grip on and something that we will be better at.

“For us, it’s a lesson learned, especially in this division where you can’t be giving yourself those sorts of things to come back from too often, and today we couldn’t do it.

“They’re one of those teams when you come into it you know they’re an experienced side and they’ve got good players all over the pitch. It was going to be a tough game and so we don’t need to be making these games any harder for ourselves.

“We had spells where we had them on the back foot and played some good football. Tactically we caused them problems at times it’s we just couldn’t really capitalise on it, which was a shame.
“Like I say it’s a lesson learned and we’ll improve on it going forward.”

Defeat meant the Blues’ unbeaten league run came to an end after 12 games, while it was the first time Town had failed to score since February, a run of 35 straight matches in finding the net.

“It’s not something that happens every week,” Hirst said of the lack of forward force. “It was a bit of a surprise for us and we want to be better than that. It’s up to us as a whole team to go and create chances.

“It’s up to us as a forward unit to go and cause them problems and put their keeper under threat and today we didn’t do that. We’ll get back to the training ground on Monday morning and have a look at ourselves, first and foremost, and then go from there.”

Town remain in second place in the Championship table and are seven points clear of Leeds United in third, still an excellent position to be in after 17 games of the season.

“We’re not taking our position for granted,” Hirst said. “It’s a lot of hard work that’s got us here and it’s going to be even harder work that keeps us there. For us it’s about keeping this going and keeping the energy between the lads.

“We’ve lost today but it’s not going to define our season, we’re going to get ready on Monday morning and all focus is towards Millwall.”

He added: “You’ve got games every two or three days, especially the month of December. The good thing is we’ve got a chance to go and put it right.

“I know the lads are disappointed inside, but come Monday morning that will be forgotten and all focus will be on Millwall. It’s a chance to put things right and hopefully we go and do that.

“There’s 46 games and we’re going to need every single player in the squad whether you’re starting every week or starting a little bit less than you would like. All the boys are focused, all the boys are ready to take this opportunity when it comes and that’s how it should be.”

With nine more matches to come before New Year’s Day, including against Norwich City, Leeds and Leicester City, Hirst says the upcoming run is a period the team are relishing.

The 24-year-old said: “They’re the games you want to be playing in and the teams you want to be playing against. The fact that they’re all going to mean something is even bigger. For us it’s one game at a time, we’ve got big teams to play and there’s going to be a lot of tough games this month.

“As long as the fans are behind us like they are every single week, you can’t fault them travelling in numbers again tonight. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the result for them today, but they’re going to be there every game we play. Hopefully we can keep doing them proud.”

The former Leicester City man also spoke on fellow striker Dane Scarlett, the Tottenham Hotspur loanee having found game time difficult to come by in his spell at Portman Road so far.

Hirst said: “He’s getting on really well, he’s fitted into the group really well. He shows his quality in training with his finishing and stuff like that.

“With the run we’ve been on at the minute it’s a hard team to get into, which is natural so it’s been tough for not only him but the other boys who haven’t been starting. But he’s doing well, fitted in and all the boys can see the talent that he’s got. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he starts knocking [on the door].”

Photo: Matchday Images

Karlosfandangal added 10:08 - Nov 26 It’s these early goals that are killing Town. Town started to grow in to the game in the in the first half at 0-0 at half time WBA would have been nervous start of the second half. two winnable games coming up Millwall and tough game with Coventry but we have enough to win those…. Leeds and Leicester I can see Town losing those. Jan transfer window will be very interesting as Town will be looking at players who can perform in the Prem If anyone had said 2 defeats in the first 17 games at the start of the season I would have said yes please. Well done Town

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del45 added 10:36 - Nov 26 Stop being off side time and time again also giving away far to many free kicks which gives the ball away.
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BobbyBell added 12:35 - Nov 26 We should have beaten that high line with better timing of runs. When Burns did get onto the long balls he should have run towards the box but he stopped turned and played the ball back. Patient football was never going to work against that defense, speed and quick passing was needed. Also Wolfy needs to come forward with the ball more not just stroll slowly around waiting for a pass to appear. If a center back runs forward with the ball it causes confusion and pulls players out of position. We needed to pull players out of their tight lines but we were too slow and predictable. More teams are going to know how to stop us playing after watching that game so we need a plan B.

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Linkboy13 added 13:18 - Nov 26 I didn't actually see the game but decided to listen to it on Talk Sport 2 to get an impartial view. Scott Minto the ex Chelsea players views were very interesting and he stated what most of us who have been in the game already know the centre of our defence isn't very convincing. Both Wolfenden and Burgess ok but neither of them are outstanding at championship level. There's going to be games where we are not going to score 2,3 or 4 goals and at the moment we are not capable of shutting out teams.

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Nomore4 added 13:42 - Nov 26 You haven’t had to been in the game……to see the obvious.
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:44 - Nov 26 the defensive weakness has been evident for a while , we were never going outscore the opposition all the time having conceeded an early goal, yesterday was such a day, we never had a striker that was on song. All i'll say is that McKenna will be absolutely on it, he will know what needs to be sorted out and January will see some changes, I get fed up seeing posts from the fantasy managers on here who think they know better than McKenna, THEY DONT AND NEVER WILL .

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gosblue added 17:29 - Nov 26 I was at the game and it was a hard watch. West Brom are not a good team and 0-0 would have been about right. On the other hand we didn’t deserve to get anything from the game. Woolfie was just hanging onto the ball far too long like McGuire for England. There was no movement from players in attacking areas. MOM Williams was in acres of space on the right but he only received the ball once he was marked. Baggies keeper was warming up throughout the second half because he hadn’t had a touch. He could’ve been checking his Facebook account he was that unemployed. That was the worst Town performance for a long time. Let’s put it behind us and go again on Wednesday. COYB

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Dissboyitfc added 19:02 - Nov 26 Defeat meant the Blues’ unbeaten league run came to an end after 12 games, while it was the first time Town had failed to score since February, a run of 35 straight matches in finding the net. Reading this put things into perspective, it wasn't many seasons ago when every match carried the headline, " Town looking to end losing streak" or" town looking to get back to winning ways" or " Town looking to extend winning run to 2 games" of which the later seldomed happened of course. Everyone knows things need to improve, how lovely is it to say that when we are 2nd from top with a reasonable gap between us and 3rd! I was very disappointed and quiet after yesterdays match, back on track today with the realisation of just how far we have come in such a short period! I would encourage people to enjoy the ride, won't last forever!

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Paddy39 added 21:18 - Nov 26 Defence, enough said.
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Gforce added 00:00 - Nov 27 Axel back in on Wednesday then.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 07:14 - Nov 27 It's a bit basic to say change the centre halves when we are conceding goals. One was a header from a corner and the other was a transition from our corner with both centre halves up for it!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:16 - Nov 27 BobbyBell: I think that's a pretty accurate analysis. Can't really argue with anything there. gosbluef: I don't agree WBA are not a good team. I think they are and they will be up there at the end of the season. But I do agree Wolfie needs to get his skates on occasionally. I get that our style of play is to wait for an opening, but we do look a bit slow at times and the endless back passing in front of the opposition can be a bit frustrating. Williams was good, and yes, he could have received more possession from his team mates.

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muhrensleftfoot added 09:27 - Nov 27 It's been a great start to the season. To lose our first away game of the season in late November against a very good side with an excellent home record, and probable promotion candidates is no disgrace. Yes, we weren't at our best, but for a long period of the 1st half we were the better side. The early goal in the 2nd half, from our corner, seemed to affect us. Put this one down to experience, and carry on doing what we've been doing so well.

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oldelsworthyfan added 12:22 - Nov 27 A good, honest summing up from Hirst. Leave it to McKenna to sort out, rather than picking on individual players. We often learn more from defeats than easy wins.
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planetblue_2011 added 13:10 - Nov 27 Can’t win them all
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ArnieM added 14:24 - Nov 27 We can't, and havent been-able to, for some considerable while, defend our own box when the ball comes in to it and mostly from the right side . Get Axel in there and get in another CB if his caliber for the left side . I’ve said for 2 seasons now that our central defenders aren’t good enough. The frailties are masked by our forward lines ability to score goals. Don’t score in a fans snd our defence is still leaking goals.

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blueboy1981 added 16:23 - Nov 27 But we are NOT ALOWED to say anything Negative, or Question anything - because ‘we’ve had a good start’ ….. !! What’s happening now, and what lies ahead doesn’t seem to matter to some - because ‘we’ve haf a good start’ - Get It ??
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jon_talbot56 added 20:49 - Nov 27 A few take aways from Saturday. We struggle against big physical teams, like last season. West Brom were exceptional without the ball and pretty lethal on the break. I thought Hirst part of the problem. He got nothing at all from their central defenders and WB closed down Chaplin very effectively. Nor did we get enough players in the box when the ball came in from the wings. And l agree our CBs are adequate but no more. I would like to see Scarlett given a start. And l hope we pick the pace up on Wednesday. Far too much backwards and sideways on Saturday.

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Sandman180 added 09:48 - Nov 28 Saturday was pretty pitiful all round, no player of note that stood out as having a good game - one to just park and move on. Two wins this week and everything is hunky dory again - with the run coming up in Dec, a reaction is needed.
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Linkboy13 added 10:28 - Nov 28 Considering the strength and ability of our squad the team is overachieving big time that's down to having a top manager and coach who is getting the most out of what he has got at his disposal. The fulcrum of our team is the central midfield partnership of Morsy and Luongo and both have been looking a bit leggy of late especially Luongo who has been replaced by Taylor who is a good player but is really a number ten. Wolfenden and Burgess are decent players but have never looked a partnership to me and struggle with the pace of the championship. I think the teams with the better players in this league will come on strong and we will have to settle for a place in the play offs which would be a fantastic achievement in it self. I think the owners will have to back McKenna in the January transfer window big time if we are to go up automatically but they have already indicated that they are not going to over spend. I would be looking at another central midfielder with energy and physical attributes and a left sided centre back.

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hyperbrit added 17:01 - Nov 28 McKenna is smart enough to know that Town have been found out and must not make the same mistake as Wed. and not bring in new players to plug the holes.It should be obvious by now why Hirst was let go by Leicester and Ladapo by Rotherham,and the centre backs as has been pointed out are League 1 standard.It promises to be an interesting Jan. transfer window.
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hyperbrit added 14:09 - Nov 29 the owners clearly are committed to taking Town to the Premier League where the big money lies.To think that they can do it without spending is foolishness.
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