Megson relieved

WEST Brom manager Gary Megson felt his side were "an accident waiting to happen" as they were outplayed by Ipswich Town in the first half, writes Derek Davis.

A couple of canny substitutions changed the complexion of the game with Jason Koumas and Lloyd Dyer both scoring when they went on.

Megson admitted that in the opening period he felt the visitors were fortunate to still be hanging on.

He said: "We were probably lucky to only go in 1-0 down. When we came in at half-time we didn't think we needed particularly re-organising, just that a lot of our players had not played like they can.

"In the second half we caused more of a problem for Ipswich. There is a lot said about tactics and formations, but the width came from people running and getting themselves out wide.

"I think we were an accident waiting to happen in the first half – I would have taken 0-0 at half-time."

Megson paid tribute to the character and resilience of his side, which had one goal disallowed but still hit three.

The equaliser came from a 30-yard free kick which curled in off a post by Koumas who also played a vital role in the injury-time winner. Koumas has been dropped from the starting line-up recently but showed his capabilities with a free-kick for Wales last week and repeated the feat against Town and keep the Baggies level on points with Norwich at the top of the league.

He said: "It was a massive win today. With Sunderland not playing it was vital to hang in there and get the three points."

Megson hailed Koumas as the best player outside the Premiership after helping to turn the game when he went on as a half-time substitution. He said: "Talent-wise Jason Koumas is the best footballer outside the Premiership and probably better than some of those in the Premiership. But there are still a lot of things he needs to do to his game."

The Baggies boss would not admit his side were as good as those in the Premiership, warning there could still many twists to come.