Carlos Corberan delighted with West Brom owner understanding

Albion led 2-1 until the closing stages at Loftus Road – after Alex Palmer saved a penalty and defender Cedric Kipre controversially handballed off the line – before home midfielder Sam Field netted the second of his two goals.

Asked if Florida-based Patel learned a lesson from the Loftus Road drama, Corberan said: “He understands the Championship perfectly because he has been following every game of the team, so he understands football.

“It’s true that sometimes live the feeling can increase but he has visualised the Championship and the team and we were talking before the game how difficult the game would be, and all of the players.

“And I told you the day before that the game could be one of the most difficult games before the end of the season, because I watched how they were competing and not the position in the table and the quality of players and coach that they have.”

It was Patel’s second live game after watching Albion at The Hawthorns against Southampton a few weeks ago, 24 hours after an agreement in principle for his takeover was made public.

The investor has revealed he first registered his interest in the club in September and is understood to have followed every fixture closely since. He was in England briefly in late October where he spoke to Corberan for the first time, as reported by the Express & Star.

Patel spoke to the head coach before and following the QPR clash and in the 24 hours afterwards. It is not yet known how often the owner plans to be on these shores but it is understood he intends to be a hands-on owner and a regular presence in the Black Country, the polar opposite to his predecessor Lai.

The 43-year-old has carried a heavy social media presence since the Bilkul Football WBA takeover was complete and has engaged with first-team and women’s team results, as well as posting a photograph meeting Baggies legend Tony Bomber Brown, who he met with at the team’s hotel ahead of kick-off in West London.