Eric Ramsay: FA Cup exit had 'helpful' elements in progressing West Brom squad

It continued Albion's desperate record away from The Hawthorns and Ramsay is now winless in his first seven games at the helm - but the head coach was satisfied after focusing on other factors in Norfolk.

They included handing important minutes to squad players who have been nursing long-term injury issues, those who have not played as much as required in recent months and opportunities to fringe players and youngsters. Ramsay made nine changes in total at Carrow Road.

"I'm disappointed with the result, certainly given how we came back into the game in the second half but we had multiple objectives coming into this game," Ramsay said.

"Of course it would have been noted by team selection that seeing young players up close in this type of context was one of them. I feel we can look back pretty positively in that sense.

"There were minutes across players that found minutes harder to come by and 90 minutes harder to come by was another and again there's positive elements to that.

"So I've said to the players at the end of the game and framed it in this way prior that we have to get to the end of this game irrespective of the outcome and feel like we've in a number of ways moved the group forward and I certainly look back and feel as though that's the case."

Academy graduates Harry Whitwell and Ollie Bostock were handed just a second and first Albion start respectively and both did themselves justice.

The visitors equalised through Josh Maja in the second half but were undone by late Ben Chrisene and Mohamed Toure goals.

Ramsay was pleased to hand important exposure to defender Krystian Bielik and winger Mikey Johnston, both returning from injury, and full-back Alfie Gilchrist, whose minutes have been limited.

There was also a Baggies debut for Hindolo Mustapha, who was withdrawn at the interval. The sour note aside from defeat was a foot injury for goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, who left Carrow Road in a protective boot.

Ramsay added: "I had to take control of the long-term picture in terms of how we approach this game.

"Obviously only I can make those decisions and selections and where of course it wasn't the strongest, most senior, experienced line-up that we could have put out today, I felt like it was a team that could have been competitive.

"It was competitive for a large part, certainly grew into the game as it went and while we're in no way pleased to be in this situation, I really felt that from 70 or 75 minutes onwards we'd have a real go at winning the game.

"The fact that I can keep my focus on a number of things that were certainly steps forward is helpful at the moment."