Hull 0 West Brom 0: Alan Irvine glad to halt run of defeats

Baggies drew 0-0 at Hull on Saturday

Alan Irvine looks on form the touchline on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

Under-fire West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Irvine believes his side’s gruelling goalless draw at Hull was an important result as the Baggies prepare to head into the busy festive fixture programme.

Graham Dorrans had a first-half penalty saved by Tigers goalkeeper Allan McGregor but the visitors managed to end an alarming run of four defeats. Irvine – who also saw McGregor save brilliantly from Craig Gardner’s second-half free-kick – is convinced the spirit showed by his side indicated better times will soon be around the corner.

“Certainly the lads feel like it was a start and they felt positive about their performance and rightly so,” he said.

“They are disappointed they did not get back to winning ways and I am delighted they feel that way but it was great to stop that run of defeats and pleasing to have got the clean sheet.”

Irvine made the brave decision to drop Saido Berahino to the bench but said he retained faith in the striker, who has not looked like scoring since his call-up to the England senior squad exactly a month ago.

“I made the decision to take him out of the firing line to some extent and give him a breather,” Irvine added. “Hopefully that will be good for him and he will respond. I have got no doubt that his form will return.”