West Brom head coach Tony Pulis admits that his side's poor start cost them any chance of a result in Saturday's 3-0 Premier League home defeat to Tottenham.
The Baggies went behind at The Hawthorns in the sixth minute from a Christian Eriksen free kick, while Harry Kane added a second for the visitors nine minutes later.
Kane scored his 20th of the season from the penalty spot 64 minutes in to wrap up the points for Spurs, and Pulis conceded that his side's bad start was crucial in what was his first defeat at the club.
"The first 20 minutes was poor," he told his postmatch news conference. "I thought we started sloppy, gave the ball away too many times and didn't play with any tempo.
"Giving them a two-goal lead was disappointing. We needed a goal but their goalkeeper was absolutely fantastic. You look at the opportunities and the chances, then look at the saves he made, especially the two before half-time, wonderful saves.
"Even in the second half we had opportunities but then they get a penalty and a third one, which kills it. If we could have got a goal for 2-1 it would have lifted us and put more pressure on them. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. It was their day.''
Pulis, who gave a debut to new signing Callum McManaman, now wants to add more players before Monday's transfer deadline.
"This week is a difficult week in lots of respects because of the window, trying to line up players," he added.
"It is difficult for myself but we have got to bounce back. Hopefully [on Tuesday] having brought a few in, I'll be happy."
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.