Tony Mowbray is confident the impact of a potentially lengthy run in the FA Cup will not impact on West Brom's main priority of gaining promotion to the Barclays Premier League.
The Baggies needed extra-time and penalties to defeat Charlton in a third round replay at a rain-lashed Hawthorns last night after surrendering a 2-0 lead in normal time.
They will be favourites now to progress to the fifth round after drawing Coca-Cola League Two Peterborough next, a side they have already knocked out of the Carling Cup this season.
Baggies boss Mowbray believes the fact his side managed to beat the Addicks will help them recover from their exertions in time for Saturday's home Championship clash with Cardiff. Mowbray said: "We were 2-0 up and should have won the game from that point but very poor goals let them back into the game.
"The positive thing is the team managed to react and did not allow the momentum to swing entirely their way in extra-time.
"We managed to galvanise ourselves and I was pleased with our application and we have got there in the end.
"In the fifth round last year, we lost on penalties to Middlesbrough and it took a lot out of the team. But you hope that winning a penalty shoot-out means we will be in a positive mental frame of mind going into next Saturday's game with Cardiff. ~
"Psychologically, it is better to win a football match. Your legs don't feel so tired and your brain doesn't feel so tired and you go into the Saturday feeling a lot better about yourselves.
"Will a cup run impact on the league? I don't think so, although it did impact on the side last year in the run-in. With 10 games to go, we were top of the league and then we had extra-time and penalties against Middlesbrough but that was a few rounds down the line.
"The players are all aware of our targets and goals. We have 19 huge matches to try and take us where we want to be.
"We are still in the FA Cup. We have played Peterborough already in the Carling Cup and if we give a similar performance and get a similar result, we will be okay."
Charlton manager Alan Pardew admitted: "I am disappointed in the sense we had so many chances to win the game. They are a good side and we matched them for long periods.
"West Brom had a bit of luck when it came to the penalties and have gone through. But maybe going out will be a silver lining for us in the sense that the Coca-Cola Championship is a tough and long campaign.
"West Brom may go even further again and the longer you are in the competition, the more it can impact in terms of pressure, injuries, suspensions etc."
