West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson praised his Carling Cup star performers – admitting they had done their Premier League prospects no harm with a 4-1 win at Bournemouth.
The Baggies made 11 changes to the side which lost to Chelsea at the weekend.
And the players rewarded Hodgson and the travelling fans with a comfortable victory, thanks to two goals from Marc-Antoine Fortuné and further strikes by Jerome Thomas and Simon Cox.
Hodgson praised their efforts, particularly Fortuné, who equalled last season’s tally.
“I was pleased with Marco as he’s had not had may opportunities lately,” said Hodgson. “He did well and got two goals which is important and it’ll be good for his confidence.
“I got from the players what I expected. We left 13 good players at home if you include Peter Odemwingie and Zoltan Gera to the 11 who played against Chelsea so it was a good performance by those who were at Bournemouth.
“It would be nice to progress in the Carling Cup and it’s important to give players a chance. Some of the players took a chance to impress upon me that maybe I should include them.
“This is partly what these games are about. I know they are good players at reserve level but I needed to know they are good at this level.
“We are taking this competition seriously, we want to do well in it but I will also use it to try to give players who aren’t always playing a chance and opportunity to show me what they can do.
“The Carling Cup is the ideal platform to do that.”
Hodgson also confirmed Craig Dawson had been watched by England under-21 boss Stuart Pearce.
