Darren Moore: West Brom are ready to strike as soon as the opposition tire

The Baggies came from 1-0 down to blitz Reading 4-1 at The Hawthorns today with a scintillating second-half performance that delivered four goals in just over 30 minutes.

It came after a sluggish first-half that Moore put down to Albion's gruelling midweek trip to Hillsborough. Albion also finished that game strongly, roaring back from 2-0 down to earn a point, and Moore reckons his side will always fancy their chances from behind.

The Baggies have been better after the break all season, and when he was asked to explain his team's different performances in either half, he said: "It will come down to fatigue and tiredness.

"The opposition can't maintain resilient off-the-ball pressure on us. They're going to tire and in the second half spaces will occur.

"As the game wears on there will be a fatigue element. On Wednesday night and today, you saw that. We've had the quality in those areas of the pitch to score.

"We want to start the game bright but you've got an opposition team trying to stop you playing your stuff."

Albion were lacklustre in the first half and went into half-time deservedly behind, but Moore, who only made one change from the side that started against Sheffield Wednesday, reckons that game had taken its toll.

"We've had two tough away games, been on the road and we got back from Sheffield at 1am in the morning," he said. "You've got 48 hours to turn it around.

"What you don't bank on is going a goal down so early in the game, the big thing for me was not conceding a second.

"We knew the boys would get a second wind and we came out and moved the ball well. Reading tired in the latter parts and once the gaps and spaces opened up we found them and were really effective.

"At half-time it was about finding a way of getting back into the game. We had to break down a stubborn defensive rearguard, we knew we had to go and take it to them, Reading weren't going to give us anything."

Moore's second-half substitutes also made a difference, with 20-year-old Kyle Edwards and Chris Brunt impressing.

Cheers greeted the decision to bring Edwards on for Tyrone Mears, who had a tricky afternoon at right wing-back, but Moore defended the 35-year-old.

"Kyle Edwards was fantastic. While I don't like to give individual praise, I want to single both him and Tyrone Mears out.

"Tyrone came in and played three games in seven days, when he came in he wasn't fit so that shows great testament to him.

"It was his cross Gayle scored from so great credit to him. I've said it to him in front of the group and I'll say it to you too. The first goal was the turning point.

"Dwight scored the goal and it knocked the wind out of their sails and gave us fresh impetus.

"Same with Kyle, he's a wonderful product of our academy.

"I felt the game was right for him at that time, fresh legs, that hunger and desire and I think we saw glimpses of the talent he's got.

"I thought it might put Reading on the back foot which it did do, and he's contributed to a valuable three points."

When Moore was asked what he thought about the fans cheering that substitution, he said: "My message is clear to the home fans.

"They're here to support the team and that's it. If we're going to do anything this season we all need to be together, so my message is clear. We've all got our jobs to do.

"The fans come and get behind the team, they do get behind the team and they will have to continue to do that for the duration of the season.

"It's a tough long season. We need them all, every single one of them plays a vital part. I thank them all for contributing to a vital three points."