The loss to the Baggies was the Magpies’ 10th defeat in just 19 Premier League games, meaning Newcastle will begin 2016 with five fewer points than halfway through the 2008-09 campaign, when they were relegated
However, Steve McClaren feels the festive period has taken its toll on Newcastle United.
The Magpies have emerged from three games in eight days with just one point to show for their efforts and are now back in the relegation zone in the Premier League.
While every top class team in Europe are used to two games a week, Newcastle don't seem to be able to manage it ... those poor little soldiers!
McClaren has sympathised with his players for putting in two games in three days.
If we intend returning to the days of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson when two games a week was the norm because we were in Europe ... we need get rid of this McClaren "relegation" attitude blaming "too many games".
McClaren said: “We’ve had a tough three days and I feel so sorry for the lads.
“After so much effort and attitude, to stand toe to toe with West Brom, dealing with all the crosses and the balls in the box, I thought we did ever so well.
“But the game hinged on two things.
“It was a certain penalty – it’s unbelievable.
“It doesn’t help us, it’s cost us the chance to get the first goal, which is all-important in this kind of game.
“We’re all unhappy with the goal we conceded.
“We coped with everything and I don’t think Darren Fletcher will say it was a bullet header but that’s football. Decisions at each end have cost us but we’ll battle on.”