Megson: Hughes sale irrelevant

Megson was happy with the performance of his strikers

WBA manager Gary Megson said the sale of Lee Hughes to Coventry had nothing to do with his team's opening day defeat at Walsall.

Albion wasted numerous good chances in the first half and their profligate finishing was eventually punished when Tony Barras scored the winner for the Saddlers after 62 minutes.

Hughes was sold last week for £5,000,0001 but Megson said: "It was nothing to do with Lee Hughes.

"We did not struggle up front and I am not sure whether Lee would have scored.

"It's hypothetical. We don't know."

Ironically, Hughes scored after 29 minutes of his Sky Blues debut as Coventry beat Stockport 2-0 at Edgeley Park.

Walsall manager Ray Graydon was delighted that his team claimed three points from their first game back in Division One following promotion last season.

"It was tight and I have said to the players not to get carried away because on the football side West Brom were better than us.

"They passed it better and they created more chances than we did.

"But I could not fault my lads for effort, though we shall have to improve if we want to continue with these results."