David Stockdale insists there were plenty of positives in defeat for Albion against Southampton.

The £1 million goalkeeper from Fulham conceded three goals on his debut against the classy Saints but refused to be downhearted.

Stockdale said: “It was against quality opposition. It wasn’t so much a gulf in class but you could tell the quality tactically they had and I don’t think there are many teams that could match that in the Championship.

“I don’t think we were disgraced at all. Obviously it was a pre-season friendly, they were changing things around and so were we.

“There are plenty of positives to come out of it if you look at the opposition we will come up against and how we know we can play. At times we played out really well from the back. We’d like to get a few more shots on goal but it’s not easy against Southampton. The difference in class is pretty big.”

Stockdale, rusty after a lack of pre-season action with Fulham, accepted blame for Southampton’s first goal struck from 20 yards by Serb midfielder Dusan Tadic.

“I’m disappointed,” he said. “My position was a little bit wrong. I’m the first to tell anyone. I went in and told the lads it was down to me and it certainly won’t happen again. It was just about getting my positioning. When you haven’t played for a long time you don’t lose it but it’s just sharpness at times.”