Albion defender Caleb Taylor admitted he had mixed emotions following Albion’s Carabao Cup first-round defeat at Fleetwood Town on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old was handed the captain’s armband for the night, leading Carlos Corberán’s much-changed Baggies into battle at Highbury Stadium against the Cod Army.
Taylor’s team suffered a 2-1 loss after Mo Faal’s first senior goal for the club was cancelled out by two first-half Fleetwood strikes from Ryan Graydon and Ronan Coughlan.
Caleb says it was a “special feeling” to be skipper of the side, but insisted there was plenty of disappointment in the dressing room after the encounter.
The academy graduate said: “It’s certainly been a night of mixed emotions and it’s really good for the academy, particularly the staff, who put so much effort into developing us for the step up into the senior team. It’s a really big part of this football club.
“Games like tonight are a great chance for academy players, it’s how I made my debut when I was 18 against Arsenal, and it’s a brilliant opportunity for the lads to play first-team football.
“It’s a bit mixed because it’s great for them to experience this but we would like for them to experience it more, and I include myself in that, so to not progress into the next round is disappointing because I would love to play another game, as would the academy lads who would want to prove themselves within the first-team environment.
“Personally, I didn’t get many minutes during pre-season so tonight I was happy to get the full game which will help my fitness so if I am called up to play in the Championship then I am ready, whether that be from the start or if I come on from the bench.
“When I heard before the game that I was captain, it was a special feeling.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t have any family or friends at the game as it’s a little too far for them on a Tuesday night, but I’m sure they will have followed from home and be equally as proud of that achievement.
“I’ve been at the club since I was 10 and I’ve captained throughout the age groups up to the under-21s so to do it for the first team so soon, especially having not played many games, gave me a lot of confidence and I’m really proud to have led the team out.”
