Verbruggen: We always feel the fans' support

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Keeper has kept five cleansheets in the Premier League so far this campaign.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-02-02T15:45+00:00

Bart Verbruggen has made 91 appearances for Albion. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Bart Verbruggen has thanked Albion fans for their continued support after Albion suffered a late sucker punch in our 1-1 draw with Everton.

And he insists that the players are looking at themselves to get the results their recent performances have warranted.

“The fans are always on our side,” the Netherlands international said. "After the game [against Everton], they applaud for us. They always have our back and we feel that. That's very important for us. We feel that they are always on our side.

“And I think that's one of the most beautiful things about this club. Since I signed, they were always there with us, good times or bad times. And today was no different. So we feel that as players and now we want to give them something back next week.”

Bart admitted that he thought that an offside James Tarkowski had blocked his eyeline for Everton’s leveller – which came in the 97th minute despite the fourth official’s board showing only six minutes.

“Tarkowski ducked out of the way,” he said. “Obviously, we've seen plenty of scenes in the league where that gets given offside. But in my opinion, the referee can give it or he can not give it. To be honest, I'm not too mad about that.

“The referee gives what the referee gives, but it's up to the team to perform. No, we should never put a result, good or bad, on a referee. We should look at ourselves, what we can do better, what we have to do better, and the lessons we can learn. And that's no different on Saturday. So I don't really want to speak about the ref. I just want to speak about the team.

Bart Verbruggen said that Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk had 'another massive performance' against Everton. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

“First half they [Everton] had no shot on goal. Second half, I think, two, three, and then the goal. But I think we defended really strong as a unit. I think JP and Dunky, another massive performance. It feels really solid. It feels really good. But then again, we have to turn these good defensive performances into clean sheets. And these good performances as a team into wins.

“There is lessons we have to learn as a team. We have to learn quick and we will next week. And we will be better again next weekend. But it's hard, it's very hard. And it is because you're disappointed or you're upset. But then you have to look at it for what it is and learn lessons.

“Everybody in the dressing room, everybody has the right to be disappointed. Everybody has the right to be upset for now. When we're back in the building, everybody needs to turn the page and focus ahead and look to the next game. And be honest with yourself, be honest with each other, look in the mirror, learn your lessons and be better again next weekend.”