Lewis Dunk's review of 2024

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Luke Nicoli

2025-01-03T06:00+00:00

Lewis Dunk has made 15 Premier League appearances so far this campaign. 📷 by James Boardman.

Club captain Lewis Dunk has reflected on 2024, a year in which Albion reached the knockout stages of European competition for the first time, as well as seeing the appointment of a new head coach.

Lewis, looking at the year generally, it’s been another good one for the club, right?

It’s another year where we can be proud of our achievements. Obviously we’d already reached the Round of 16 in the Europa League, having previously topped our group, but it was a proud moment for us all to be taking on Roma (in March) at the knockout stage. We’ve also enjoyed a positive opening half of the Premier League season, even if we’ve had the odd hiccup along the way, and have picked up some really good results, especially here at the Amex. But we know that there’s also plenty more to come from us.

What did you make of those two games against Roma in the Europa League?

Albion defeated Roma 1-0 at the Amex, after a 4-0 loss in Rome in the first leg. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

There’s still plenty of regret with the way the first leg went in Rome. While it was a proud moment to lead the team out for such a huge game in our club’s history, and in such an iconic stadium, we didn’t do ourselves justice on the night with our performance. Saying that, it was a real learning experience. Roma’s players had that extra know-how playing at this level; they knew exactly how to manage the game, such as using up minutes when they needed to. They also took their chances with the class players they have and the tie was pretty much over after the first leg. I was proud of the way we responded in the second leg at the Amex though; we deserved our win and left the pitch that night with our heads held high. Looking back, it was an incredible feeling to skipper the side for our debut European campaign, one of the highlights of my career so far, and hopefully I’ll get another chance before too long.

Our league form took a hit with all the extra European and cup games. Was the drop-off in the second half of last season inevitable?

It was frustrating more than anything. When you’ve got all these extra games you need everyone to stay fit, but we suffered with injuries, and some big ones at that, which hurt us as the season went on. Saying that, I’m not going to sit here and use that as an excuse. Injuries are part and parcel of football – every team has spells in the season when they’re not at their strongest – but on a positive note, I think the strength in depth we have this season is the best since I’ve been at the club. We made some really good additions in the summer and there’s real competition in every position.

We also lost your big mate Pascal Gross to Borussia Dortmund after seven years here. A club legend, right?

Pascal Gross departed Albion in the summer after seven years with the club. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

A legend on the pitch and a top, top man off it. It was fitting that he bowed out as a double Player of the Season award winner, which was so well deserved given his performances. In fact, since we came into the Premier League, he has been our ‘Mr Consistency’ and it was great to see him play for Germany at the Euros. Dortmund is a fantastic move for him at this stage of his career and it was great to see him and his family back at the Amex a few weeks ago to say a proper goodbye to all the staff at the club and the fans. We will all miss the famous Pascal Gross turn!

Talking of the Euros, you were part of the England squad that reached the final against Spain. What are your memories of the tournament?

Lewis Dunk celebrates with the England team after they reached the final of EURO 2024.

To be called up for the finals was a very proud moment for my family, for me and for the football club, but there are obviously mixed emotions looking back. It was disappointing not to have played any minutes and, of course, gutting that we lost the final against Spain. On the flip side, there are some really positive memories I take from the summer, such as the friendships I built with the lads, training in such a high quality environment, and being a part of the squad for each game. I’ve said previously that I’m a big England fan, so it hurt to see us get so close to a trophy again, but hopefully we can get over the line in the next World Cup or Euros. We have the players to do it, without a doubt.

You came back to the Albion with a new head coach in charge. What were your early impressions of Fabian?

Fabian Hurzeler and Lewis Dunk. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Very good. After the Euros ended and before I went away on holiday, I made sure I visited the training ground to meet Fabian and his coaching staff. I was very impressed with what he had to say and I got a feel for his coaching methods and the way he wanted to play, which made it easier for me once I’d returned before the start of the new season. As everyone now knows, our training sessions are intense, and we play as we train, but everyone’s reacted really well to a new coach – we’re enjoying our football that’s for sure.

Given his age, is he easy to relate to?

First and foremost, he’s our gaffer. He calls the shots and that’s how it always should be. All this talk about his age is getting a bit boring now; we don’t see age when we’re on the training ground or on a matchday – that goes for the players’ ages as well. Maybe he can relate to the players a bit more and he gets the banter that goes on, but there’s always a line that has to be there between the coach and his players. As captain, I obviously have plenty of conversations with him during any given week and it’s always positive, always constructive. I’ve found him to be a really good guy and someone who wants to win. He’s really passionate about the game and passionate about wanting his players to improve.

Given our solid opening four months of the season, what is the target for 2025?

Late drama on Fabian Hurzeler's first game at the Amex in the Premier League.

Ultimately, we want to qualify for Europe again – I think that is a realistic target for us. We’ve shown what we’re capable of, beating the likes of Man City, Tottenham, Man United and Newcastle, but we’re also aware of the competitive nature of the division, as was highlighted in our home games against the likes of Ipswich, Wolves and Southampton. You’ve got to be on it every single week in the Premier League because every team has players who can hurt you.

How are you feeling after your calf injury?

All good now, thanks. I felt something in the warm-up against Wolves and with calf injuries you have to rest them completely otherwise you can make things a lot worse. It was frustrating being sidelined for a month, but it was good to get back out on the pitch against Southampton. With the international break, fortunately I only missed four games, but I have to be honest, I’m not great on the sidelines. I’m kicking every ball and just want to be out there helping the lads. The medical team did a great job so a big thanks to Florian, Sean and the medical team for suffering my moans and groans in the treatment room!

Finally, what’s your message to the fans?

Well, I hope you’re enjoying the festive period and I’d like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2025. The support you’ve given us this past year has been fantastic – both on the road and here at the Amex – and hopefully we’ve repaid you, on the whole, with our performances on the pitch. We’re all looking forward to seeing where the rest of the season takes us, both in the league and The FA Cup, and we know you’ll be behind us every step of the way. Every player in our dressing room appreciates times are hard for football fans, which makes your support even more phenomenal.