Neal Maupay says Albion must channel the frustration they have felt after recent results in a positive way ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves.
Albion had a club Premier League record 24 shots in last Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace but ended up losing 1-0.
Maupay missed a second-half opportunity he felt he should have taken and then inadvertently blocked Lewis Dunk’s goal-bound header when it hit him on the nose.
The Frenchman insists Albion’s recent results have not affected the squad’s belief that they can climb up the table in the remaining ten games.
He said, “Crystal Palace was frustrating. We played well and were in control for most of the game. I should have scored, and we had other chances. It’s very rare to have 24 shots in a Premier League game and not score. It’s simple really, we need to keep working and improving to have good results in the rest of the season.
“But I wouldn’t say it has affected our confidence. We know our qualities. It’s not the first time this season we have played well and not got the win.. It is frustrating, especially for me as a striker but it pushes us to work even harder as a squad to rectify those problems.”
Maupay retains a healthy self-belief but admits he feels guilty if he is not contributing goals regularly.
“When you don’t score that’s what people remember, not that the keeper made a great save, or it hit the post,” he said. “It’s pressure but I am used to it. I know I am a goal scorer. The manager and my team-mates believe in me and that’s the most important thing and I want to repay them with goals in the last ten games to help us get the wins we need.
“I got 28 goals last season [for Brentford], this season it is eight. It is a different level and you can go four or five games without a goal and if the team isn’t winning that is tough. Sometimes I feel to guilty because I’m not scoring enough for the team but all the top strikers struggle.
“They keep believing in themselves and that’s what I’ll do - work hard on the pitch and in training in the belief that the goals will come. I believe in my team-mates and I know we have the quality to stay in the Premier League.”
Maupay praised the contribution of fellow forward Glenn Murray in recent weeks, both on a personal level and how his experience can help the team in their current situation.
“Glenn is massive for me and the rest of the squad,” added Maupay. “He always says the right thing to help the team because he knows the game so well, both in training and on the pitch. He is calm and it is good to have his experience. He’s a big player for us.”
One of Maupay’s goals came in the 2-2 draw against Wolves at the Amex in December and while he respects their qualities, he believes Albion can maintain an unbeaten run at Molineux that stretches back to 2006.
He said, “Wolves have pace in counter-attacks and a lot of quality, but we can get a result. We drew 2-2 earlier in the season and I scored and that’s always good from a personal point of view, to know you have scored against your next opponent.”