Maupay: Back-to-back wins has buoyed spirits

Neal Maupay admitted that prior to the wins over Southampton and Newcastle, the Albion dressing room was 'struggling a little bit'.

Despite some really impressive displays, Albion had only taken two points from their five matches prior to last weekend’s 2-1 win at St Mary's.

That result, backed up by the tremendous 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday, has seen the Albion mood change for the better according to their French forward, who scored his eighth goal of the season and first for ten games against Steve Bruce's team.

“It was a massive win for us, we knew before the Newcastle game it was really important. The weeks before Southampton we were struggling a little bit, but then we won and went into Saturday feeling very positive – a 3-0 win, three great goals and a clean sheet made it a very good night for us. All three goals were very nice. We were ready and our game plan was really good, everyone knew what to do.

“When we play with confidence we know we have got quality, but sometimes we only play as well as we can for one half. Against Newcastle we were at it for the full 90 minutes. That's why we got the win.

“We didn't feel sorry for ourselves in those tough moments. When things aren't going your way, it's easy to be negative and for your head to drop, but that’s not what we did. We kept working hard every day knowing the manager believes us.

“We know we can perform to a really high level, but there are still a lot of games to play. We have got two wins in a row, but we need to keep playing as well as we can.”

It was palpable relief for the 24-year-old when he fired in Albion's third against the Magpies – his first since the win over Leeds United in January.

“I can't lie, I am really pleased to have scored. The last few games I haven't been really efficient and I am aware of that. Sometimes there are ups and downs, but I knew it would come if I worked hard and I was grateful to be back on the scoresheet."

While pleased with his goal, Maupay believes it was Danny Welbeck's strike – Albion's second of the evening – that put the game to bed. “They had just hit the post so it's because of Danny's goal we won the game, that was the turning point in the second half.”

Head coach Graham Potter wants the momentum to be maintained when Albion return to action on 4th April at Old Trafford.

“We're playing a good team every weekend, so it's not easy to get results. But after two wins in a row we can have a little break and be ready for the rest of the season.”