Roberto De Zerbi admits Albion’s performances give him sleepless nights – but only when we win.
The head coach says he spent a lot of last Saturday analysing the win over Liverpool, and would be quite happy to keep being kept awake after games.
He also believes that Albion, who could go fifth with victory at Leicester City today, are only playing at ‘60% of our potential.’
“We are playing well at the moment, and I am happy, but we can improve a lot,” he said. “I think we are at around 60% of our potential. On the pitch our team is strong in terms of the quality of play and personnel, and I believe in them, but we have to keep pushing and getting better.”
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Albion’s performance in the 3-0 victory over Liverpool earned plenty of praise but De Zerbi admits he learns more about his team after a setback.
“When we lose you make mistakes so it’s easier to understand. I was very happy with the Liverpool game but it’s in the past, you soon forget about it. The focus always has to be on the next game.”
The Italian believes Leicester are in a false position, despite losing all four games since the resumption after the World Cup break.
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“It will be a very difficult game,” he warned. “I don’t know if [James] Maddison will play for them but players like him, [Youri] Tielemans, [Jamie] Vardy are very good players. In Leicester’s stadium, it will be difficult for us.”
With Levi Colwill likely to be missing, either Adam Webster or Jan Paul van Hecke will slot in alongside Lewis Dunk in central defence. De Zerbi says he would have no problem playing van Hecke.
“He played with courage and intelligence at Middlesbrough. I liked him in that game. I want to build a squad of 20 players that are able to play in every game, I want them to be ready. We are stronger with 20 than we are with 11, 12 or 13.”