Interviews

Undav: Fans will help us over the line

Striker netted Albion's goal in defeat at Newcastle.

By Charlie Hanson • 19 May 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Deniz Undav gave Albion hope with his goal shortly after half-time at Newcastle.

Deniz Undav has said that the Albion fans will play an integral role in our last three games.

We head into our final fixtures in the knowledge that two wins will see us qualify for Europe, with Southampton now in our sights after a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Thursday.

Our German striker, who scored his fourth goal in five at St James’ Park, says he is taking the loss personally after scoring an own goal and conceding the free kick which led to Newcastle’s second.

“The own goal was unlucky, the second one it wasn’t necessary for me to go down and give them the free-kick. I scored a goal, but the defeat is on me,” he said. “I take responsibility and I should be smarter. I am not happy we lost, the two goals happen at the end because we opened up trying to find an equaliser.

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PL Highlights: Newcastle 4 Albion 1

“They pressed really well, we knew that they were a strong, physical and smart team. They ran a lot. We should have been a lot better in the first half, but that’s the test, we have to learn from it.

“We have to use it for the next game and next year, not to waste a first half like we did. We were a different team in the second half, we were unlucky not to score a second goal.”

The focus is now on Sunday’s game against Saints and Undav knows our fans will be proud to play their part.

“We have two home games and we need to show a reaction and take all the points. We can build on the second half performance [at Newcastle], we have to play more like that.

“Our fans will support us. The fans are always a big part, you could hear them going crazy at the top of the stadium in Newcastle on Thursday. We hope it’s like this for the last three games. We need to make sure that we are ready and we give everything.”