Midfielder also determined to make amends to his team-mates for red card
YOUSSOUF Mulumbu is determined to make amends to his team-mates and the fans for his West Ham red card after a weekend of frustration watching from the sidelines.The Baggies midfielder has again apologised for his stoppage-time sending-off in the 3-1 Upton Park defeat when, after being fouled by Gary O’Neil, he kicked the ball at the Hammers midfielder.
He missed Saturday’s clash with Arsenal as the first game of his three-match ban and will also sit out the home date with Newcastle and the visit to Southampton.
But Mulumbu is eager to turn a negative into a positive and make the most of his enforced month-long break to come back revitalised for the final four matches against Wigan, Norwich, Manchester United and Manchester City.
“I want to apologise again,” said the DR Congo international.
“After it happened I knew it was a big mistake from me.
“Normally I’m calm and I love to play football.
“I was wrapped up in the atmosphere of the game and I wanted to win.
“I was disappointed.
“But it’s a good lesson for me and I need to move on now.
“I feel like I’ve let my team-mates and the fans down.
“I hope I can bounce back and when I come back I need to be fit.
“Four weeks is really long so the best thing for me is to stay fit and focused because there are four games when I’m back and they are hard ones, including both Manchester clubs.
“I didn’t want this break - but sometimes it’s good.
“I will be fresh but I also have to keep working really hard with the coaches to stay fit.
“I need to give my best.
“I’ll be available to play against Wigan and I hope I can make it up to my team-mates and the fans.”