Club News

Shan targets return to winning ways at Newcastle

Baggies in Premier League 2 action on Monday afternoon

ALBION’s Premier League 2 boss James Shan is keen to see his side return to winning ways when they travel to Newcastle United on Monday afternoon.

The youngsters head north on the back of three consecutive defeats in three separate competitions – West Ham in the league, Ipswich in the Premier League Cup and most recently Gillingham in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Shan admits the results have hampered morale, but says the clash with the Magpies at Northumberland FA (ko 1pm) is a perfect opportunity to get back on track.

He said: “We have had three defeats in the last few weeks and the morale and the feeling around the training ground suffers because of that.

“It’s not nice losing and also not nice when we don’t perform well.

“We are going up to Newcastle to try and get a result and we’re confident we can do that.

“We haven’t really had a break with the three games in eight days, then the Gillingham fixture in the Checkatrade Trophy, as well a friendly last Tuesday.

“It’s fortunate that we haven’t had three consecutive league losses because that would have dented our promotion hopes.

“Hopefully we can get back to winning ways on Monday.

“Newcastle are a good side and they have always posed a good challenge when we have come up against them in previous years.

“They like to keep the ball, pass it, and move teams around the pitch.

“Our Under-18 team played them on Saturday and there is a common thread between the way their Under-18 side and their Under-23 team play.

“I’m expecting a really good game of football.”