Interviews

Darren calls for 'more of the same'

'IF it ain't broke, don't fix it' was the message from Darren Moore ahead of Albion's trip to Newcastle.

The Baggies are unbeaten in Mooro's three games in charge; draws with Swansea City and Liverpool at The Hawthorns coming either side of a famous victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

The Magpies are next on the fixture list for the big man. And, although the message of 'one game at a time' remains, anything but a win for Albion on Tyneside would see their eight-year stay in the Premier League come to an end.

It's a propsect that has loomed large over the Club this season. But it doesn't seem to have affected Darren, who has called on his side to keep up the good work of recent weeks.

"To get that equaliser in the 88th-minute against Liverpool was no more than I thought we deserved," he said, reflecting on last weekend's performance.

"I was really, really pleased for everybody at the Football Club. 

"I thought the commitment, courage, attitude, character and composure by the players was second to none against a very good team.

"Liverpool have had an excellent season and to get something against them we had to be at our very best. And the players certainly were.

"The spirit in training has been really good for the last two or three weeks, it really has. Obviously a result like that only adds to it. It's been excellent and we want more of the same."

Goalkeeping Coach Neil Cutler this week attributed the Baggies' upturn in fortunes to meticulous planning and preparation on the training field. For Darren, it had been down to greater unity in the ranks. In reality, neither succeed without the other.

"The first thing you want to work to is getting set and getting a structure, being more difficult to play against," Darren added.

"Hopefully that's been us and we've turned a corner. You try and set solid foundations and build from there.

"But, as I've said before, that foundation has been built on a togetherness between everybody."

It's a togetherness that will once again be called on by the Baggies boss as his side walk out at St. James' Park. They'll be up against an "organised" outfit, led by an "excellent manager".

"Newcastle are an excellent, hard-working team, very organised," Darren continued.

"They play some wonderful football where they can link it through the pitch or play the ball wide. They've got some good legs, good energy in the team.

"They've got real discipline that reflects the understanding of the game that Rafa [Benitez] has. He's an excellent manager, an excellent coach. He's been in the game for a long time."

  • Home