Interviews

Carlos Corberán | We must keep 'good momentum'

Carlos Corberán.

Albion boss Carlos Corberán says it's vital that his side keep up their 'good momentum' when they host Sunderland on Sunday afternoon (ko 12pm).

The Spaniard's side take on the Black Cats having won successive away games against Stoke City and Blackpool, which lifted his team to within touching distance of the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off places.

And the boss believes that the Baggies must continue their encouraging form at The Hawthorns this weekend when Tony Mowbray's team visit The Hawthorns.

Corberán said: "I think it’s always important to keep the good momentum of the team.

"After two good results we need to understand why we achieved those results, and do everything we need to keep this momentum in the team.

"I think the players have all been very focused on what they need to do, which is to prepare for the game in the best way we can. We know that every time we’re on the football pitch it’s a real battle against the opponent.

"Every opponent battles in a different way, and we need to understand what the needs of the game are going to be, because they could be the opposite or different from the games we’ve played before.

"We need to be very concentrated to show our level in a game which is going to different to previous ones."

Albion take on Sunderland looking to do the double over the Wearsiders - having bested them 2-1 at the Stadium of Light back in December upon their return from the World Cup break.

The boss expects it to be a contrasting challenge to other recent fixtures, and one the Baggies should be diligently prepared for if they want to get a result.

"I think it’s going to be a very nice game because they try to compete by making the best football that they can make," he continued.

"They like to play out from the back, they like to dominate the ball, they like to have the ball.

"So this means that it’s one game that if we want to do well, we need to know how to press and press well, and we need to know how to defend, and defend well.

"We need to have the ball, too, and know what to do with the ball, because they have the capability to have the ball a lot and be comfortable."

Carlos also provided an update on the fitness of Albion's squad - confirming that Kyle Bartley is edging closer to a return to action and could feature in Sunday's clash, while Okay Yokuslu will be monitored leading up to the fixture.

He added: "The injuries have not been kind. We didn’t have the best luck in terms of these injuries, but at the same time we need to face these situations with the highest levels of resilience.

"Right now, the positive thing is that Kyle Bartley has trained with the group, he has completed part of the training and if tomorrow he trains normally with the group he’ll be one of the players available for the game.

"Of course, he’s not going to be at the best level because he’s only had two training sessions, but some players with their character can help the team and he’s one case of this.

"With Chalobah I can’t give positive news because he’s suffered an injury which is normally around three weeks, but we’re going to monitor him over the next week to see how he progresses and see how the ligament that he has damaged will improve.

"With Okay, we'll wait until the day before the game to test him and see if he can be ready to help the squad or not."

  • Corberan