Shakespeare Aiming For Southampton Upset

An unfortunate own goal handed West Brom a win over City last time out, but they put in a much-improved performance from the previous loss at Swansea and created enough opportunities to win the game. 

Now against second placed Southampton, they have a chance to show what they can do. Shakespeare said: “It’s one of those where nobody will fancy us, but we know we’re more than capable of getting a result down there. I think Southampton have surprised everybody, especially with the change of manager and the change of personalities in terms of players. They’re in a rich vein of form but what a good place to go and get a result. 

“We’ve probably worked on crossing and finishing more this season than we have in the five seasons that I’ve been here. So it just shows you that sometimes you have to keep plugging away. 

“I’m a believer that we have to practise right too. The players want to do the finishing sessions. We know it’s one of the hardest things to get right, but it won’t be for the want of trying. 

“The fine margins in the Premier League are just that. It’s a very difficult league and [if you don’t take your chances] you get punished at the other end. I think last season we were firing on all cylinders, but we’re not at the moment. We’re creating the chances, but taking them is one of the hardest things. We’re plugging away at it.” 

Despite the recent run of form, the message from the management and the players has been upbeat as they try to get back to the sort of form that saw them beat Manchester United and Stoke City earlier in the campaign. 

Shakespeare added: “We won’t get too down. We’re disappointed, but we won’t get too down the same as we didn’t get too high after we beat Manchester United. In football and in life you have to be positive. We as staff have to be positive with the players. 

“We’ve said before that they’re a good group to work with. We haven’t got the results that we wanted and some of the performances have been indifferent, but we need to put that right. You have to roll your sleeves up and come out fighting.”