Pascal-Gross-Player

Pascal Gross's footballing story in England is also Albion's Premier League story – to a large extent. And he gave us a little reminder of that as he thought he had secured a piece of history on Sunday. The German midfielder advanced into a dangerous area as in days of old, found space, took the ball on the half turn and saw he had a decent passing option to his right. Using that runner as a decoy, he took the more daring option, backed his technique and sent the most crisp of low, right-foot shots across the dive of an England goalkeeper and unerringly into the bottom left corner in front of the North Stand. It should have been the moment which secured Albion’s best ever points tally in the Prem. Or at least gave them a 3-2 lead over Southampton going into the final minutes. Instead, an old-fashioned offside flag went up. Then VAR, something which did not exist when Gross first came our way, confirmed a very tight – did someone say incorrect? - offside decision. Had it stood, Albion’s latest Prem win could have been secured with a goal just like one we saw in their first. On that occasion, it was the second goal of the match to open a 2-0 lead in the 3-1 win over West Brom. (Gross, of course, had scored the opening goal after Chris Hughton’s men had to wait almost three-and-a-half games to get off the mark). Back then, he drilled the ball past Ben Foster, this time it was Fraser Forster. The similarity of the strikes did not go unnoticed. Lewis Dunk remarked on it as he and Gross headed out of the changing rooms and towards the player interview area after Sunday’s game. The Albion No.13 told The Argus: “Dunky just said the same – he remembered West Brom. “I saw it for a couple of seconds. “That was why I celebrated. It would have been nice but it’s ups and downs. “Great for a second or two, then after disappointed obviously.” Gross came in as Albion’s goalscoring No.10, playing just off Glenn Murray or Tomer Hemed in Hughton’s 4-4-1-1 set-up. He has added versatility since then as reflected of late, working out wide or a long way forward helping lead the press. Against Southampton, he went on at right wing-back as Albion changed shape having seen a 2-0 lead slip away but that did not last long. He said: “I came on as a right wing-back, then the gaffer made a slight adjustment so I went into midfield. “I don’t mind. I play where I am needed. ”I think we played really well in the first half. “Just before half-time we conceded a goal and that is always not a great moment. “After half-time we struggled a little bit. “Solly (March) and me came on and as subs you just try to help your team. “There are always different types of game and different stages. “You just try to have an impact and help the team.” Around the time of Albion’s entry into the FA Cup in January, there were questions in Graham Potter’s press conferences as to how much of a part Gross still had in the league. He had played just a minor role in the previous two months or so. But he has stepped up a level since then. Been out there in most of the best moments. Very often (though not always) these days, a curious, unexplained absence or dip in form can be for a reason which did not exist until two years ago and information about which is not readily divulged. PASCAL GROSS SAYS BRIGHTON HAVE BIG FUTURE Gross revealed: “I had Covid twice this season, in the first half and it didn’t help, obviously. “But I am always a part of the team and I try to play as much as I can. “Try to play as well as I can so that the gaffer has to pick me. “I try to make it hard for him like every player does.” Asked how Covid affected him, he said: “It’s just you are out for ten days at least and then you need to rebuild a little bit. “It’s not great during a season, like other players have little injuries. That doesn’t help. “I’m fit and I just try to help the team when I am needed. “It’s not that big a deal but many players have it. “That’s just the times we live in.”