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.
Pascal Gross said: “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.
Pascal Gross 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.
Pascal 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,
Pascal Gross 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.”
