West Bromwich Albion manager Eric Ramsay has issued a defiant message regarding his team's future, steadfastly refusing to entertain thoughts of relegation despite a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Norwich City in the Championship. The comprehensive loss at The Hawthorns marked a new low for Albion, yet Ramsay remains focused on turning their fortunes around.
A Devastating Defeat at The Hawthorns
The match saw Norwich City dominate from the outset, with Oscar Schwartau opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a spectacular 25-yard strike that found the bottom corner. After the break, the visitors continued their onslaught, with goals from Ali Ahmed in the 49th minute, Anis Ben Slimane in the 69th, Ben Chrisene in the 73rd, and Mathias Kvistgaarden in the 90th minute sealing a resounding victory.
Ramsay's Reaction to the Setback
Despite the heavy defeat, which represents West Brom's worst second-tier result since a 6-0 loss to Sheffield United in February 2000, Ramsay was quick to dismiss any suggestions that his side is embroiled in a relegation battle. "I genuinely do not think about that (relegation). It's not something I would weigh into the way I evaluate games," he insisted in his post-match comments.
Ramsay acknowledged the team's current struggles, having won only twice in their last ten matches and now sitting just three points above the relegation zone. However, he emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. "We have to recognise where we are and be humble. But the second we start to think like that it becomes a waste of our time," he added, highlighting his belief in the squad's resilience.
Norwich City's Impressive Performance
On the other side, Norwich City's triumph was a testament to their improving form, marking their fifth victory in eight outings. Head coach Philippe Clement expressed his satisfaction with the performance, particularly praising the team's defensive solidity and attacking prowess. "I was really pleased with the performance. There were several really good things – a clean sheet and we haven't had many of those this season, and that's a target," Clement remarked.
He also noted the team's progress in creating scoring opportunities from various sources, reducing their reliance on strikers. "Scoring five goals away from home is an important thing. We spoke a few weeks ago about being too dependent on our strikers so we need to create a team where the danger is coming from everywhere, so that's getting better and better," he explained.
Looking Ahead for West Brom
As West Brom faces a critical period in the Championship season, Ramsay's focus remains on addressing the team's vulnerabilities. "There's no lack of care or desperation to win, but there's a fragility that comes with everything that has led up to this point. We have to find a way to ensure that it doesn't affect games in the way it did tonight," he stated, underscoring the need for mental strength and tactical adjustments.
With the defeat extending Albion's miserable run to four consecutive losses, the pressure is mounting. However, Ramsay's defiant stance suggests a determination to steer the team away from the relegation zone and towards a more stable position in the league table.
