Verbruggen: It's been a fun ride and I can still improve

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Keeper reflects on his return to the team which drew 1-1 at Everton on Saturday.

Bruce Talbot

2023-11-06T06:00:00Z

Bart Verbruggen makes a save in the first half at Goodison Park on his return to the starting line-up.

Bart Verbruggen was pleased Albion’s efforts at Goodison Park didn’t go unrewarded.

Albion equalised late on when Kaoru Mitoma’s cross went in off Ashley Young but Verbruggen, who returned to the side for the first time since the 2-2 draw against Liverpool, felt it was luck they deserved.

“Unfortunately we’ve had too many unlucky deflections this season already,” he said. "So it felt extra good to have scored from one on Saturday.

“For their goal I saved the first shot and he (Vitalii Mykolenko) shot again and it took a deflection off Lewis [Dunk], who did so well to throw his body in front of the ball. Everton is not an easy place to go and as a team we showed great fight. And of course I enjoyed being out there with the guys.”

Verbruggen had little else to do in the 1-1 draw as Albion enjoyed 80% possession, although he did impose himself after the equaliser when Everton pushed more men forward and got plenty of balls into the box.

“You just keep telling yourself that your team is going to need you for one or two big moments, so that I would be ready when the moment comes,” he added.

Verbruggen, 21, has now made six appearances since joining in the summer and says it’s been ‘a fun ride’ but that the job of improving as a keeper is ongoing.

“It’s a process, I know I have enough to improve still,” he added. “It’s been a fun ride so far and I am looking forward to the future.

“The Premier League is the best in the world. Everything is a bit quicker and a bit stronger. I think everyone who comes new into this league needs to improve in every aspect of their game. I think I’ve done that over the four months that I have been here and I’ll keep trying.”