Gareth McAuley calls on Albion to get it right
Defender Gareth McAuley has described Saturday's game with Sunderland as a chance for stumbling Albion to 'put things right'.
The centre-back reckons the visit of the Black Cats is 'massive' for Tony Pulis' side, as they look to halt a run of three straight defeats and lift the spirits of an increasingly-frustrated fanbase.
Back at The Hawthorns having helped Northern Ireland make history by reaching Euro 2016, McAuley insists his focus is now firmly back on the Baggies.
"What we did last week has gone," he said. "I'm back here now, back on the training pitch, hoping to get a positive result.
"This is a massive game for us and we'll be looking to put things right after two poor results and performances we weren't happy about."
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After defeat in the Capital One Cup at Norwich, back-to-back losses to Everton and Crystal Palace has led supporters to criticise Pulis' perceived negative tactics.
McAuley, together with Northern Ireland team-mates Chris Brunt and Jonny Evans, has returned to the club in high spirits following his international exploits.
The trio played a key role in securing the country's first qualification for a major tournament in 30 years, clinched with a 3-1 win over Greece last Thursday. McAuley admitted it had been quite a week.
"It's been an incredible week," he said. "It's still difficult to find the right words. Probably 'emotional' is the best way to describe it.
"It's still a bit of a blur – you see pictures....and what an achievement it was for the lads to get through, the courage they showed, to play the way we did, and under pressure too."
Claims Albion have agreed to reconsider Saido Berahino's position next summer are meanwhile understood to be off the mark.
Reports yesterday suggested the club and striker, whose future is expected to come under further scrutiny in January, had reached a compromise which would see him remain for the season. But it is understood no such deal has been discussed.
