Evans denies poor form is linked to the Barcelona incident
Thursday 22 March 2018 07:55, UK
Jonny Evans has revealed some West Brom players cried following their defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, but denies relegation is a foregone conclusion.
The Baggies suffered a crushing 2-1 defeat to the Cherries, having led going into the final 13 minutes, but Junior Stanislas' late winner left Alan Pardew's side 10 points from safety with only seven games remaining.
West Brom have now lost seven successive Premier League games and have won just once in the league since August, yet Evans maintains the squad have not accepted their fate is already sealed.
"I think there is hope," said Evans. "Even after the Bournemouth game there was real disappointment in the changing room. It's not like we have got to the point where we have accepted relegation.
"A lot of people have been writing us off. I understand with the position we are in it will be very difficult to get out of.
"There were a few tears after the game at the weekend because going into that game there was a lot of hope and optimism that we would get something from it and try to turn the season around even at this late stage. We were upset.
"We were ahead and then the game swung in the last 15 minutes and I think it has been the story of our season. It's hard to take sometimes.
"Mathematically, though, we still have hope and we keep going until it is mathematically not possible. We owe that to ourselves and the fans to do that. That's what we will continue to do that."
Evans was stripped of the captaincy after being one of four players who broke a curfew during a mid-season trip to Barcelona.
The Baggies have not won since, but Evans insists their poor form is not related to the incident.
"I don't think it has reflected anything on the pitch," he said. "People try and relate things that aren't always relatable but before we went to Barcelona and before the manager arranged the trip I think we were bottom of the league.
"Our performances throughout the season haven't been up to scratch. We haven't got enough points on board.
"It is very difficult. Sometimes it is important to keep your head and stay focused on your job on the pitch.
"We have quite a settled changing room and harmonious dressing room and we are all very friendly with each other. That has been a big positive for us. The place isn't completely crumbling like things have been reported on the outside."