Saido Berahino gets pep talk from West Brom's Darren Fletcher
Monday 14 September 2015 08:39, UK
West Brom skipper Darren Fletcher has talked with Saido Berahino to aid the striker's return to the fold following his ill-judged transfer deadline day tweet.
The Baggies captain revealed he has spoken to the forward after Berahino threatened to strike when a deadline day move to Tottenham was blocked.
Having been left out of their previous three games, Berahino returned to the Albion team as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southampton.
In his tweet, Berahino threatened to never play again for club chairman Jeremy Peace after the Baggies rejected Spurs' deadline day offers.
"I have had a word to him and we'll keep that private and the lads have given him a bit of stick," said the bformer Manchester United midfielder.
"Sometimes that's the best way because it takes away the tension. Somebody comes in and has a little bit of a go at him and a little bit of banter and I'm sure he feels like one of the lads again, which he very much is.
"I think a couple of the older lads have maybe tried to help him but there has not been anyone having a go.
"All you can do is do your best and speak to him. He might not take on board everything you say but if he only takes on board a little bit and it makes him stop and think for a little bit then I've done my job."
But Fletcher admitted he did not understand why Berahino took to Twitter to vent his frustration on deadline day.
"You try to speak to him and tell him a certain way to do things but it's about emotions really," added the 31-year-old.
"People are emotional and you do silly things and when you're on Twitter it is there and you can voice your opinions.
"If he had sat quietly for 48 hours he wouldn't have done it, but it's just emotions at the time."
