Alnwick post-WBA | Everyone dug in for the team
Jak Alnwick spoke to the press to reflect on claiming a point against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon.
City extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a draw at The Hawthorns, with Alnwick recording a fourth clean sheet in five.
"It’s a brilliant point. The clean sheet is another one to add to the collection at the minute. It was almost the perfect away performance. They’re high in the table, although they’ve not been on a good run, we know they’re a good side. To come here and get a point, you would take it, but we had a couple of chances at the end - if you score those chances, it’s a perfect away day.
"We find it easier defending knowing that if we do concede, we’re going to go and score a goal. Albeit today we didn’t, but we know we’ve always got them players at the top end of the pitch that are going to hurt teams. Today, we had a couple of good chances, but it almost takes the pressure off us defensively knowing that, like against Plymouth and Portsmouth, we can score goals and create a lot of chances."
In the draw against the Baggies, as well as in the wins over Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth, Omer Riza named the same starting XI, but all three performances had huge contributions from substitutes.
Jak continued: "The lads that are out there are amazing, but the lads that aren’t playing are amazing as well. The stuff they’re doing behind the scenes, the way they’re training; you like a settled back four, but Jesper [Daland] and Will [Fish] are pushing the lads to stay in the team. It’s the same with every position - we know that if we don’t perform, there are lads that are chomping at the bit to get into the team.
"We’ve got good camaraderie in the dressing room. You see players like Chris Willock come on and defend, which isn’t typically a big part of his game, Wilfried [Kanga] defending from the front, they have rolled their sleeves up and dug in for the team. Credit to all the lads. I made a few saves, but everything from the lads was second to none.
Up next is a home clash with Norwich City next Saturday at Cardiff City Stadium, with the Bluebirds heading into the contest in positive form.
“We’ve got confidence," Jak added. "We’ve been on a good run, but we know that we need to go again. Norwich will be no different, they’re a good side. This week has been difficult, we’ve got a few tired bodies, but we’ll rest, recover and go again for a big game next weekend.”