Saido Berahino: no need for me to explain not celebrating West Brom goals

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/04/west-brom-gateshead-fa-cup-match-report

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Saido Berahino refused to explain why he had refrained from celebrating his four goals against Gateshead on Saturday, adding to the uncertainty over his future at West Bromwich Albion in what was otherwise the best possible start to Tony Pulis’s reign in charge.

The England Under-21 striker scored three of four goals in 11 minutes either side of half-time to put an end to Gateshead’s hopes after a bright start but not only did he fail to smile at any of the goals; he also eschewed the opportunity afterwards to reach out to happy Albion fans.

“I was just handling business and acting professionally and that’s it,” said the 21-year-old, reportedly a £20m target for Liverpool. “There’s no need for me to explain myself on not celebrating goals. It is what it is.”

After a strong start to the season, which included a run of six goals in five games, Berahino had failed to score in 11 matches after being arrested for suspected drink-driving in October. But he marked Pulis’s arrival with the equalising goal away to West Ham United on New Year’s Day, 48 hours before Saturday’s spectacular contribution, which took his tally for the season in all competitions to 13. However, his efforts were somewhat besmirched by what appeared a sullen reaction.

Perhaps he thought goals against a Conference team should be easy to come by; maybe he is sulking at reports that he is to be sold to the highest bidder to fund West Brom’s squad rebuilding. He could be concerned about the club’s reluctance to continue negotiations over a new contract. Or perhaps he simply wants to be loved, like most strikers.

But the club’s prize asset preferred not to say, leaving a question mark over what was generally a full-on statement of intent if he is seeking to buy in to Pulis’s bright and breezy recharge since last week’s dismissal of Alan Irvine.

Berahino lost his place under the previous head coach, Alan Irvine, as, when he is not scoring, the skilful young striker does not contribute much. He said: “I didn’t understand [being dropped] at all but it was his choice and he had the right to do whatever he wanted to do for the team. He picked the team and I just had to get on with it and act professionally.

“I have definitely started the year well so it’s all good. [Pulis] has been great. He’s come in and we all know he’s a big character in the game. He’s stamped his authority already.”

“All the lads are up for working for him and we’re behind him 100%. He’s come in and made it clear that the team is the most important thing and as you could see on Saturday we played professionally and won the game comfortably.”

Berahino claimed he was ignoring transfer speculation. “I’m a West Bromwich Albion player and I’ve just got to perform for them and try to get as many goals as I can and contribute to wins,” he said. “Newspapers have said bad things about me so I’m not really fussed what they have to say about where I’m going or what will happen.”

Gateshead had been the better team until Berahino scored his first, after which Victor Anichebe, Chris Brunt and James Morrison also shared in the goalscoring fun. Pulis has funds to invest in what he accepts will be a crucial transfer window, as West Brom seek to avoid relegation, and he could bring in Robert Huth, the Stoke City defender, and Aaron Lennon, the Tottenham Hotspur winger, while a target man could help get the best out of Berahino.

But while Pulis has left all options open and is looking forward to working with Berahino on the training ground while admitting that a big club with a big bid would be heard. There was almost a glint of anticipation in his eye when it was put to him that the striker might have a few problems off the pitch.

After all, when you have dealt with Matthew Etherington’s recovery from gambling addiction, Ricardo Fuller’s time-keeping, Jermaine Pennant’s £400 parking fines (for leaving his car in Spain while he flew to England to sign for Stoke), James Beattie’s Christmas party ultimatum and Kenwyne Jones’s car-window-smashing reaction to finding a pig’s head in his locker, a manager tends to relish a man-management challenge.

Pulis endured during his time in leading Stoke into Europe so, after witnessing Berahino’s contribution, he was not about to quake at what might lie ahead in his attempt to make the most of the club’s prize asset.

“I have dealt with a lot of players who were different in lots of respects. I have had players turn up late – and had players not turn up at times. I have had players do things that would make your hair curl. But I have dealt with it and that is what management is about.”

Man of the match Saido Berahino

(West Bromwich Albion)