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Elliot - 'We Go Again'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Goalkeeper Rob Elliot believes Newcastle must take heart from their performance against Everton when they travel to West Bromwich Albion on Monday
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
West Bromwich Albion are without a win in their last five Barclays Premier League outings, but Rob Elliot believes that the Hawthorns is still one of the most difficult grounds to visit as an away side.
However, the Newcastle United goalkeeper is targeting all three points when Steve McClaren's side travel to the West Midlands on Monday (kick-off 3pm).
A repeat of last season's victory in this fixture would see the Magpies go level on points with the Baggies, who are currently in 13th place, and Elliot insists that Newcastle will be spurred on by their late loss to Everton on Boxing Day.
What looked to be a hard-fought point was snatched from United's grasp by Tom Cleverley's 93rd-minute header, so Newcastle will be keen to make amends against Tony Pulis' men.
"It's always a big physical test there," Elliot told nufcTV. "They get the ball in the box and they really test you from set pieces, so we're going to have to be big and strong and stand up to it.
"It's going to be a tough away day - it's one of the toughest places to go. They've still got a lot of quality.
"But it's a game we want to go and get points from because of (Boxing Day) and hopefully we can go there and maybe get the points that we deserved (on Saturday)."
Two games in the space of three days provide Newcastle with an almost immediate opportunity to move on from Saturday's disappointment.
But Elliot has mixed feelings about the hectic festive schedule, which also includes a trip to Arsenal on 2nd January.
"I don't agree with the turnaround of games," said the former Charlton Athletic keeper. "I think it's a strange one in such a short space of time, but I think in this situation it's good.
"We'll get out there and hopefully put it right against West Brom, maybe get a bit of luck that we deserve and hopefully, if we can put that performance in like we did against a team like Everton, go to West Brom and try and get a good result.
"It's not as bad being a keeper - you don't do the running that the guys do - but with the defeat (to Everton) as well, it makes your legs feel a bit heavier. So we need to make sure we get over that.
"We've got to make sure we get it right for Monday."
You can watch the full nufcTV interview with Rob Elliot here