Albion will be playing Championship football next season, but whether that involves Kanu remains to be seen. The former Arsenal striker's contact contains a clause, which means either party can exercise the right to leave, and discussions are planned for early next week. If Monday night's defeat against West Ham was the last time Albion supporters will see Kanu in action then he will have left them with some stunning memories. His one-man demolition show of Tottenham in December was a sight to behold as was his wonder goal and performance in the victory over Arsenal in October. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke to Kanu and found him in upbeat mood despite an uncertain future.
Q:WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FINAL PREMIERSHIP HOME DEFEAT AGAINST WEST HAM?
A:I think we played better football and if we had done this all season we could have won more games and stayed up. There were two definite penalties on me and I don't know why the ref didn't give them.
Q:WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE SEASON IN GENERAL NOW THAT RELEGATION HAS BEEN CONFIRMED?
A:It has been disappointing and if you go down then no-one is happy. The fans aren't happy and the players aren't happy. There are no excuses we can give now except to move on.
Q:WHAT ABOUT YOUR OWN FUTURE NEXT SEASON?
A:I have to talk it over with the club and decide what to do. It is joint decision between the club and myself. If we come to a compromise then we will see and I will wait until after the last game and then sit down and talk. I think a decision will be made after the last game at Everton, as right now I want to concentrate on playing.
Q:WHY DO YOU THINK THE TEAM WAS RELEGATED?
A:In this league you don't have to concede goals easily and we have to keep clean sheets. If you keep clean sheets then no matter what happens you get points. That is what you need in this game. If you make any mistakes you get punished and that is what has been happening to us. If you play in a game and you keep conceding then it is difficult.
Q:IT LOOKS AS THOUGH BRYAN ROBSON WILL BE THE MANAGER AGAIN NEXT SEASON – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?
A:As players we are happy that the manager might be staying, but it isn't our decision it is the decision of the club. I have worked with him for two years and know how to respond to his words. He is a good trainer but it isn't my decision.
Q:THE ONUS WILL FALL ON NATHAN ELLINGTON TO SCORE A LOT OF GAOLS NEXT SEASON NOW WON'T IT?
A:Nathan Ellington is the best striker in this team. What he needs is to keep playing every game and that will come out. We need to give him the ball as you can see what he is going to do. It can be difficult for him, but if you come to training and see what he comes up with then no-one can doubt that he is the best striker at this football club.
Q:HAS HE BEEN SHORT OF CONFIDENCE?
A:The team has to give him confidence. He has confidence but the rest of the team have to give him confidence and feed him the ball and let him do what he knows what to do. That comes from the manager as well as you have to support him. He can shoot, he can dribble and he can score with his head. Whatever you want a striker to do he does and he scores goals. He does the same in training and in games we have to use him. If you know your teammates' strengths you have to use them. When he plays with me I always like to give him the ball, as I know what he can do.
