Survival is the B-all and end-all for Foster

ALBION goalkeeper Ben Foster thinks the likes of Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle dropping down to the Championship is evidence of how tough the Premier League is.

Villa were relegated in 2016 while Sunderland were consigned to second-tier football at the end of last season.

Newcastle have since returned to the top flight after bouncing back at the first attempt.

Albion’s poor form brought the end of Tony Pulis’ reign as manager and Foster reckons simply remaining in the division is an achievement.

“Away from the top six, I can promise you, just staying in the league is an achievement,” he said.

“You look at the size of some of the clubs that have been relegated in the last few years, the likes of Villa, Sunderland, even Newcastle, it just shows how tough it is to just stay up.

“Then at the other end, the competition to win it or qualify for the Champions League is cut-throat too so, by its very nature, the Premier League is exhausting.’’

While football at the elite level now leaves even less margin for error, the same can be said for the role of each player on the pitch.

Foster says the challenges facing keepers are different – with a focus on playing short out to defence and retaining possession in recent years.

“Goalkeeping has certainly changed a bit – there was none of that playing out from the back when I was on loan under Aidy Boothroyd at Watford,” said the 34-year-old keeper.

“Every situation is different, you don’t want to put yourself under pressure on the ball near goal, and you don’t want to do that to defenders either.

“I don’t want to be a playmaker! Leave that to the footballers!”