Anthony Knockaert would argue that the renowned American author Mark Twain's line about lies, damned lies and statistics applies to the French winger's contrasting fortunes in the Premier League and Championship.

The figures are indeed damning. One goal, in the home draw against Everton in October, and one assist in 16 Premier League appearances.

They compare unfavourably with 15 goals and eight assists in 45 outings last season when Knockaert, Albion's promotion talisman, was named player of the year in the second tier.

The Argus: Knockaert (above) left Leicester for Standard Liege in Belgium, frustrated by a lack of Premier League opportunities, after helping them up.

He is in a much better frame of mind this time in the top flight, despite his omission from the squad for last Saturday's defeat at Huddersfield.

He points to valid reasons why the less flattering stats tell lies about his contribution to Albion's efforts to survive.

An ankle injury suffered in the opening pre-season friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf in Austria, combined with Chris Hughton's slightly more cautious approach to cope with the rise in level and a higher quality opposition, have been instrumental in Knockaert's restricted impact in the final third of the pitch.

Speaking exclusively to the Argus, the 26-year-old from Roubaix, said: "I had a tough start because I was injured. It wasn't easy to come back, because I was still in pain for a few weeks.

"As soon as I felt right I think personally I did well.

"It's true my stats are not as good as they were last year but everyone knows I am working really hard defensively, so it's really hard to find the balance, to work really hard going forward as well.

"I do a lot defensively for the team. I do what the manager wants and I respect that a lot. I try to do the best for my team-mates.

"That's why I never gave myself a goal, because I know every season can be different. Obviously, it's the top level now and if you want to get results you have to work hard for the team.

"If we stay up this year and I've only scored one goal I will be happy, more happy than if I score ten goals and we go down.

"I try to work hard and do what the manager wants. I hope to get a few more goals but we don't attack as much as we did last year.

"It's another level, we don't approach the game like we did last year, so it's a bit harder to. The most important thing is to reach our goal and if we do that I'll be happy at the end of the season."

Hughton has tweaked the system from 4-4-2 in the Championship to more of a 4-4-1-1 in the Premier League following the summer signing of German number ten Pascal Gross (below).

The Argus: Better opposition, individually and collectively, also means less possession and fewer opportunities for Knockaert to shine.

He said: "It's harder but it's our first season as well. We have to defend a lot more and we can't play the way we were playing last year.

"That is why it is so vital to stay in the League, because then next year we will have more confidence to approach the games and we will be better and better.

"It's always the hardest season when you get promoted. That's why we are trying to stay up and next season I think is going to be easier and better for us."

To become established and develop, Albion need more victories, especially at the Amex where only Manchester City and Liverpool have won but only West Brom and Newcastle have lost.

"Our form has been a bit bad recently in terms of results," Knockaert said. "It's been about the fixtures as well. We've had a few tough games.

"All we wanted to do is win our games at home. It wasn't to be, because we drew four at home."

Albion have a double chance to make amends for deadlocks against Everton, Southampton, Stoke and Crystal Palace. They face Sean Dyche's Burnley today and his old club Watford at the Amex next Saturday before a daunting Boxing Day test against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Knockaert said: "Now we have two home games and we want to make the best of it, get two wins.

"We have still done well at home. We could have done with a few more wins but it's still a good home record for our first season in the Prem.

"Against the teams where you want us to win and expect us to win it wasn't to be every time. The next two games will be vital for us, then we will have an idea of where we are going to be in the League."