Anthony Knockaert reveals he lost sleep over red card

The Albion winger sweated his way through the defeat by Cardiff as he watched from the stand.

And he lost sleep as he feared he could have cost his beloved club their Premier League status.

Now he is back from a three-match ban and believes they will stay up, helped by a hard-earned point against Newcastle.

He has thanked family members for helping him through a testing time.

Knockaert missed the home game against Cardiff and then trips to Wolves and Tottenham after being sent off against the Cherries.

He came off the bench against Newcastle and provided the cross from which Glenn Murray probably should have killed off any relegation fears.

Knockaert opened up after winning Albion’s goal of the season prize for his winner at Crystal Palace.

That special strike also secured him the Premier League goal of the month prize at the start of a rollercoaster 24 hours which ended with his straight red against the Cherries.

He told the Argus: “The last two weeks have been really tough for me and I’ve been feeling very down, not being able to help the team at such an important stage of the season.

“It began to feel like if the team were to go down I would have played a big part in it and that it was my fault. That would have been sad because I always give my best and do everything for this club.

“But the point against Newcastle on Saturday gave us all a confidence boost and it could be the little push we needed to get us over the line now.

“We deserve it because this club belongs in the Premier League.”

Knockaert was a helpless spectator on the evening Cardiff won at the Amex to close the gap on the Seagulls to two points.

He said: “After the Cardiff City game, it was difficult, I really struggled.

“I was at the stadium to support the team, but I was really nervous watching on.

“I was sweating – like proper sweating.

“I went home and I didn’t sleep much that night after the game, I promise you.

“The whole night, I couldn’t sleep.

“I was up at three o’clock in the morning thinking, ‘Oh my God, what’s going on here?’.

“Obviously I care so much about this club, I care so much for the people.

“I know what they have done for me, I know what I’ve been through.

“They have always been here for me.

“When I came here in the first year, everything was normal until my dad passed away and since then they have been incredible to me.

“It’s a real family club and I will remember that for the rest of my life.

“If I have to leave, I will keep this club as the main club in my life.

“I will not find a better club, that’s for sure. I’m ready to say it now, even if I sign somewhere else one day.

“For all they did for me, I would not be scared to say even ten years later that this club would be the main one in my life.

“They’ve done so much for me. It will always remain a great club and a family club. They did everything they could to make me happy.”

Knockaert, who lost his father to cancer during the promotion season, has looked to his family for support during testing times.

He said: “My family talked to me a lot recently, especially my uncle who’s like a second dad to me, and my brother.

“We talk every day together and my family know me better than anyone, I can talk to them about anything. They know I will always tell them the truth. They told me to keep my head up and keep working hard.

“They’ve always believed in me and that’s what they’re for.

“It’s been a tough time over the last few weeks.”

Knockaert said he will review his tackling technique after the Bournemouth red – and try to stay on his feet.

The winger would love to give fans something to cheer in the final away game.

He said: “It’s been a really tough season but, if you look back at the last campaign, it’s pretty much exactly the same in terms of still having survival to seal with a few matches left.

“We were in exactly the same position last year, we’ve done it in reverse though. Last year we didn’t start well and improved whereas this campaign we started really well up until December and then it got tough.

“It has been tough for the fans but what we need to realise is that it’s always difficult in this division.

“We all want to do well, and we know what we have to do to improve and get out of this situation, but it’s not easy.

“Fans pay a lot of money to come and see us play and take trains across the country, getting to the matches in whatever way they can.

“It’s a big effort and they put everything into it.

“I respect that so much. If I’m honest, I probably wouldn’t be able to be a fan like that so I understand.

“We all suffer when we struggle but we’re all determined to turn it around and end the season well.”