West Ham United midfielder Martin Samuelsen has been on loan at Burton Albion from the Hammers since January, and has said that he enjoyed his spell at the Brewers despite suffering relegation from the Sky Bet Championship.
Nigel Clough’s side almost pulled off the great escape, but defeat at Preston North End on the final day of the season condemned them to the drop, meaning they will return back to the third tier after two years in the Championship.
Despite relegation, it was not all doom and gloom for Samuelsen, who appeared nine times during his spell at the Pirelli Stadium.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he was extremely positive about what the future holds for the recently relegated side.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed my time here but it’s a shame it ended with relegation. I’m very sad for the club. They should have been playing Championship football next season. Everyone within this club and many people outside it will agree with me on that one.”
“But I have great belief that they can go straight back up again. I know all the players and the staff – if they keep all those people they can go straight back up.”
Samuelsen will now return to West Ham United and try to fight for his way into their first team, but he had a parting message for the Burton Albion fans.
“From the first minute to the last they were cheering us. When the final whistle went and we knew that we were relegated they still applauded,” he said.
“The players applauded back so it’s that special connection between the fans and players, and I think that’s key for a team to get that extra edge. As a player it’s really, really assuring to have the fans behind you and giving you that extra boost.”
