West Bromwich Albion defender Cristian Gamboa revealed he has fulfilled one ambition by making his Premier League debut – and now wants to make real another dream later this month.
The Costa Rica international was one of Albion’s best players in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool , a result that ended a run of three consecutive wins.
However, Gamboa hopes it was very much the start of something – a long Baggies career in which he promises to continue the buccaneering style which persuaded Alan Irvine to bring him to The Hawthorns after the World Cup.
And having made his first league start at one of the most famous grounds in the world, he is targeting a full home top-flight debut on Monday week.
“It was really nice, especially because it came at Anfield, so for me it was a dream come true,” Gamboa said. “Over the years I have seen a lot of players playing there.
“We didn’t get the right result but we still played good football, and in football you always get the chance to bounce back so hopefully we can win against Manchester United.
“(On Saturday) I tried to do what the club bought me for, I hope the fans enjoyed it.
“The result wasn’t good but we played good football and sometimes it’s like that. Sometimes you play good football and lose, but football always pays you back.
“Playing against Manchester United would be another dream I’ve had since I was a kid so hopefully I can play.”
To do that he will have to convince Irvine to pick him ahead of on-loan full-back Andre Wisdom, who was not allowed to play against his parent club last weekend.
The Liverpool man will be back to face United on October 20, giving Irvine a difficult selection conundrum.
But Gamboa welcomes the competition: “It’s good. It’s a good battle and it’s healthy that we have this battle. It’s good to have someone there fighting with you for the spot.
“We have good right-backs and the final decision is down to the coach.
“It’s difficult because Andre played in the first few games in the Premier League and I enjoyed myself on Saturday.
“I will keep fighting for the spot and hoping I’ve done enough but the coach will have the final say.”
While the 24-year-old has impressed in coming off the bench against Burnley and starting at Anfield, he has perhaps been slightly fortunate to be trying to make his mark in a team far more at ease with itself than was the case a month ago.
With a clear pattern of play emerging and results improving with performances, the former Rosenborg defender has timed his run well.
“In the first few games after the pre-season it was a little bit difficult,” he admitted.
“But then we started to win. We got one win and then it brought a couple more with the League Cup.
“The team are starting to get used to the way we play and we have a lot of new players, so right now it’s different.
“We know each other now so hopefully we will keep going up in the table and we will be fighting for every position.
“It is a good club and the people here trust me. It’s nice to be here playing for West Brom and hopefully I can be here for a few years.”
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