Mowbray sees home form as key to West Brom survival
West Bromwich Albion’s dismal away record may not give many hope that they can snatch a result against a resurgent West Ham United tonight at the Boleyn Ground tonight but manager Tony Mowbray insists his side still strongly believe they can drag themselves out of the mire.
Albion go into tonight’s game seven points from safety but they have over a quarter of the season still to go and after facing the Hammers, they have winnable back-to-back home games against Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City to come.
Anything from this evening’s live televised clash will be a bonus and Albion’s fate will surely be sealed one way or another by how they perform on home soil.
“When you look at the next four games, West Ham apart because they are pushing for a European spot, we are going into a run of games against the likes of Bolton and Stoke at home, and then Portsmouth away, where we can genuinely believe that if we get it right on the day we can accrue enough points to give ourselves a chance to get back into the pack and make life uncomfortable for the teams around us,” Mowbray said.
“I don’t see any signs that belief is a problem. We still have a quarter of the season to go.
“The last two years we have been winning lots of games and taking the plaudits and now we have come into the Premier League and the boot is on the other foot. We find life difficult with the quality we play against and yet you have to keep going and rebounding from the disappointment of defeats.
“We have to keep believing and I think the team do. I see that on the training ground every day.
“The team I have now compared to what I inherited is a hugely more focused and disciplined squad, more ready to face the challenges that lay in front of us.”
What will give Albion added belief is the return to fitness of several key players. Their enforced break last weekend has allowed players returning from injury, like captain Jonathan Greening and striker Jay Simpson, chance to rebuild their fitness, and key defender Jonas Olsson and Roman Bednar are ready to play through the pain to help the cause.
Olsson has just recovered from tendonitis of the knee and has had just 45 minutes in the reserves, while Bednar has a back injury but is ready to play.
Mowbray believes their attitude reflects the team spirit that exists within his squad and flies in the face of detractors who claim his side were not up for the fight.
“Jonas and Roman have a chance of being involved,” Mowbray said.
“I think apart from Ishmael Miller and Neil Clement, everyone is ready to go and play. I think that is a sign that the players are still ready to stand up and be counted.
“I have been at football clubs in the past where you are bottom of the league or are struggling and the treatment room is full. The little niggles become long niggles because you don’t really want to get out there. If you have half an excuse sometimes it can become a bigger excuse.
“I generally believe they are all behind the cause and want to help us. They are a great bunch of lads and I feel we have a good group of hard working professionals who are giving it their best shot.”
