Graham Dorrans looking to play his part in Albion's survival fight
Mar 19 2009 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Young Scot Graham Dorrans is hoping his excellent full Premier League debut at West Ham United on Monday night has convinced West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray to give him another start in the must-win clash against Bolton Wanderers at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who joined Albion from Scottish Division One side Livingston for £100,000 last July, was given the nod ahead of the club’s record signing Borja Valero after impressing Mowbray in the recent reserve league game against Stoke City and during training.
Dorrans was given his first taste of Premier League football as a substitute against Manchester City in December but his first start was a precious moment and he intends to make the most of the opportunity.
“I was doing some stuff during training when the gaffer pulled me aside and said that he’d watched me in the reserves and was thinking of starting me,” said Dorrans.
“We did some team-shape work on Thursday and Friday, which I was involved in so I knew I’d be playing.
“I was really pleased. It was a massive game for me. Coming from the Scottish First Division to now playing in the Premier League is massive really.
“I played in the reserves, worked really hard and thankfully it’s all paid off.
“I had a few nerves but after the first ten or 15 minutes I settled down. I am hoping it will keep me in the team.”
Now Dorrans has had a taste of life in the Premier League, he does not want to drop down to the Championship with Albion and he hopes their encouraging performance against the Hammers will act as a catalyst during the remaining nine games.
“The 13-day wait between this and our last game was tough,” Dorrans said.
“We were dying for another game and we’re confident we can get some good results.
“We could have got a win. We came out fighting and we’re disappointed not to take all the points. West Ham are quality and pushing for a Uefa Cup place but we matched them all the way.
“We have to get wins in our home games. If we can get wins in our next two games then we can hopefully draw level with some of the teams above us.
“That game was phase one of that really. A point isn’t a bad result and we have to consider this to be the start of the survival run. The boys are in good spirits and looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Despite leaving Valero out in the last two games, Mowbray insists the Spaniard still has a bright future at Albion.
The Baggies boss revealed he decided to rest the £4.7 million summer signing from Real Mallorca because he sensed the 24-year-old had lost confidence.
“I have got great confidence and faith in Borja Valero,” said Mowbray.
“For me he is a top footballer. I think he is a top-six Premier League footballer with his talent and quality but his confidence is a little bit low at the moment because of the fact we have been losing football match after football match.
“At times there is a fine balance between playing someone like Graham [Dorrans], who is confident and showing it every time he goes on the pitch, and Borja, who is finding the tempo week in, week out, and defeat on defeat a bit hard. I think he will benefit from having a rest for a week or two and then I am pretty sure he will come back strongly.”
