Greening in mid-table claim

Albion skipper rues lack of Prem know-how at Hawthorns

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 2nd May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Greening in mid-table claim

Greening: Mid-table claim

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Johnathan Greening believes experience is the only thing stopping West Brom from being a mid-table Premier League team.

The Baggies captain has been helpless to improve Albion's fortunes with the Midlands outfit a reluctant permanent fixture at the foot of the table.

Championship football could beckon for Tony Mowbray's side if they fail to pull off another miraculous relegation escape, with a trip to Tottenham on Saturday the next must-win match.

But Greening feels the Hawthorns faithful could be watching a mid-table side if the Baggies had more players with top-flight know-how.

He told The Daily Mail: "'A couple of weeks ago at Manchester City, I lined up against Nigel de Jong and he cost as much as our entire squad.

"'It's that experience and know-how that we've missed. We'd be up one end, scoring a goal, and then someone would come straight back at us.

Mid-table claim

"With the addition of three or four experienced players, I think we'd be looking at mid-table.

"But there's no way this club could afford a £8-9million player and give him 40 grand a week. And that's what they cost."

Many critics have identified West Brom's style of play as the reason for their struggles and Greening admits the Baggies have been over-elaborate in patches this season.

"I know the gaffer's been a bit miffed with a couple of the pundits who have criticised us," the Albion skipper added.

"Everyone's going to point to West Brom and say ours isn't the right way to play in the Premier League.

"You can look at Stoke. They are hard to beat, no question. We have, perhaps, played too much football. We have been too gung-ho at times. I can't argue with that."