Jonathan Greening is backing Jay Simpson to make a big impact while on loan at West Brom.
Captain backs striker to have Richardson impact for Baggies
Skipper Jonathan Greening is backing Arsenal striker Jay Simpson to make the same sort of impact for West Brom as former loan signing Kieran Richardson did four years ago.
Richardson made the temporary switch from Manchester United and was a key figure in the Baggies pulling off the 'Great Escape' and staying in the Premier League.
Richardson's contribution to Albion's survival in the 2004/2005 season earned him an England call-up - and two goals on his debut against the United States in Chicago.
Simpson has joined West Brom for the remainder of the season and netted his first goal for the promoted side in the FA Cup replay win over Peterborough.
Now the 20-year-old will have another chance to achieve cup glory in the fourth-round encounter with Burnley at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Greening said: "Jay has settled in really well. He's a nice guy, level-headed. I thought he played well against Peterborough and scored a good goal and also looked sharp against Middlesbrough.
"Sometimes you need a bit of enthusiasm, someone with young legs. It's a bit like Kieran Richardson when he came to us on loan. He was a bit raw.
Similar mould
"Jay is like that as well - but he can do something to change a game as we've already seen.
"Kieran made a hell of a difference and was a key part of why we stayed up in the 'Great Escape' season. He was quite chirpy but Jay is a quiet lad who just does his business out on the pitch."
Albion reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season and Greening insisted the competition is still special even though West Brom are battling to stay in the top flight.
The former United and Middlesbrough midfielder said: "If the manager (Tony Mowbray) said to me he was leaving me out because it was the FA Cup, I would be knocking on his door to say that I would rather play.
"Even in the replay in the last round at Peterborough, he could have rested a few players but we wouldn't have been happy and the memories of what we did last season in the cup stay with you for a long time.
Sparkle
"Sometimes when the big teams are competing in so many competitions and can't play their strongest team in the FA Cup, then maybe it loses a bit of its sparkle.
"But the cup hasn't lost its magic for us. Last season was amazing, to go all the way to the semi-finals and play at Wembley. The FA Cup is still special to me."
