Albion defender Neil Clement is targeting a re-run of “the great escape” on Saturday – without the party.
Clement is a veteran of the Baggies’ famous 2-0 win over Pompey in 2005, a result that secured safety for Bryan Robson’s team despite them beginning the final day of the season at the foot of the Premier League.
And the long-serving centre-back would love a repeat performance in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final but he admitted any celebrations would need to be more muted.
“It was a huge party but if we manage to beat them this time we have a game against Blackpool coming up on the Tuesday night so I don’t think there will be too much partying,” said Clement.
“We need to focus on the league again because the games are coming thick and fast.
“But we will enjoy the day and put on a good performance.
“That was a big game. We had to rely on other results.
“We had to win our game and then wait to see what happened in other results but that season we went on a fantastic run after we came back from a trip to America.
“It was a fantastic run but that was a long time ago now and this is a different group of players. We are playing different football and everybody is up for the game and looking forward to it now.
“It’s a different game and we’ll see what happens. There are a lot of games left and we need to use the whole squad of players.”
An appearance in Saturday’s Wembley clash would seal an amazing transformation of fortunes for Clement, whose Albion future was in doubt five weeks ago when he left to join Hull on loan.
He has returned to Albion colours with an impressive match-and-a-half but he is not taking a starting place on Saturday for granted.
“We’ll see what happens but we’ve got a big squad of players and this is the next game up,” he said,
“We will see what the manager wants to do but I’m sure he will do the right thing. There is every chance and I’m pleased.
“The loan spell did me a lot of good and I’m now confident in myself and confident in the injuries that I had. I couldn’t be feeling stronger.”
Saturday’s match could pit Clement against Kanu – a former Baggies team-mate who has revived a once-flagging career since moving to Portsmouth.
And the defender has warned Albion fans they may not recognise the Nigerian on Saturday.
“He has great feet for a big man and he is a very experienced player,” said former Chelsea man Clement.
“He looks like he is playing very well down there for Portsmouth this year. He is a nice man as well
“On his day he is world class. I think we had glimpses of it and at times the way we played might not have suited him.
“But he is obviously playing very well this year.
“I think we saw glimpses of what he can do and we will have to be on our toes come Saturday.”
7 Comments
Yeah can see Kanu coming back to haunt us , much like Ernie did !
Good to see baggies on tv 3 times in 3 weeks, Where are the dingles LOL………Going out shopping LOL…buying tripe and pays…….LOL boing boing
Maybe Kiely can do the same for us
We live in Hope
Die in Caegwrley
1. Kanu has a knack of scoring against his old clubs.
2. You’re clever one aren’t you.
Nice to have an experienced Clem back for this one. We’ve all heard the talk about ‘The League is more important than the Cup’ etc. but you just watch the players who don’t make it this Saturday. They will SO disappointed and will need a lift for the Blackpool match. The gaffer played nearly 20 years and only made Wembley once,(and scored). Ask him how important it is.
Clements has been a good servant to the baggies, never complained when dropped and no has a chance to play at wembley,good luck clem and hope you get us to WEMBLEY