Albion boss is so excited: Kiely

Albion keeper Dean Kiely says manager Tony Mowbray’s excitement at this afternoon’s Wembley challenge has rubbed off on his players.

Kiely says Mowbray has been buzzing at the thought of the Baggies facing Premier League opposition.

And he reckons the whole squad have embraced the manager’s enthusiasm.

“The gaffer is excited about pitting his wits against a Premier League manager and a Premier League side,” said Kiely.

“He can’t wait for us to go and play against a Premier League and see how we go.

“We’re up for the challenge and we need to meet that challenge head on and look forward to it and embrace it as opposed to shying away from it. It gives me a great feeling.

“We won’t need too much geeing up for a game of this magnitude and we’ve all got a role to play – the gaffer, his staff and everybody.

“We are all pulling in the right direction and trying to get through to what could be the end of a fantastic season.”

And Kiely believes the short build-up period following Tuesday’s trip to Cardiff could help the Baggies at Wembley this afternoon.

“We haven’t had much time to think about the game but I don’t think that’s a bad thing if I’m honest.

“We just want to get into a good run of form where the games are coming, we are knocking them off and we are getting three points or through a round of the FA Cup and we’re on auto-pilot. You don’t want to be left with weeks to think about things.

“Good players just want to play and that is no different with us.

“I’ve been inundated with ticket requests and things like that, but my wife has got the job of doing that because it’s not something I can get involved in.

“It’s a fantastic occasion for the fans and I’m sure they will have a thoroughly enjoyable day if we get the right result.

“And it is a great occasion for my friends and family because they have followed me throughout my career and I am very grateful for that.

“But do I want to get involved in all the logistics of getting them tickets, sorting out car parks and other things like that?

“No, I don’t. It’s a game of football and my job description doesn’t change.”