Greening: It’s bigger than play-offs

Jonathan Greening today geared up Albion for their showdown with Wolves tonight by branding the Molineux derby as bigger than last season’s play-off clashes.

The Baggies skipper will lead his side out tonight for a match that could take them back to the top of the Championship. And Greening bel-ieves tonight’s meeting at Molineux is even bigger than the five-match epic ‘series’ between the sides last season.

“It’s probably bigger,” said the midfielder. “If we win the game we go five points clear of Watford and three clear of Bristol City with three games left.

“That’s the main aim – to be sitting clear of those teams tomorrow.

“And if we get a draw we’re three points clear of Watford.

“We don’t want to lose but we need to be positive, go for the win and hopefully get the three points.

“If we can do that it’s a three-game season for everybody.”

And Greening, who fig-ured in derby matches for Manchester United and Middlesbrough, says the Black Country rivalry is capable of providing more drama than any other local skirmish in the country.

The 29-year-old started in all five matches between the rivals last season and skippered them in the goalless draw at The Hawthorns in November.

He says the atmosphere compares with any of his previous derby experiences and he is backing Albion to rise to the challenge this evening.

“It’s probably better,” he said. “The ones I’ve played in during the last few years have been amazing with lots of goals and lots of passion.

“Wolves are a really good team. We played them at home earlier in the season and they made it really difficult but we probably should have won it with Zoltan Gera missing a penalty.”