Greening to stay Albion skipper

Tony Mowbray today gave the green light for Jonathan Greening to carry on as Albion captain.

Tony Mowbray today gave the green light for Jonathan Greening to carry on as Albion captain.

Mowbray believes Greening has grown into the role in the wake of the summer exodus from The Hawthorns.

And the Baggies boss reckons that's showing in the midfielder's performances.

"I see Jonathan Greening as a top footballer," said Mowbray.

"When you're picking a captain here there are not many options of roll-your-sleeves-up or shake-your-fists type of captain.

"Jono, for me, is a captain who leads by example. He is talented and epitomises what I want from footballers regarding strength of character to get on the ball.

"I would also suggest that the chemistry and make-up of a dressing room sometimes means that when people leave it makes other people grow.

"I wouldn't suggest that is necessarily the case with Jonathan, I don't know, but football dressing rooms are living organisms.

"When one bit gets cut off, another bit has to come and get stronger and step forward and take on the mantle."

The 28-year-old, who signed a new contract in the summer, is the only Albion midfielder to have started every Championship game this season.

And Mowbray says that's because he's an integral cog in the wheel of a team he wants to not only get results but entertain.

"I'm happy with Jonathan's performances," added Mowbray.

"That's why he plays week in week out. He is the oil in the machine for us.

"The way we want to play makes it important that we have footballers who don't have a fear.

"They trust their talent, they trust themselves with the ball."