Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Best yet to come from Nicky Shorey
Saturday 30th April 2011, 12:28PM BST.
Albion defender Nicky Shorey today told fans he is yet to hit top form in a Baggies shirt.
The former Villa full-back has been recalled to the team and is in solid form after a frustrating first season at The Hawthorns.
But the ex-England man still believes there is more to come if he can establish a regular place in the starting line-up.
“I am kind of happy but there is still a bit to come,” said the 30-year-old, who lost his place mid-season as former boss Roberto Di Matteo preferred Marek Cech at left-back.
“I was in and out of the team and you lack sharpness and match fitness, but hopefully there’ll be more to come next season.
“It’s hard when you’re not in the team to be as motivated as you are when you’re in.
“That’s just human nature.
“I have had that a bit for the last few years so it would be nice to get the chance to play week in, week out, and that’s the only time when you truly get a chance to see what a player can do.
“Hopefully I will get that but it’s all down to hard work and a little bit of luck.
“I am enjoying it. It’s just nice to be back in the team and playing but it’s gone particularly well of late, which is credit to everyone at the club.”
Shorey has been a regular member of the side since Roy Hodgson arrived to replace Di Matteo in February, playing a part in a run of just one defeat in eight games before today’s derby with Villa.
And Shorey insists he was always confident the Baggies could drag themselves away from the relegation scrap despite a dismal run at the end of Di Matteo’s reign.
“It’s a very tough league so it’s surprising in that sense that we have picked up some very good results,” he said. “But we’re more than capable and we showed that earlier in the season with certain results we picked up. It’s just a case of getting some consistency.
“Throughout the season you’re not going to be able to keep it up all the time but we have shown of late that we are a good team.”
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