Jonas Olsson: Biding my time
Jonas Olsson insists he won't be knocking Tony Pulis's door despite falling out of favour under the new Albion boss.
The long-serving centre-back, who has been at the club for nearly seven years, played the last of his 200 league games in September.
Olsson is biding his time waiting for a Premier League chance under Pulis although he figured in the FA Cup quarter-final 2-0 defeat to Villa last week.
He admits his exile is frustrating but has thought twice about complaining to Pulis.
"There's a time you feel like knocking at the gaffer's door saying you want some playing time, but there's also a time where you have to accept the team is doing really well," he said.
"It's been tough. I've been back training since the end of January. I've been fit.
"When you're on the sideline you want the team to do well, but you don't really feel part of the success.
"So it's been frustrating but the guys who have played have done really well: Joleon, G Mac (Gareth McAuley), Craig Dawson and Chris Brunt.
"All you can do is train well and hopefully you'll get your chance.
"I'm just happy I'm fit again. It's been a frustrating season.
"My foot injury was holding me back for quite some time.
"It's healed now so I'm happy about that and happy about training without pain and biding my time.
"In the last few months you're going to have suspensions and injuries and I just have to make sure I'm ready when called upon."
Olsson believes Pulis has given Albion the new manager 'bounce' needed as he compared him with Roy Hodgson.
Olsson has been forced to play a waiting game for his chance behind Joleon Lescott, Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson in recent games.
But although the 32-year-old is frustrated with his lack of action, he has no issues with Pulis.
"We've had the energy that comes with a change of manager, I guess" said the Swedish defender.
"The new manager has done ever so well.
"I've been here for seven seasons and previously worked under Roy Hodgson and I can see similarities with the way they like to run things.
"They're very organised defensively - they're very much into details.
"That's really what he's brought to the club: organisation and professionalism in every aspect."
Olsson insists Albion will put their double derby defeat to Villa behind them as they prepare to face bogey team Stoke today.
"We'll put that behind us and focus all our energy on the final 10 games which will be very important," he said.
"We had a good run of games but a frustrating week, especially when you lose derbies as you want to do well for the fans.
"Villa are on a good run at the moment. They deserved to win."
