Albion keeper tips understudies
Veteran Dean Kiely today tipped Albion's "shadow squad" to prove their worth in the next phase of the team's promotion bid. Veteran Dean Kiely today tipped Albion's "shadow squad" to prove their worth in the next phase of the team's promotion bid. That begins at The Ricoh Stadium tonight when the Baggies face a Coventry side with their own designs on a top six challenge after three wins in a row. Albion must tackle their in-form neighbours without their top striker and defender from the campaign so far, Kevin Phillips and Martin Albrechtsen. The gaps in the side will be filled by manager Tony Mowbray's summer recruits at a time when Albion had hit their best form of the season. Leon Barnett will take over Albrechtsen's central defensive duties while Mowbray is keeping his plans for the Phillips vacancy to himself until shortly before kick-off. But keeper Kiely is hopeful the changes will be seamless. "I think the manager said pre-season he was building a squad to challenge and that is what he has done," said Kiely. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
That begins at The Ricoh Stadium tonight when the Baggies face a Coventry side with their own designs on a top six challenge after three wins in a row.
Albion must tackle their in-form neighbours without their top striker and defender from the campaign so far, Kevin Phillips and Martin Albrechtsen.
The gaps in the side will be filled by manager Tony Mowbray's summer recruits at a time when Albion had hit their best form of the season.
Leon Barnett will take over Albrechtsen's central defensive duties while Mowbray is keeping his plans for the Phillips vacancy to himself until shortly before kick-off.
But keeper Kiely is hopeful the changes will be seamless.
"I think the manager said pre-season he was building a squad to challenge and that is what he has done," said Kiely.
"He didn't just bring 11 or 12 players together hoping he could get through the season without injuries. "Leon has got all the right attributes.
"He's an athletic lad, with good spring who wins his tackles and headers.
"He's still gaining experience and this has been another step for him. He has been in the side, done well, and then out of the side. Now he's back and the manager will be looking for the right reaction.
"He wants hungry players, players who want to be in the starting X1 and are determined to do something about it. Leon is one of those, he trains hard, is very honest and very committed."
Victory for Albion would enable them to return to second place and nibble a couple of points off Watford's advantage after the leaders were held to a home draw by Colchester.
But it will be another major test of Albion's claims to have at last found the steel to go with the silk as they meet a Coventry side buoyant after wins over Colchester, Stoke and QPR.
