Interview: West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez hoping to break Burnley hearts on home Turf

Five years on the south coast with Southampton did little change to his tongue, and it’s clear the 28-year-old is looking forward to going back to ‘the Turf’ - the affectionate name locals call Turf Moor - with the Baggies this weekend.

He has fond memories of being a ball boy for Burnley home games when he was rising through their academy and owes a lot to those days spent watching the first-team.

“I had a good seat!” he laughs. “I think they were in the equivalent of the Championship then. I used to watch Andy Payton, Ian Wright, and Robbie Blake.

“I was always trying to watch how the strikers finished their chances. It did me good watching them. I learned a lot.”

Rodriguez also took tips from his dad Kiko, who had a trial with home town club Deportivo La Coruna at the age of 16 and was then spent a short period as a striker for Burnley reserves.

“I always used to watch him because he played locally,” said Rodriguez. “He was a good footballer, did well in local sides. He was always good to talk to about football.

“My grandma and grandad moved over from Coruna for work. They were chefs and ended up coming to Burnley. I don’t know the reason.

“They just found a place, settled there and loved it. I think that shows what a place Burnley is.”

Rodriguez was spotted playing for Barrowford Celtic junior team before going on to break into the Burnley team as a teenager.

He then had two stand-out seasons in the Championship before Southampton bought him for £7million at the age of 22.

He has been back to Turf Moor, but only once, and that was last season when Southampton lost 1-0.

The local boy made good came on for a substitute appearance then but he’s likely to start up front for the Baggies this weekend and he’s likely to get a good reception.

“I hope so!” he said. “I think I’ve got a good relationship with them. It should be a good atmosphere because it’s the first home game for Burnley.

“It’s a great club, they did a lot for me growing up, I met a lot of great people and coaches there.

“I still try and keep in touch with them so it will be nice to see them at the game if I can.”

Rodriguez’s dad Kiko and brother Joe used to go sit with the Burnley fans to watch him play and plenty of his friends are supporters. So on Saturday, he’s hoping to break a few hearts of his nearest and dearest.

“All my mates and family are all Burnley fans so they’ll be there at the weekend,” he said. “I grew up going down the Turf each week. We all supported them, it’s a local thing, everyone get’s behind the team.”

There are plenty of parallels between his first club and his latest one. Both are community clubs dining at the top table thanks to gruff British managers putting an emphasis on hard work, effort, and organisation.

After blunting Bournemouth’s possession-based passers, Albion are in for a completely different challenge this weekend when they come up against Sean Dyche’s team.

Like the Baggies, Burnley got their season off to flying start, although their 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge was the more eye-catching result of the two opening-day victories.

“That was a great achievement,” said Rodriguez. “Burnley are a great side and anyone in the Premier League deserves to be there. They can beat anyone.”

Rodriguez impressed on his Albion debut last weekend but unfortunately the goal he deserved just eluded him.

“I was disappointed not to score,” he said. “I had a few chances, but I think the team played really well. It’s always important to get that first win so we’re all delighted. But the main focus now is on the Burnley game, they soon come thick and fast the games, that’s what you want.”

Rodriguez has been brought in to add a goal threat from open play to a team of set-piece specialists.

And against Bournemouth, a couple of nice interchanges between him, Matt Phillips, and Jake Livermore hinted at a positive future.

Rodriguez says those partnerships will only continue to blossom, the more games they play together.

“Once you start playing alongside each other you learn different things,” he said. “That’s just part and parcel of linking up and creating partnerships. We understand each other and it will only get better.”

Not that any of Albion’s South American contingent will be able to speak to him in Spanish. Despite his name, Rodriguez can’t speak a word of grandparents’ native language, although he has been receiving lessons from one of his new team-mates.

“Jonny Evans has already given me some tips!” he laughs. Albion’s skipper has been learning Spanish for the past two years and harbours a long-term desire to play in La Liga.

It’s clear then that Rodriguez has settled into the group, both on and off the pitch, but he’s yet to pluck up the courage to take control of the speakers in the dressing room.

Albion’s squad have an eclectic taste according to the summer signing - “It’s a bit of a mixture really - some garage, dance” - but he doesn’t think his favourite band would be good to get blood pumping before kick-off.

Rodriguez is such a huge fan of Manchester indie band The Smiths that he’s named his dog ‘Morrissey’ and even had ‘There is a Light that Never Goes Out’ as the first dance for his wedding.

“A few of the family members were like ‘What is this?’ But they kind of got it in the end. We both wanted it and we all had a good dance, so that’s the main thing.”

Score against his boyhood club on Saturday, and there will plenty in the away end dancing too.