West Brom boss Darren Moore can’t wait for derby day atmosphere

Despite admitting Albion’s rivalry with Birmingham City is a friendly one, Moore believes tonight’s match will still have something extra riding on it.

A no-nonsense centre-half, Albion’s head coach relished the battle of derby day as a player, and he’s vowed to kick and head every ball from inside his technical area.

“They’re excellent matches to play in,” he said. “This is my first derby as head coach, my adrenaline will be going for the game.

“I used to love playing in those games. Some of the boys I played against for Blues I’m still friends with now.

“I battled against good friends like Geoff Horsfield. Me and the Horse are still very much in contact now.

“That was a great battle; players like Paul Furlong I remember playing against in a one-on-one situation.

“The games were hotly contested and there was a good energy. I’m expecting similar again. It’s a local one so there’s always a little extra on it.

“The only difference is this time I don’t get to cross the white line and do battle but I’ll kick and head every ball from the technical area.”

Born in Birmingham, Moore is looking forward to visiting St Andrew’s, and he’s expecting a bouncing atmosphere.

“The stadium is great,” he said. “The crowd’s on top of you, it’s a fast pitch. It’s an exciting ground to visit, it’ll be underneath the lights, it’ll be a great game.

“The atmosphere will be superb, we’re taking 3,000 fans across.

“The ticket prices have been reduced, we’re expecting a full house so the atmosphere will be a good one.”

Moore has confirmed the Baggies will make a decision over free agents Wes Hoolahan and Russell Martin in ‘the next seven days’.

Both playmaker Hoolahan, 36, and defender Martin, 32, were on trial with Albion over the international break.

Moore will meet with his coaching staff and chief executive Mark Jenkins in the coming days to discuss whether to offer either a short-term contract but he insists there is ‘no rush’.