Express & Star

Darnell Furlong: Leeds blow up is a warning for West Brom

Darnell Furlong insists Albion will learn the lessons of last season’s promotion race after securing top spot in the Championship for Christmas.

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Darnell Furlong of West Bromwich Albion applauds the West Bromwich Albion Fans at the end of the match. (AMA)

Albion were on 50 points going into the Boxing Day today’s fixtures, three ahead of nearest rivals Leeds and 11 clear of Sheffield Wednesday in third.

And although the team top of Championship at Christmas have almost always been promoted as champions or as runners-up over the course of the last decade, Albion are aware Leeds were top last Christmas but fell into the play-off positions before losing in the semi-finals to Derby.

“It’s a different season every year and a different case every year,” said Furlong. “We’ll do our best to stay at the top. If that leaves us there, that’s great.”

And he believes the fact Leeds were top a year ago and didn’t go up shows why no-one can rest on their laurels

“That’s the perfect example, you can say ‘look what happened last year’,” added the 24-year-old. “We’ll do all we can to keep out in front.”

Furlong bagged his second goal of the season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford and he is looking to add to his tally if possible.

“I like to contribute going forwards, if I can do that, whether it’s attacking play and trying to set things up, or scoring, I’m happy to do it,” he said the son of former Birmingham striker Paul.

“But it’s been said before, we don’t care who scores as long as we get a result, I’ll happily take no more goals for the rest of the season if we win games.”

He added: “When I joined, QPR it was as a striker, I was very young. But the coaches put me where I was best suited, they did well and prepared me for my future in the game.”