Jonathan Greening’s gang! West Brom hero picks his top Albion XI

The versatile midfielder successfully battled the drop only to go on and later endure the pain of relegation from the Premier League. He then skippered the Baggies back to the top flight and into the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Named Albion’s player of the year in 2006, Greening also made the PFA Championship Team of the Year in 2008.

Here he picks his best XI from his time at The Hawthorns – with the 41-year-old opting for a 4-5-1 formation with a very fluid midfield.

Goalkeeper – Dean Kiely

Dean was a great character, a top pro and vastly experienced. His communication was excellent, his shot-stopping brilliant and he also had a wand of a left foot.

He also had some fantastic stories and a great trick he could do with a water bottle!

Right-back – Carl Hoefkens

Great energy, strong defensively but also a threat going forward, Carl could take players on and his crossing was quality.

He was a good looking guy too, his missus was a model. He was living his life as The Hoff.

Centre-back – Chris Perry

There was one argument with Tony Mowbray that I’ll never forget.

But Chris was otherwise a very calming influence on the team.

Composed in possession, he read the game really well and was strong in the air for his size.

Centre-back – Neil Clement

Very strong defensively, but Neil was also a real threat in an attacking sense and scored goals. Another player with a wand of a left peg, he was a leader and used to lose his mind when he lost at head tennis.

Left-back – Paul Robinson

A player who always gave his all and expected the same from his team-mates.

Fearless as a defender, he too had an unbelievable left peg that he used to great effect.

Robbo would two-foot his own mum to win a game of football.

Right midfield – Jason Koumas

A midfielder with unbelievable ability who could go past players as if they weren’t there. He was also quality on set-plays and could score worldies. I just wish he wasn’t so relaxed and chilled because he could have been even better.

Centre midfield – Robert Koren

Very good technically, relaxed and so comfortable in possession.

But he also had that knack of popping up in the box at the right time to score goals. To be fair, he was playing next to me so I made him look good!

Centre midfield – James Morrison

Fantastic quality in all areas. Similar to Koumy, he could take players on, assist, score, but he could also dig in and do the nasty side of the game.

All he needed to work on was his banter in the dressing room.

Centre-midfield – Zoltan Gera

A great guy who everybody loved.

Gera had terrific energy and a real enthusiasm for the game.

His ability, talent and attitude were first-class and that led to him putting in great performances and scoring great goals. The funniest guy ever, the first bit of English Robbo taught him was “you muppet”.

Left midfield – Chris Brunt

Another wand of a left peg, Brunty’s quality from set-pieces was outstanding.

He brings assists and goals, but he is also a team player and a top pro with a fantastic attitude.

The only thing he was missing was a ta,n but I’m sure when he’s retired he will work on it. Oh, and he didn’t lift a trophy as skipper.

Striker – Kevin Phillips

Similar to Deano and Pezza, Super Kev had great character and had an unbelievable desire to be the best and score goals.

His link up play was great and he was deadly in front of goal.

It’s a shame he left after we got promoted because I believe if he had stayed we would have stayed up.

But he never gets a round in.

Substitutes

Scott Carson

A good shot-stopper who was also good with his feet.

Crazy like most keepers, but very good. He organised well and lead from the back. Thicker than me though.

Darren Moore

Big Dave is an absolute gentleman, but on the pitch he was an animal.

A true leader, he would put his body on the line to get the right result.

And I always remember his famous phrase “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

Andrew Johnson

A great team man who would help you in any way on or off the pitch.

His attitude, application and desire to win was first-class.

Mad as a box of frogs though.

Nwankwo Kanu

Very talented, skilful and a player with real quality.

A quiet guy who just let his feet do the talking. He registered assists, scored goals and was a real threat for defenders. Loved getting fined for turning up late – even though he had a Ferrari.

Geoff Horsfield

An old-school striker who never gave defenders a moment’s peace.

Honest, hard working and strong as ox – Geoff had real quality too.

He linked up play well and knew where the back of the net was.

He had the worst fake gnashers at the club.

Kevin Campbell

The King, as he was known, was a very good striker, strong, fast, experienced.

Similar to Horse, he knew his strengths and played to them, a massive reason we did the great escape.

Bad taste in music.

Diomansy Kamara

Absolutely rapid, he could take players on, assist, score. A real threat to defenders but exciting to play with.

Proper weirdo (in a nice way) and lived in his own world.