Life begins at 40 for super Albion

Albion blogger Jarrod Hill is waiting to break open the champagne after the Baggies all-but-confirmed their safety by reaching the magic 40 point mark.

The 40 point total has been reached by Albion and, boy, it feels good.

Simon Cox and Peter Odemwingie hit absolute crackers in Saturday's draw at Tottenham but it was the team performance that ensured we got a point from a tough fixture at White Hart Lane.

This team just refuse to give up and, even when Jermain Defoe put Spurs in front, we looked to have another goal in us.

We may be setting records for our lack of clean sheets, 32 and counting, but who cares when we score goals that make me jump around like I've just trod on a plug.

The game was a cracker and the football played by both sides was great to watch. A draw was a fair result, although either side could have nicked it.

Peter Odemwingie had a great chance with his header and I thought we should have had a penalty when there looked to be a blatant hand ball in the box, but the point was gratefully received.

The lads gave absolutely everything, totally committed and, when that much effort is put in, us fans can't do anything other than be impressed.

I won't say 'put a shift in,' because it's a cliche I hate. But there's an old saying that says the harder you work the luckier you become and the hard work is definitely being put in.

Reaching 40 points still might not be enough in this strangest of seasons but, with the four games we have left, I am confident we can get more.

The teams at the bottom continue to stutter and, with many of the clubs having to play each other, I would be surprised if 40 points wasn't enough to ensure Premier League football next season.

But ,until it's mathematically guaranteed, I will keep the champagne on ice, although I must admit we did celebrate Saturday's result with a big smile on our faces.

The national media keeps posing the question what has boss Roy Hodgson changed to have had such a dramatic effect?

Yes, our head coach has made us more compact in shape when defending and the reintroduction of Abdoulaye Meite into the team was Derren Brown-ish in its conception.

For me, it is the work rate of the players that has really changed. We all knew how this squad of players could play silky football, but it's when you combine it with a work ethic and good tactics that you really see results.

I am not saying there was no work rate before Roy arrived because that's just not true, but there is now a resolve within this team that wasn't there before.

Spurs had a number of set pieces on Saturday but created little, goalkeeper Scott Carson got over his Chelsea hiccup by commanding his back four and Jonas Olsson and Meite were outstanding.

Not since Gary Megson and big Dave have I seen us defend corners so well and it's these small things that are making big changes in our fortunes.

Another great game and another great result, while things are going this well I don't want the season to come to an end.

Hope you all had a great Easter weekend, I know I did.

Bring on the Villa.