West Brom striker Geoff Horsfield is hoping to turn the tables on Wigan…after scoring the only goal AGAINST Gary Megson's men for the Latics when the two teams met in September. The promotion-chasing pair go head-to-head tonight at the Hawthorns and the 30-year-old striker owes the Baggies' faithful a goal. Horsfield's strike at the JJB Stadium condemned Albion to only their second defeat of the season, but now he is back in the West Midlands he is determined to make amends. Ian Clarkson caught up with Horsfield as he hoped to help Albion put a 12-point gap between themselves and the chasing pack on a night when Geoff will receive his Fans' Player of the Month award for January.
Q:HOW BIG A GAME IS THIS?
A:This will be an absolutely huge game. If we can pick up all three points we could open up a big gap and that would be a massive boost at this stage of the season. It is going to be a real grind and a battle as Paul Jewell likes his team to work really hard and I would imagine there would be only be one goal in it again.
Q:IF THAT IS THE CASE, ANY IDEAS ON WHO MIGHT SCORE?
A:I would love to be the bloke who scores that goal. It always seems to happen that people score against their old club and I am sure Jason Roberts would love to be playing for that very reason. He is suspended though, so let's hope that I can do the business.
Q:WHAT SORT OF RECEPTION DO YOU THINK YOU WILL RECEIVE FROM THE TRAVELLING WIGAN FANS?
A:I don't know whether the Wigan fans will give me a hard time or not, because I was only there for three months. I am not sure what sort of reception it will be so I am glad it's a home game! I haven't slagged the club off though so I presume they will be okay with me, but if they aren't then so be it - that's football.
Q:EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE ONLY THERE FOR A SHORT TIME, I TAKE IT YOU STILL HAVE GOOD MEMORIES?
A:Paul Jewell has done a fantastic job up there and I still have plenty of friends in Wigan. In fact, I am going to enjoy meeting Nicky Eaden at the far post for a few headers. Mind you, he reckons he's been on the weights so it should be very interesting. I said when I signed for Albion that they are a bigger club than Wigan and I stand by that, although it will be a tough game on the night.
Q:QUITE A FEW EX-ALBION PLAYERS HAVE BEEN HAVING A GO AT GARY MEGSON - WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THAT?
A:It seems to be in vogue to have a go at the manager after you have left the club. If people want to have a moan then that is their prerogative, but from my point of view I can't see that there is a problem with Gary. He is as straight as a dye and if you give him 100 per cent then he is fine with you. I am the sort of player who has always worked hard and West Brom is no different to anywhere else I have been.
Q:IN WHAT SENSE?
A:If we win then we get Sunday and Wednesday off and if we lose we don't. That is always a massive incentive to win games and work hard and if I am honest, players tend to moan about everything. We will moan if the water is too hot - or too cold - and I would take it all with a pinch of salt.
Q:ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR GOALS TALLY SO FAR THIS SEASON?
A:I would always like to score more goals. We've not been creating loads of chances, but I've still got 12 this season for both clubs and if I can push on towards 20 it would be very satisfying. However, I wouldn't care if I didn't score again, as long as we go back to the Premiership as that is what I came here for.
Q:WHO ELSE HAS CAUGHT YOUR EYE SINCE YOU CAME TO THE HAWTHORNS?
A:I like the look of Jason Koumas as he has real Premiership quality. Lloyd Dyer could also become one for the future and James Chambers has also impressed me with his defensive attributes. He is so quick and all over you like a rash. There are certain players you want to play against in training and ones you want to avoid - he falls into the latter category as I hate it when he marks me in training as you just can't shake him off.
