Despite Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Reading it has been a fantastic season for West Bromwich Albion. They have secured their second promotion in three seasons and will be looking to make a better fist of it in the top flight than last season when they were relegated. It has certainly been a great experience for Paul Robinson, who admits that he needs a pair of earmuffs after a season alongside Gary Megson at the Albion, and the 25-year-old has been a revelation this season and an integral part of Albion's promotion success since arriving at The Hawthorns. He can count former England boss Graham Taylor and FA Cup winning manager Gianluca Vialli among his tutors during a seven-year stint at Vicarage Road, but since his arrival at The Hawthorns in October, the left-back has been more than impressed with Megson - even though he is in the firing line when the manager's verbal volleys start on the touchline. Ian Clarkson spoke to Robinson for givemefootball.
Q:HOW DOES GARY MEGSON COMPARE TO YOUR PREVIOUS MANAGERS?
A:The gaffer certainly shouts a lot more than any of my previous managers. And playing at full back I certainly have no problems listening to his instructions! In all seriousness, he is a top manager and has done fantastically well to enable the club to bounce back into the Premiership after just one season.
Q:WHAT ARE HIS STRENGTHS?
A:Quite clearly, one of his biggest attributes is being able to put his point of view across to the players and he lets us know what he's feeling. He is the best manager I've known for lifting a dressing room and 'getting a team at it'. The gaffer isn't afraid to change things around tactically either. I think we proved that at Sunderland where we virtually sealed promotion. They played right into our hands and we picked up the three points we needed.
Q:YOU HAVE HAD SOME HIGH PROFILE MANAGERS HAVEN'T YOU?
A:I have been very fortunate with my other managers as Graham Taylor was excellent too, as you would expect from a former England manager. I also learned a lot from Gianluca Vialli as he had a lot of experience.
Q:HOW PLEASING IS IT TO GET BACK INTO THE PREMIERSHIP AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT?
A:It is a good experience to play in the Premiership, as you get a chance to compete against world class players, and everyone wants to test themselves at that level. I hope my experience of playing with the England Under 21 team and playing in the top flight with Watford will stand me in good stead. The Hawthorns is a great place to play football at the moment as it is absolutely buzzing.
Q:HOW IMPORTANT HAS THAT SUPPORT BEEN THIS SEASON?
A:The support has been amazing this season. I have never witnessed anything like it in my career before. We used to have some good fans at Vicarage Road, but Albion are getting in the region of 25,000 every week at home and taking around 5,000 fans on the road. I know that some people in the game might say that it leads to extra pressure but I think it spurs you on and the crowd have given us a lift at vital stages of the season.
Q:IN YOUR OPINION WHO HAS BEEN ALBION'S BEST PLAYER THIS SEASON?
A:Jason Koumas has got so much natural ability it is frightening. I would probably pick him because he can change a game with a click of his fingers as we saw at Sunderland a fortnight ago, and on countless other occasions this term.
Q:YOU HAVE CLEANED UP YOUR OWN ACT THIS SEASON - HAS THAT BEEN A CONSCIOUS DECISION?
A:My disciplinary record was something that I wanted to work on. All the managers I have played for have told me that I need to clam down and concentrate on playing football if I want to improve. I believe I have done that to a certain degree this season.
