Last Saturday, Sean Gregan led his team to a 2-0 victory over Bradford City, after Gary Megson's men had learned they were promoted back to the Premiership, as Sunderland failed to beat Wigan in an earlier kick-off. The Baggies were obviously affected by the fact they were promoted, as Sean told Brian Beard afterwards.
Q:HOW DID IT AFFECT WEST BROM KNOWING, BEFORE KICK-OFF AGAINST BRADFORD, THAT YOU WERE ALREADY UP?
A:Obviously we knew beforehand that we were up and I think that was obvious from the way we played, in the first half especially. I think we showed a bit more urgency, in the second half, and I think we managed to win quite comfortably in the end. It was a bit of an anti-climax but it would have been nice to have put on a bit of a show. We didn't but we are promoted now so, job done.
Q:IT MUST HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO WARM UP WITH THE GAME STILL GOING ON AT WIGAN?
A:Like the supporters who were already in the ground, we were aware of the game at the JJB because it was on the big screen. But we knew Wigan were capable of getting a result against Sunderland and that's how it turned out. We've promotion, which was always the priority, but now that's in the bag we must push on towards the championship. We want to win that title as much as Norwich do.
Q:HAVE YOU HAD CHANCE FOR IT TO SINK IN THAT YOU ARE BACK IN THE PREMIERSHIP?
A:We had a taste of the Premier League last year, staff, players and supporters, and we all wanted a bit more. It's been a long, tough season, mentally, with everyone expecting us to go straight back up, something that's not easy to do. We may not be the fanciest team in the world and not the best passing side in the division but the heart, character and bottle we do have has carried us through. The pressure is off a bit now.
Q:WILL THE EXPERIENCE YOU GAINED BEFORE STAND YOU IN GOOD STEAD?
A:I think it will be a help because we won't be in awe of teams this time. We were unlucky against Leeds here at home and over the two games with Charlton we were on top and they were just some of the games we should have taken more points from. We're there now and once the season is over we'll have a good summer and look forward to a new season in the Premier League.
Q:CONSISTENCY HAS BEEN THE KEY HASN'T IT??
A:Over the course of a season the table doesn't lie. We haven't suffered consecutive defeats all season and have had the character to bounce back if we have lost a match. We've got there quite comfortably in the end but we'll continue the battle with Norwich, as we have done for a long time, to get that number one spot.
