West Brom might have gone off the rails last weekend with a 3-0 defeat at Preston, but they are still the bookies' favourite for promotion. Gary Megson has cobbled together a team that - on paper - looks far too strong for this division and only Norwich are proving the paper wrong thus far. However, just in case any of his troops were becoming complacent, Megson shelled out on two new strikers last week, Morten Skoubo and Delroy Facey. These two front-runners could well be the final pieces of the Albion jigsaw and Facey in particular is on a mission after his move from Bolton. The 23-year-old Huddersfield-born player looked all set for Premiership stardom after his move from Huddersfield, but a life-threatening bout of pneumonia put his dreams on hold and now he is looking to bounce back and prove just what he can do. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke to Facey about his hopes and aspirations for the remainder of the campaign, but first of all about why he won't be going to Poland for his holiday.
Q:HOW DID YOU GET THIS ILLNESS AT BOLTON?
A:I was struck down with severe pneumonia after our pre-season tour of Poland in 2002. As part of the warm down procedure we went into this big freezer-type unit, where the temperatures were as low as -32 degrees, which was designed to help us with our recovery the next day. The idea was that we would be able to lift weights and run the next morning without aching as much.
Q:SO WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
A:I don't know whether it happened while I was in there, but I caught an infection, which spread all over my lungs. I spent the best part of two-and-a-half months in hospital and lost around three-and-a-half stone in weight. It was serious and I was out for six months in total, but thankfully I am over it now and back fighting fit.
Q:YOU HAVE PLAYED UNDER TWO NO-NONSENSE MANAGERS THIS SEASON - STAN TERNENT (Burnley on loan) AND NOW GARY MEGSON - HOW DO THEY COMPARE?
A:Stan can certainly out-shout everyone from the touchline and from what I have read about the scenario with David May he can out-box everyone as well! Gary is very similar to Stan in that if you are giving 110 per cent he has got no problems with you. However, if you are not then Gary is the sort of bloke to tell you - unlike some managers who take it with a pinch of salt. I like that because you know where you stand and the manager knows what all the players can do.
Q:THE FANS EXPECT PROMOTION THIS SEASON - ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT?
A:I am fully aware of the expectation levels around the Hawthorns and I can feel the vibe. We were 3-0 up against Watford in my first game and the crowd were really singing and cheering then all of a sudden they pulled one back and it was as though they had equalised. That means the pressure is on, but the players here are responding to that.
Q:DO YOU THINK YOUR PREMIERSHIP EXPERIENCE WILL HELP?
A:The majority of players at West Brom have got top flight experience. I just hope I can help them along, but if we play like we can do for the rest of the season then we should go up.
Q:WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH YOUR CONTRACT?
A:Hopefully West Brom and I can help each other and I can score the goals that will help us get promotion. That will put me in the shop window as my contract is up at the end of the season, but ideally I would love to stay at the Hawthorns.
