DEAN Kiely admitted Albion finally getting the better of their 'frustration' was the key to clinching automatic promotion.

The Baggies goalkeeper revealed being unable to nail down top spot in one of the most competitive Championships for years was hard to accept at times for Tony Mowbray's men.

But he claims once they knuckled down, particularly after their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Portsmouth earlier this month, sealing a return to the Premier League was never in doubt.

"For a time we were quite frustrated we weren't ten points clear because we thought we should be," said Kiely.

"But then we looked around and thought Stoke, Watford and Charlton could all make similar cases.

"Once we stopped being frustrated and focussed on what we needed to do, re-evaluated everything and kicked-on we got where we need to be."

He added: "There was a professional way to react to the semi-final defeat and an unprofessional way.

"I think we reacted very, very professionally and I don't think that was in any doubt.

"Teams are cast in managers' images.

"The way the gaffer does things is very pragmatic and thoughtful and that's the way he wants his team to be.

"I think we have been pragmatic and we've got to where we want in the way he wanted.

"I've played in many sides where managers tell you they want you to play but when there is a sniff of it going wrong they abandon it and start getting you to lump it 90 yards.

"For him to stay strong and stick to his beliefs over how he wants the game played, and for us to carry it out to the letter is job satisfaction - it's a big deal."

Kiely spent six-and-a-half seasons in the Premier League with Charlton and he believes the current Albion squad is in a similar mould.

"I played in a Charlton side that were never in a relegation battle or had six-pointers," he said.

"They finished between seventh and 14^th in the six-and-a-half years I was there.

"This team has all those ingredients and a little bit more.

"There are things we can work on and we can turn the screw even harder.

"I can't imagine the gaffer bringing in many big egos or superstars.

"I think the right players and right people will come in and we all trust the manager implicitly with the choices he's already made and the ones he makes in the future."

The Hawthorns No.1 also feels the Baggies would do well to take a leaf out of Bristol City's book on their top-flight return.

The Robins have used the momentum from their League One promotion to take the Championship by storm this term and clinch a play-off place.

"It's important we start next season well," added Kiely.

"A bit like Bristol City started in this division really.

"Regardless of the level you're playing at, if you can take a winning mentality into whatever league you're going into that is important.

"You want to hit the ground running and get off to a decent start.

"I'm very confident with the way things will pan out and it's great to be involved." 

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