Jonno on his team-mates - part two
JONATHAN Greening today continues to gives us an insight into the men that took the Baggies to their first title in 88 years.
In the second of a three-part series the Albion skipper gives us the lowdown on team-mates Luke Steele, Martin Albrechtsen, Sherjill MacDonald, Jared Hodgkiss, Ishmael Miller, Shelton Martis, Michal Danek, Filipe Teixeira, Kevin Phillips, Tininho and Luke Moore.
Log on to www.wba.co.uk tomorrow for the final part of the Hawthorns captain's colourful comments on the remainder of Tony Mowbray's troops and the coaching staff.
But first Greening takes us from No.13 to No.24:
13 - LUKE STEELE
Steely is a good friend of mine. When he got called upon against Leicester and Charlton in December he did brilliantly for us. He's gone off to Barnsley and had his FA Cup run with them. He did well and has decided to go there for a better chance of first-team football. He's one of the boys everyone liked around the place and it was sad to see him go. Hopefully he'll have a good career at Barnsley.
14 - MARTIN ALBRECHTSEN
Martin joined the same time as me. Our families get on really well. He's a good player with pace to burn. Sometimes he's got a monstrous first touch! He takes everything in good heart and he's been important to the team spirit and joins in with the comedy. He's got some rascal boots with graffiti names on them. When he first put them on the boys just absolutely hammered him. To be fair you've got to give him credit for showing the mental strength to persist with them and he did really well when he was wearing them.
15 - SHERJILL MACDONALD
He's got talent and pace to burn. He just needs to get experience. He went out on loan to Hereford for a bit and he banged in the goals for them. Next season will be a good test for him because he's got to break into the team and play regularly week in, week out. I think if he gets a chance he could be another good find. He's crazy and I think we've got a squad full of nutters and locos - but that's all part of the brilliant team spirit we've got here.
16 - JARED HODGKISS
Everyone likes Jazzer. He's one of those likeable guys that everyone likes playing with. He's a good little player. He's not that tall but doesn't shirk a challenge and is good on the ball. When he's played in the team this season he's done himself proud. He's only young as well so he's got plenty of time to learn and gain experience. All the things from this season will help him get even better.
17 - ISHMAEL MILLER
Ish is a powerhouse. I hadn't really heard of him before he came here but from the first training session we were all saying 'blimey, how fast is he for a big man!' The first goal he scored for us was just amazing and since then he hasn't looked back. He's had a few injuries but he has shown in patches what a top player he could be with more experience. He's a funny lad as well, who is always ripping people. He's laid back and is always late. I think he's put more into the players' fines this year than I've ever, ever known in my career! He always pays up though and has a laugh. His trousers seem to be getting lower and lower but that's how he likes wearing them!
18 - SHELTON MARTIS
Shelly has done well when he's played. He's quite a laid back character and a funny lad. He's strong as an ox and fast as well. He has good quality on the ball and has just been a bit unlucky because the Hoef has done so well at right-back and stayed away from injuries in the main. Shelton never moans though and is a great team player. Everyone has taken it on the chin that it's a squad game.
19 - MICHAL DANEK
When he first came in January everyone was saying 'look at the size of him and the size of his head!' He speaks hardly any English. He's done really well in training and looks a good prospect. He's kept Deano on his toes because it meant he had to keep playing well to stay in the team.
20 - FILIPE TEIXEIRA
He's a funny one. When he first came you could see what a good player he was and I think everyone thought 'what a bargain' because he cost hardly anything for the skills he has. He was unlucky his season was ended by a nasty injury and everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. He was probably one of our best players up to that point. We've missed him since he's been away in Portugal recovering and we can't wait to have him back. He's brilliant in the dressing room as well as on the pitch. We wore shirts with his name and No.20 on to warm up in at Loftus Road because we wanted him to know he is still very much part of things. Without him we wouldn't have been where we are.
21 - KEVIN PHILLIPS
His goals record speaks for itself. Not only that, his all-round play gives everyone a lift. He's a massive, massive player for us off the pitch as well as on it. His aura lifts everyone. His experience is just as important as his goals. He takes the mickey out of people and keeps them on their toes. He's 34 years old but is still as fit as fiddle and looks after himself really well. The younger players look up to him and see how hard he trains, how he looks after himself and the team spirit he helps generate. I think the gaffer likes the younger players to see that. Kev gives advice as well - but it's usually rubbish!
23 - TININHO
He's quite eccentric really. When he first came he didn't speak a word of English but now he's quite good and gets all the banter. He's been unlucky because Robbo hasn't missed any games really and he hasn't had the chance to perform week in, week out. He's settled in well though and is part of things.
24 - LUKE MOORE
Luke is a good young lad. Everyone was buzzing when we heard we were signing him. I think he's been a little bit unlucky because Kev, Ish and Roman have been on fire. But when he's played he's done really well and he was probably our best player against Blackpool away. I think he'll be a great asset to us once he's got a full pre-season behind him. In training he does some unbelievable things and you can tell why a lot of clubs wanted him. Off the pitch he is very relaxed as well. Getting sent-off against Leicester probably knocked his confidence a little bit as well. He just needs a goal and probably the chance to play a few games in a row. Once that happens I'm sure he'll be a real handful.
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