Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt is looking forward to his return to Hillsborough as one of Albion’s most senior players. Since leaving Wednesday three seasons ago Brunt has developed into a true goal threat and a senior member of a young Baggies squad.
The 24-year-old, who celebrates his birthday next month, already has five goals to his name this term following on from his success in front of goal last season in the Premier League. As a result, Brunt is now considered one of the more experienced players in Roberto Di Matteo’s dressing room with the wide-man hoping to impress in front of his former fans.
“Sheffield Wednesday fans were good to me after I left and when I was there as well,” Brunt recalled.
"I'll probably get some stick - that's the way football is - but I'm looking forward to going back.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I owe them a lot for where I am now.
"I'm definitely one of the more experienced players here, if you take Deano and Roko out of the squad.
"That's quite scary in a way but it shows how well we're doing given how inexperienced we are.
"It bodes well for the future."
Brunt, who scored Albion’s second goal during the 4-1 victory over Bristol City, is now hoping Albion can build on two back-to-back victories and pull away from the chasing pack.
"Things are going well but it doesn't take much to get sucked back into the mix," he continued.
"I know that from the last time we were in this division.
"The league a couple of years ago was tight and will be again this year.
"We only kicked on towards the end.
"At one stage we dropped to fifth and sixth.
"It's important to keep getting the points, no matter how badly you're playing.
"If you're playing badly then try and get a draw or nick a win.
"Newcastle have done that a bit this season with the odd 1-0s.
"That's keeping them towards the top of the league - it might not be brilliant football but it's keeping them up there.
"I think we are a lot more resilient.
"A lot of our training has been based around trying to make us better defensively as a team, which is an important part of the game.
"There are two sides to every match - when you're going forward and when you're defending - and we have been a lot more solid at the back this season than we maybe were last season or the season before.
"That has played a part in us getting some results this season and hopefully we can keep that going throughout the season.
"If we have a good base defensively in every game we have enough talent going forwards to win games.
"That's a good starting point."