Satisfied Roy reflects on anniversary

Last updated : 27 February 2012 By Wba-mad Editor

Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson is more than satisfied after celebrating a year in charge at The Hawthorns.

The experienced coach took over from Roberto Di Matteo little over a year ago with the mission to keep the Baggies in lead.

Hodgson did more than that in his short spell in charge last season and masterminded the club’s 11th place finish – the club’s best ever Premier League place.

Albion have progressed this season and already have 32 points on the board following back-to-back victories against Wolves and Sunderland which have resulted in nine goals.

The former Liverpool boss admits he has enjoyed the last year working in the Black Country and believes the club has progressed in the last twelve months. 

“I get a lot of satisfaction from the position we're in," he said.

"I've also had a lot of satisfaction in being at the club just over a year.

"I've got a lot of satisfaction from many things, not least the response of the players to the work we do and the fact that every time we go out to play, I know they are going to try very hard to do what we want them to.

"Players are not robots and we make mistakes. Things don't always go the way you want them to.

"But there are very few occasions in this last year when I have come off the field thinking the team weren't mentally ready for the game, they didn't try hard enough, we lost our shape, didn't show enough discipline - very few occasions.

"If you are a coach, that's a nice thing to be able to say.

"I'd like to think we have come a long way from the point where the club were in danger of going down to where we are now.

"Of course, we have to be realistic. With the budget we have, you are going to lose games.

"You are not going to be competing on a regular basis with the big clubs like Manchester City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.

"They are in another league. You don't expect a small garage doing the odd exhaust repairs to compete with Quick Fit!

"We realise that, but we are not alone in that situation.

"You can isolate six clubs who have got enormous resources while the rest of us, we are not that far apart, and the trick is to get yourself in a stable position with those other 14 teams, which we are achieving."

Do you want Roy Hodgson to stay on for another 12 months at the club? Have your say at WBA-MAD's fans' forum here at Baggies Banter