Jonno on his team-mates - part three
JONATHAN Greening today completes his verdict on the men that took the Baggies to their first title in 88 years.
In the third and final part of the series the Albion skipper gives us the lowdown on team-mates Bostjan Cesar, Pele, James Morrison, Chris Brunt, Bartosz Slusarski and manager Tony Mowbray, assistant boss Mark Venus, coach Craig Shakespeare and goalkeeping coach Joe Corrigan.
To round things off Greening takes us from No.25 to No.30 in the squad and gives us an insight into the coaching staff:
25 - BOSTJAN CESAR
He's a funny lad. He's only on loan from Marseille. He's been a joy to work with. We wind him up by saying he's got a big head. He doesn't like it but he's a softie at heart. When he's been called upon he has done really well and all the boys really like having him about the place.
26 - PELE
He's a chilled out guy. He lives near me and has about four barbeques a week. Some of the performances he's put in this year when he's been called upon have been top class. He's been unlucky not to play more as well because we've got such strength in depth. But even when he's not been playing he has always been in the dressing room supporting everyone else. I've never seen him lose his rag, he's always so cool and he's like a 'Mr Soft' character.
27 - JAMES MORRISON
He's a rare character. I think he's a bit loco and I reckon we signed him from Middlesbrough's psycho camp. He is a great, great player on the pitch. He is fast, direct and takes players on. He is one of the biggest jokers off the pitch and is always messing around. He's been a joy to have around the place. I knew him at Middlesbrough and when he said he was coming here I was pleased because I knew what a good player he is. He's been brilliant for us all year and I'm really pleased he has got back into the Premier League so quickly.
29 - CHRIS BRUNT
We call him Harry Potter because of his left foot. That showed against QPR on the last day of the season when he got his wand out and pinged one into the top corner. He's a quite quiet lad but dangerous with it - he's a silent assassin. He's got some cutting banter when he wants. On the pitch he's been different class all year. Him, Mozza and Filipe have been in and out of the side but have all bought into the squad rotation and have all done well. If Brunty had a right foot to go with his left foot he would probably be worth around £25million!
30 - BARTOSZ SLUSARSKI
He doesn't speak a lot of English and didn't settle as well as he wanted. He's come on once and done well in a couple of loan spells at Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday. Sometimes it takes players a while to settle in before they really perform. But he's another really nice lad.
MANAGER - TONY MOWBRAY
The gaffer is a top man. Everyone knows he's not all smiles when he's doing his interviews but around the place he is always whistling in the corridors and is a happy, go lucky guy. Everyone loves training sessions with him and the way he likes to play. It's been a pleasure this season. We know he's not a misery guts and hopefully he can stay at West Brom for a long time and continue doing a really good job here. He's been brilliant for me and getting the captain's armband off him was a complete shock. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and working closely with the gaffer has been a pleasure.
ASSISTANT MANAGER - MARK VENUS
He's a bit of a prankster and can be quite harsh. He likes a bit of a dig now and again. But he means well and just wants to win. Everyone can see his passion for the game. I think he still wants to be a footballer. He's always trying to join in training and saying he could do a better job but I think his legs have gone or his beer belly is getting in the way! He's been a pleasure to work with as well. He believes in the right way to play and his heart is in the right place. He celebrates wins with us and I've really enjoyed working with him - he's been brilliant.
COACH - CRAIG SHAKESPEARE
Shakey or 'Keg' as we call him. He's been here longer than me and is a top man and a great coach. He is quite sarcastic when he wants to be and quite funny. He's got to leave the coffee and cakes alone though! Seriously, he's been brilliant. Not just for me but for all the players, especially the younger boys.
GOALKEEPING COACH - JOE CORRIGAN
Everyone loves Joe Corrigan. He's a grumpy old git and we all call him Victor Meldrew, zombie and other things. He was a great player and is a great goalkeeping coach. I asked Deano what he was like and he said he is absolutely brilliant. It's great having Joe around the place. He is the butt of most jokes on away trips but he takes it well and he knows we love him really. All the boys have big respect for him.
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