And Baggies midfielder set to face former boss
ZOLTAN Gera believes if Albion are to be successful against QPR tomorrow (ko 3pm) they will need to find a way to keep his former strike-partner Bobby Zamora quiet.The duo forged a lethal partnership during their time together at Fulham, reaching the 2009/10 Europa League Cup Final.
But they will now line-up against each other at The Hawthorns with Gera determined to stop Zamora and his bottom-of-the-table Rangers team-mates spoiling the Baggies’ 100 per cent home league record this term.
“I enjoyed playing with Bobby; he is a great player and a good man,” he said.
“Sometimes we exchange messages.
“We had a great time in a few years together at Fulham.
“He’s a big threat, he is a very strong player, can score goals and is two-footed.
“He can also hold the ball up well for his team-mates, which is a big bonus for the team if you are using him well.
“Hopefully we can keep him quiet tomorrow.”
The Hungary international added: “I expect a very difficult game because they haven’t won a league game yet.
“I’m sure they will get better as the season goes on because I think they just need time to get all the new signings used to each other.
“Hopefully we will continue the way we have started at home in the league.
“The supporters are giving us tremendous support and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
The Baggies midfielder will also be up against his former Cottagers boss Mark Hughes, who will be hoping his side can pick up their first top-flight victory of the campaign on a ground where he has never won in five attempts as a manager.
“He’s an experienced manager and I’m sure he will turn it around there,” said Gera, who will be looking to make his third successive Barclays Premier League start.
“He has a good coaching staff with Mark Bowen and I expect more from QPR.
“They need points, there’s no question about that.
“But we need to be hungrier than ever as this is a dangerous game for us because they need a win so badly.
“But we want to win more than them and hopefully that shows tomorrow.”