JAY Rodriguez believes his competitive relationship with Dwight Gayle can spur Albion on in their ascent of the Sky Bet Championship table.
J-Rod netted a brace as the Baggies overcame Wigan Athletic 2-0 on Boxing Day - taking his goal tally to 12 for the campaign - just one behind Dwight Gayle, who fired a hat-trick on Saturday at Rotherham United.
On his stunning second, he said: “It popped up nicely and I just thought, ‘hit it cleanly and get it on target’.
“Thankfully it went in because I thought it was an important time for us to get that second goal.
“I tried not to think about it too much and just get a good connection. It was nice that it went in and I’m buzzing with it.
“Goals always make me happy and you want, as a striker, to score as many goals as you can.”
Our deadly duo have struck 25 goals in just 24 games so far. And Jay says his team-mate is always giving him a bit of friendly banter in the race to be Albion’s top hot-shot.
“Me and Dwight are always at each other, he’s probably more at me than I am at him!” said Jay.
“To be fair I can’t believe he crossed it into me, I thought he might have a shot. I’m only joking, it’s good fun.
“It’s obviously a shame he’s pulled up, I think with his hamstring, but he’ll work hard to get back and we need him back as soon as possible.
“We know what a threat he is. We have a good healthy relationship throughout the team and everyone wants everyone else to do well. It’s really good to have that competition and I’m enjoying it.”