Charlie Austin shares what senior West Brom player told squad after sealing promotion
It was a nailbiting week for West Brom, but they finally secured their promotion to the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
The Baggies didn’t win any of their last four games in the Championship, but the 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers was enough.
Brentford had two opportunities to leapfrog the Albion but crumbled when the pressure was at its highest at Griffin Park.
The celebrations were wild at the Hawthorns at the full-time whistle, as news filtered through to the Midlands that West Brom had finished second.
Celebrations continued from the pitch to the dressing room and long into the night for the Baggies, with Charlie Austin giving an insight into the pandemonium.
The striker detailed what Gareth Barry told his teammates in the dressing room, and admitted that if you don’t listen, you’re a fool.
“Gareth spoke in the changing room and said, ‘You’ve really got to enjoy these moments. You think they’re going to come constantly, but they don’t,” he told the Daily Mail.
“Throughout the season he was always giving little bits of advice. If you’re not using Gareth’s experience, then you’re a fool. You have to use that knowledge and dive into his football brain. When he speaks, you listen.”
If there is one player who knows what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, it is Barry. The former Villa and Manchester City man currently holds the record for the most appearances in the top-flight.
Barry signed a one-month contract extension for the remainder of last season after the enforced break, but it is uncertain whether or not he will stick around at the Hawthorns.
The 39-year-old only featured for 89 minutes in the Championship, but he could definitely add valuable experience in a coaching capacity next season – time will tell.
In other West Brom news, Jeremy Ngakia has responded to a Baggies star on Instagram after promotion was sealed
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