‘The place was buzzing’ – Steve Madeley details visit that left West Brom squad delighted
West Brom have many reasons to feel delighted now that the season has finished and promotion to the Premier League is sealed.
The Baggies finished second in the Championship despite failing to win any of their last four games against relatively simple opposition.
The scenes after the 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers were a stark comparison to those witnessed after the defeat at Huddersfield.
There were many different moments that defined the Baggies’ run to the Premier League this season, and all helped Slaven Bilic’s men.
The Athletic’s Steve Madeley has detailed a number of these moments in his latest piece, and one, in particular, stood out.
It was the Duke of Cambridge’s visit to the training ground midway through the campaign. A decision that was filled with “cynicism”.
“Albion had demolished Bristol City 4-1 at The Hawthorns less than 24 hours earlier and sources report a genuine buzz in the squad at the chance to rub shoulders with royalty the following day.
“Chief executive Mark Jenkins, previously reluctant to take centre stage, warmed to his role as royal host in a signal of his growing confidence, emerging from the shadow of former chairman Jeremy Peace.
“The place was buzzing. The visit was a big success and Albion really felt healed and forward-moving again, said one source.”
Anything that can motivate a squad and leave them “buzzing” is clearly a good sign, and it definitely worked given the 4-1 victory against Bristol City in the build-up.
Sweep aside the fact that the Duke of Cambridge is a well-documented Aston Villa fan, because it appears that he played a big role in one of their biggest rivals sealing promotion to the Premier League.
Who knows, it could even be in the same season that Aston Villa are relegated with their fate in their own hands going into their final day.
In other West Brom news, this Baggies ace could need to improve after Bilic reaction shared to his attitude