Chris Brunt talks about ‘lunatic’ Jonas Olsson who is a great guy off the pitch
Chris Brunt has shared that Jonas Olsson was horrible to play alongside at West Brom but a real good guy away from the pitch.
Olsson and Brunt starred as vice-captain and captain together during a memorable period for Albion, with the team finishing 10th and eighth in 2011/12 and 2012/13 respectively.
Olsson is fondly remembered by Baggies as a result, and Brunt has revealed what he was like in training during his nine-year spell at West Brom.
Brunt told the Express & Star, “Nobody knew too much about Jonas when he arrived. I had been away on international duty and came back and was like ‘who is this guy, he is a bit of a lunatic’. But then he grew on everybody.
“He is an angry, angry man on the football pitch and that was the same in training as well.
“Away from the place he is a great guy. He phoned me the other day, we keep in touch.
“On the pitch, though, he is horrible. He was horrible to us as well – it wasn’t just the opposition.
“He’s a nutter – but a great guy.”
A real character
Brunt and Olsson were big players for us during our best spell in recent years.
Looking back we may have taken them for granted as we would give anything to have players like them in the current squad.
There seemed to be great camaraderie amongst that group – Olsson and Brunt staying in touch shows how close they were.
Liam Ridgewell also spoke to The Baggies Podcast recently about how strong the squad spirit was – that is something that seems to be lacking currently.
There is an absence of players with the mindset and leadership skills of Brunt and Olsson – they were players who would really put teammates in their place when a mistake was made.
Brunt also told the Express & Star of a moment when Olsson punched him in the ribs and told him to concentrate on his own job when he criticised a teammate.
It is a remarkable story but highlights Olsson’s ruthless attitude to winning.
We need more of that in the squad and hopefully our summer transfer strategy focuses on adding that type of character.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips makes transfer claim amid latest speculation.
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