Source: Daily_Mail
West Bromich Albion's Nicky Shorey determined to avoid repeat of relegation nightmare
West Brom defender Nicky Shorey is hoping a strong finish to the season from a Roy Hodgson side has him smiling - unlike three years ago.[LNB]In 2008 Fulham won four of their last five Premier League games to overhaul Reading and inflict relegation on the Royals, for whom Shorey played at the time.[LNB]Albion have slipped into the relegation zone ahead of tonight's trip to Stoke - but Shorey is determined his team will be above the bottom three after the final game of the season.[LNB] Drop zone: Shorey was relegated with Reading in 2008 when Hodgson kept Fulham up[LNB] He said: 'We went down on goal difference at Reading when our new gaffer saved Fulham. Going down is never nice and we definitely don't want it to happen here.[LNB]'We don't want to be playing in the Championship after tasting the Barclays Premier League. We've got some tough games coming up so we'll have to dig deep.'[LNB]Hodgson replaced Roberto di Matteo earlier this month - and Shorey acknowledges a change of manager can keep players on their toes.[LNB]'I never like to see anyone lose their job, I really don't. As a player, it's just something I don't like to see,' Shorey told www.wbafc.co.uk.[LNB]'But you also know it's a new chance to show the new gaffer I should be in the team, I'm a good player and I'm worth having about.[LNB]'It's just a renewed energy, especially if you haven't been playing regularly like me.[LNB]'Whereas before you were coming into training, training well and it didn't seem to matter, now, with a new gaffer, it does seem to matter.[LNB] Tough ask: Hodgson has been tasked with keeping West Brom in the Premier League[LNB]'Obviously, the new gaffer's got to fast-track everyone into thinking the way he thinks and set us up the way he wants us to play.[LNB]'It's going to be difficult in the first few games but hopefully we can learn quickly and implement his ideas.[LNB]'He's exactly the same as he was at Fulham. His methods have served him well so I'm sure he won't be changing too much now.'[LNB]On tonight's match, the 30-year-old added: 'It will be very tough. Size does come into it and I suppose the gaffer will have to put a team together to win this game.[LNB]'But I feel whatever size you are, if you play your own game and make sure you're tight defensively, you can handle it no matter what size you are.[LNB]'We want to emulate Stoke by staying in the division but I think it is two different styles of play with the way they go about the game and the way we do.[LNB]'Their style works for them and fair play to them. We obviously think we can do it another way.[LNB]'But we've got to be more resolute and the gaffer is working on us in training. The lads are trying to implement what he wants us to do on the pitch.'[LNB] Stoke v WEST BROMWICH: Hodgson with a full squad to choose fromSTOKE v West Bromwich: Etherington unlikely to feature for Baggies clashOdemwingie backing West Bromwich to handle pressure of relegation scrapAll the latest West Bromwich Albion news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Nicky Shorey, Roberto Di Matteo
