Source: PA
Hodgson: Team must share burning ambition
Roy Hodgson has urged his West Brom side to embrace "the burning ambition" of everyone at the club to stay in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Albion sit one place and once point above the relegation zone heading into Monday's tough trip to Stoke. While they are only three points off 13th position, the Baggies are also just three off bottom-placed Wolves.
Hodgson, whose side drew 1-1 with Wolves courtesy of Carlos Vela's added-time equaliser last weekend, insists everyone involved is aware of West Brom's precarious position and expects the players to step up in the remaining 11 matches of the season.
"I don't think anyone needs to keep highlighting the fact this is not an easy job," Hodgson told his club's website. "People have been understanding and sympathetic of that so far. People within the game, the media and other managers realise what the job is.
"But, most importantly, we need to get over to the players how important the job is, so that they understand that their desire and fear of failure must be every bit as great as that of the board and the staff.
"They have to share our burning ambition to stay in this league because they can actually affect it. If I was to go on the evidence of my one game in charge, I'd say there is that burning ambition because we were by no means bullied in a strong, physical game against Wolves - in fact we got an equaliser."
