Meite: I don't want to leave Baggies anymore now Roy's here

27 April 2011 15:27
West Bromwich's revival under manager Roy Hodgson has persuaded defender Abdoulaye Meite he has a future at the club.[LNB]Having been on the verge of leaving in the January transfer window, the 30-year-old now hopes he can earn a contract extension - there is an option for another 12 months on his current deal - come the end of the season.[LNB]The Ivory Coast international has featured in a seven-match run which has seen the Baggies beaten just once and taken them to the verge of Barclays Premier League safety.[LNB] Getting stuck in: Meite (right) wants to stay at the Hawthorns now he is playing games since the change of boss[LNB] Prior to Hodgson's arrival in February Meite had not played in the league this term and that situation almost forced the player out of the Hawthorns.[LNB]'Yes, I did think I might need to leave,' he said. 'It was hard for me but I've tried to be professional because I'm a footballer. This is life.[LNB]"I had a chance to leave in January. There were a few things but I said I preferred to stay here and would then see in the summer.[LNB]'Football, you can be the hero one day and on the floor the next day. I was on the floor but now I'm playing I am okay.[LNB] Good job: Hodgson has secured the Baggies safety in the Premier League when they looked dead and buried[LNB]'I am happy here and yes, of course, I would like to stay. I know I have had something to prove to the fans, to the club and to myself.[LNB]'This is now my time to try and do it. I still have a few years left. I am confident of playing some more.'[LNB]Unsurprisingly, Meite fully backs Hodgson, who arrived at West Brom after a torrid six months at Liverpool, to continue the progress at the club.[LNB]'I want to stay because we have a new manager and he can do a good job here,' he said. 'He is experienced, he is strong. He knows what we need to do.[LNB]'Our shape is stronger and different and he talks with everyone in the squad and he's there all day and all of the night for us.[LNB]''He's good for us and good for the club. He did a good job at Fulham, taking them to the Europa League. He can do that here.'[LNB] West Brom boss Hodgson admits new players are needed this summerSimon Cox's wonder goal puts the boing back into his step with the BaggiesWEST BROM FC

Source: Daily_Mail