WBA plunge paying off for Hodgson

30 December 2011 16:16

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson admits his "bold decision" to return straight back into management after being sacked by Liverpool has been justified after his success at the Hawthorns during 2011.

Hodgson was appointed only 37 days after end of his spell with the Reds and steered the relegation-threatened Baggies out of danger and this season they are currently occupying a top 10 spot.

Hodgson, whose side host Everton on Sunday, said: "I think the highlight since I came here is the general way things have gone since coming here in February."

He added: "It was a relatively bold decision after leaving Liverpool to jump straight back into management - especially at a club that was in danger of relegation. That bold decision paid off and I've enjoyed it and the team has had success."

Hodgson has a record of 12 wins, 11 losses and nine defeats as Albion boss and he admitted: "I think I'm proud of that record.

"I'm most of all proud of the fact the players have responded to the way we like to work and they've shown themselves to be better players than they were originally given credit for.

"That is something that is very satisfying but it is an ongoing process. You can have moments in times like this one where people are saying good things about you and the team and you've got to be happy with that.

"But you've also got to be aware that unless you keep it going it is going to change and people are going to start questioning and criticising the work. The most important thing we can do is keep our feet on the ground, remain humble and most importantly keep in sight what we are doing that is giving us this relative success."

Hodgson, whose side have taken seven points from the past three games, added: "All success is relative. To be frank, we don't harbour ambitions of winning the league, certainly at the moment. But we do harbour ambitions of finishing the season well and getting a third successive season in the Premier League which will be a first for the club.

"All firsts for the club are good. Don't forget, this club has had a fantastic record down the years. If you look at the record books, there are plenty of successful periods for West Brom. But this is the modern era and it would be a first in this modern era."

Source: PA