Euro heartache inspires Brunt’s Baggies revival
Knee injury was gutting but I needed a break, says key midfielder
CHRIS Brunt believes the cruel knee injury that forced him to miss Euro 2016 might actually be paying dividends this season.
The 32-year-old West Bromwich Albion stalwart suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage during the win over Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns in February last year.
The injury came seven days after the Northern Ireland international was hit in the face with a coin thrown by a Baggies fan after the dismal FA Cup defeat to Championship side Reading.
Fast-forward 12 months, Brunt and Albion face Palace at home on Saturday but in very different, far more harmonious circumstances. Brunt is one of several thirty-somethings in the form of their lives while Albion are eyeing seventh place in the Premier League, and a possible place in Europe.
“Things have gone well since I came back from injury,” he said. “I had to work hard over the summer to get back in.
“Missing the [Euro 2016] tournament in the summer was gutting, but in hindsight maybe it wasn’t a bad thing.
“It’s given me a chance physically to do stuff in the gym and work hard and possibly get a bit stronger.
“It gave me the first break I’ve had in probably 12 years of playing firstteam football. Maybe it was my body telling me I needed a bit of a break.
“Hopefully I’ll benefit from that. I feel good, back in the team contributing, and that’s what I’m here to do.”
Brunt has added balance and composure on his return to the Baggies team in November, while his set-piece delivery is up there with the best in the Premier League.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc simply could not cope with Brunt’s corners during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at The Hawthorns. It was the source of Gareth McAuley’s winner, after the Polish keeper dropped the cross, and of panic for the Bournemouth backline all game.
“I don’t necessarily think it was just me,” Brunt said. “The delivery from both sides is generally pretty good.
“It’s something I’ve done throughout my whole career. I take corners and, if a goal comes from great.
“The lads go and attack the ball really well and I’m sure when teams line up against us they know we’ve got a big side, an athletic side as well, and boys that want to head the ball. When we get a corner, we do a lot of work on them so we know if we put it in the right area we’ve a good chance of scoring.’’ it, then