Kemp vows: Hawthorns’ stay-aways will be back
DAVE Kemp is confident the stay-away supporters will return after Albion’s enthralling 4-2 win over West Ham attracted the lowest-ever gate for a Premier League weekend game at The Hawthorns.
Saturday’s match attracted a crowd of just 22,209 – only marginally higher than the gate of 22,062 for the midweek clash against Swansea in February.
Albion have since sold out their allocation of 1,600 tickets for Saturday’s short trip up the M6 to Stoke City.
And Kemp reckons the fans will be back in their droves after missing out on Albion’s first four-goal league haul under Tony Pulis in an exciting contest with the Hammers.
“The ones that came loved every minute of it so I’m sure the next home game, some that weren’t here will be back and getting behind the team,” Albion’s assistant manager said.
“If you’re not some negativity build up on that.
“I’m sure the ones that weren’t here were wishing they probably were.
“That’s what being a fan’s all about, unfortunately; some weeks it’s good, some weeks it’s not so good.”
Saturday’s win, secured courtesy of a Nacer Chadli brace and goals from Salomon Rondon and James McClean, initially lifted Albion up to eighth before results on Sunday winning, there’s about, and they knocked the Baggies back down 10th.
“The fans are the most important part of a football club but we’re eighth in the Premier League!” Kemp said on Saturday.
“This is West Bromwich Albion, some clubs not too far from here would love to be in that position.
“They’re not! So, take what want from that.”
Meanwhile, Chris Brunt was delighted to put his injury hell behind him and return to the pitch to you with Albion’s Under-23s – even did make him feel old!
Brunt has been sidelined since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Crystal Palace in February.
But the 31-year-old was back in action as Albion thumped local rivals Villa 5-2 in a keenly-contested Premier League Two clash at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium on Monday night.
“Training’s obviously a little bit different,” he said. “You can move away in training if you don’t fancy if it them but in a game situation you’re never too sure what’s coming.
“It’s a local game as well, both teams want to beat each other, so young lads were flying about out there.
“It does make me feel a bit old to be totally honest. But it was nice to get out there and put yourself through a few different situations.
“I felt a bit rusty at the start but hopefully over the next couple of weeks I’ll be able to get some more game-time and get back into the swing of things.”
Brunt negotiated his first hour of competitive football in nearly seven months in the centre of midfield before being replaced by James Smith.
Although the Northern Irishman suffered a fall, he appeared to come through the match relatively unscathed.
“It was all right until I fell over in the first half, jarred it a little,” he said.
“But it’s OK and I’ve been feeling good in training.
“It was nice to get out there. I’ve been training for the last couple of weeks, but it’s never the same until you get on the pitch again.
“It was OK, I was a bit rusty, gave the ball away a few times in the first half, but it felt a bit better as the game went on.
“It was nice to last 60 minutes so hopefully that’s a step in the right direction.
“It’s important to try and get out on the pitch, get minutes, get myself up to speed and hopefully get back in the first-team plans.
“We’ll see how the next few weeks go, I suppose.”