26th November, 2012
Before Saturday, the last time West Bromwich Albion had won four top flight matches on the bounce, Bryan Robson was marshalling their midfield and Cyrille Regis was banging the goals in up front.
Margaret Thatcher was British prime minister, best-selling arcade game Pac-Man was released, and 65 nations, led by the United States, boycotted the Moscow Olympics.
However, that the 2012 vintage matched the exploits of that 1980 side at the weekend with a 4-2 win at Sunderland may surprise casual observers, but not those who have been studying Steve Clarke’s team.
Perhaps drawing inspiration from the Latin motto on the town of West Bromwich’s coat of arms which translates as ‘work conquers all’, the Baggies have hustled and harried a number of teams out of their way, their number already including Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea.
Saturday’s win at Sunderland bumped them into third place in the Premier League table with 26 points, above the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, and nestled just below the giants of Manchester – United and City.
Nigeria’s Osaze Odemwingie, who is part of this historic team said: “West Brom can only get better. I’m enjoying my game now.”