Reid looking forward to Baggies reunion

Former West Brom midfielder Steven Reid reminisced about his time at The Hawthorns ahead of Sunday’s return to his one-time employers.
Burnley's Steven Reid during the pre-match warm-up 

Photo by Stephen White/CameraSport

Football - Capital One Cup Second Round - Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday - Tuesday 26th August 2014 - Turf Moor - Burnley
 
© CameraSport - 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.comBurnley's Steven Reid during the pre-match warm-up 

Photo by Stephen White/CameraSport

Football - Capital One Cup Second Round - Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday - Tuesday 26th August 2014 - Turf Moor - Burnley
 
© CameraSport - 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.com
Burnley's Steven Reid during the pre-match warm-up Photo by Stephen White/CameraSport Football - Capital One Cup Second Round - Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday - Tuesday 26th August 2014 - Turf Moor - Burnley © CameraSport - 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - [email protected] - www.camerasport.com

The 33-year-old spent over four years with the Baggies in the Premier League after initially joining the Midlands club on loan in March 2010.

The former Republic of Ireland international, who scored twice for his country, was taken on by Roberto Di Matteo and went on to make 78 appearances in all competitions, netting three times.

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After surviving by three points despite losing four of their final five fixtures last term, Reid said: “I think the best memories were the first couple of seasons being a real success, top half finishes.

Burnley's Steven Reid during the pre-match warm-up 

Photo by Stephen White/CameraSport

Football - Capital One Cup Second Round - Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday - Tuesday 26th August 2014 - Turf Moor - Burnley
 
© CameraSport - 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.comBurnley's Steven Reid during the pre-match warm-up 

Photo by Stephen White/CameraSport

Football - Capital One Cup Second Round - Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday - Tuesday 26th August 2014 - Turf Moor - Burnley
 
© CameraSport - 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.com
Burnley's Steven Reid during the pre-match warm-up Photo by Stephen White/CameraSport Football - Capital One Cup Second Round - Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday - Tuesday 26th August 2014 - Turf Moor - Burnley © CameraSport - 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - [email protected] - www.camerasport.com

“It ended a bit disappointingly last season, it was a disappointing season and disappointing to leave the club, albeit we stayed in the Premier League but it was leaving on a disappointing note.

“But on the whole it was four years of success, the club had been labelled a yo-yo club, up and down most seasons in the Premier League, but on the whole you can look back on four years of success and Premier League football. It was a really good time at the club.”

And Reid sees similarities between the two clubs: “It’s a model that Burnley are no doubt going to be looking at, it was a similar sort of squad. I was involved in the West Brom squad that got promoted when I was there on loan.

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“It is a similar size of squad and club so it’s a model we’re going to be looking at and hopefully we can do that in the next few years.

“It was a real solid group similar to the one we have here, a lot of British players through the spine of the team.

“It is important you have that spine of homegrown players and that can generate that knowledge of the club who can get into those who come in and let them know what it means to the club and the surrounding area as well.”

Reid has made cameo appearances in games against Manchester United and Sunderland this season, and isn’t expecting a starting berth against West Brom.

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“I’m fit, I’ve been fit for all of this season, I’ve had the odd cameo in a couple of the games,” he said. “I’m fit and obviously looking forward to going back to the Hawthorns. I’m looking forward to going back and seeing a few of the old faces, a lot of the lads are still there. It’s going to be good to see them and a few of the staff as well.”

He added: “Obviously the gaffer’s aware of my history of the club and there have been one or two questions about individuals this week but apart from that they’ll do their homework themselves.

“I’m sure my words maybe help a little bit but I’m sure they’ll do their own homework and be fully prepared for the game.

“I knew the situation when I signed, I knew it was going to be difficult to get into the team. Over the last few years I’ve played at right back at West Brom but obviously Trippier has been on fire for the last year or so now and has been one of the shining lights of the team again so far this season.

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“I’m just happy to fill in where needs be, I’m sure there will times this season at right back maybe or central midfield, maybe in the closing minutes of games, the Man United one springs to mind where you do a little job where needs be.”

After three successive 0-0 stalemates, Reid said: “It’s about trying to get that first win now. West Brom are on the back of a fantastic win at Tottenham last week and a win in the League Cup in midweek so they’re going to be on a high but so are.

“We’ve had three clean sheets and in the Premier League that’s some going, so we’re full of confidence as well. Anyone who can string one or two wins together is going to shoot up the league. It’s going to be more a case of seeing where we are after 10 games.”