Coventry City striker Freddie Eastwood has said he will be ready for abuse when he appears for the Sky Blues at The Hawthorns this evening.
As a former Wolves player, Eastwood is desperate to start more games rather than coming on as substitute, often coming on too late to have an influence on the game. He went on in the 90th minute of the 1-1 home draw against Plymouth Argyle when, he admitted, "I could and probably should have scored."
The last time Eastwood started a game was in the 4-1 defeat at Newcastle where he was substituted by Jon Stead.
Stead has become City boss Chris Coleman's first choice striker since his loan move from Ipswich in January, but Eastwood is eager to regain that place.
The Welsh international striker has admitted he has been pestering Chris Coleman for a recall and the opportunity to add to the seven goals he has notched this season. He said, "It's been very frustrating. It takes its toll when you're sitting on the bench and you see the boys winning or drawing games because you want to be out there with them."
"When I was fit and scoring goals I felt really sharp and on my game. I thought I was in good form against QPR, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, at least in the first half when we played well. I want to get back to that and I've constantly been in the gaffer's office, asking why I'm not playing."
"I've had five or ten minutes here and there but I've been on for a bit longer in the last couple of games and I had half an hour at Leicester on Sunday. I think I'm playing well enough so I hope I get a start, but whatever happens I'll put it down to experience."
"Last year I played almost every game but didn't get enough goals; this year I haven't played as much as I'd like to but I've scored a few; next season I hope I can come back fitter and sharper and play every game."
Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman did confirm that Eastwood has been pestering him saying, "Freddy's the same as any other player, they all want to be in the team and it's difficult for them when they're not, but we've raised the bar by bringing in two new strikers in Jon Stead and Freddie Sears and Clinton Morrison has been doing well. Whoever's playing the best will get his chance, and Freddy's got to make sure that when he gets his chance he takes it."
Coleman dropped hints about starting with a 4-5-1 formation tonight. Michael McIndoe is definitely out injured and Aron Gunnarsson is doubtful, there could be a place for Eastwood to play in the midfield. If he were to feature, he could be a target for the Baggies fans who used to torment him when he played for West Brom's Black Country rivals Wolves.
"I used to get a bit of stick there when I was with Wolves, "laughed,Eastwood, "but then I get a bit of stick from most away fans. It probably affected me a bit when I was younger, but I don't take too much notice of it now, I just get on with it. The nice thing about going there is that you know it will be a good game. They're one of the best teams in the division for keeping the ball and attacking and they always look like they're going to score goals, I can't remember the last time they didn't."
"They have lost at home this season so they're not unbeatable. Anything can happen on the night and if we can keep them quiet and get in amongst them we could nick a goal, but we can't start like we did on Sunday, West Brom are a better side than Leicester so we could find ourselves three or four down."
Eastwood, who didn't start against Leicester was spared Coleman's half time tongue lashing
"It wasn't nice in the dressing room," he said. "The manager had a go and we needed it, to be honest, because Leicester were passing it around as if we were statues, but in the second half we got stuck into them and we looked a good side while they looked ordinary."
"We made some changes and could have won it in the end, and that might happen tonight. If we can keep them out as long as possible we know that we'll get a chance against them. At some stage there will be a cross whizzing across the box - and hopefully I'll be there to tuck it in."