Former West Brom favourite Jonathan Greening feels current crop lack fight

The 39-year-old, who was part of the Great Escape campaign in 2004/05, is surprised that head coach Alan Pardew remains at the club.

But he’s also questioned the character of the squad that is currently eight points adrift of safety.

“It’s looking a bit grim at the moment,” Greening told the Express & Star.

“The games I’ve seen they don’t seem to have that many characters in the team to dig in when things are going against them.

“On Saturday they went 1-0 up but when that second Leicester goal went in they seemed to down tools a little bit.

“The difference between now and when I was there is we had some real characters who wouldn’t give in, Kevin Campbell, Geoff Horsfield, Andy Johnson, Paul Robinson.

“We had arguments all the time, but they don’t seem to have that fight. There was a good team spirit in the Great Escape year, everyone fought for each other.

“Nigel Pearson and Bryan Robson both believed we’d stay up and the fans played a good part. There doesn’t seem to be that atmosphere inside the club.

“Brunty had his say a couple of weeks ago, that’s what it needs, people who care, people who are passionate.

“I haven’t seen every game, but those I have seen there’s a lack of fight.”

Although Pardew announced he was going to speak to the board after the 4-1 defeat to Leicester, he has clung on to his job despite seven successive defeats.

“I am a little bit surprised,” admitted Greening. “In this day and age managers don’t get given a lot of time.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Pardew. I’ve played against him for other clubs and speaking to a few players, training is well organised and really good, he’s always prepared.

“For some reason it’s not clicking into play on a weekend when it needs to.

“Considering the results I am surprised they’ve not changed it up. I wish him all the best though, I hope the results turn around.”