West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray is expecting a fully fired-up Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Sunday burning with desire for their Black Country derby revenge.
Mowbray could only stand and admire in October when, in his first game in charge, the Albion team he had just inherited swept aside Wolves 3-0. It was arguably even easier for the Baggies when they repeated the scoreline to earn a comfortable FA Cup fourth-round passage just 40 days ago. But, with a new-look Wolves side to contend with this time, and one that is on the charge after five consecutive wins, Mowbray admits that the ring of fire may have turned in Wolves' favour.
"It's a tough challenge because the last time Wolves lost was when we beat them," he said. "But the two 3-0 wins we have had over them are not a burden for us.
"I'm sure it's a motivating factor for them but, for us, there is no search for motivation. The challenge is to go and try and repeat it.
"Derby games hold no fears for us. They are good games to play in, in front of good crowds, big stadiums and you hope you can get positives from your own environment and that supporters don't get too nervous.
"We have a target and a goal to achieve over the next ten games so we know what our motivation is. But we've got to apply ourselves as we have been for the last two months or so and I think we'll be fine. The players have shown the characteristics that you require — the confidence, the belief in each other, the preparation and the professionalism required.
"You need your best players to perform. The ones with the strongest moral fibre are encouraged and have the ability to play to come to the fore and we need our big players to keep playing."
Mowbray admits he is looking particularly at Diomansy Kamara and Jason Koumas, one of only two survivors from Albion's last successful league trip to Molineux in December 2001.
Both have already proved this season that they are capable of destroying Wolves and Mowbray wants more of the same.
"You need those big players to step forward and say 'Here I am, give me the ball', he said. "Hopefully, the Koumases and Kamaras will help us win lots of games between now and the end of the season.
"You can get sucked into fear football and become less expansive, you can get sucked into fights and scraps and physical confrontations and that's not what we're about. We have to keep believing in the way we can play and I'm confident that we can win many matches playing that way.
"Jason needs to keep believing in what he's achieved so far. He needs to keep playing the expansive game and be creative as he has. He's found a level of consistency which is high. He's made goals and scored goals.
"He went through a period where he was creating chances, then he seemed to be scoring every week. He has a capability to score great goals — he has that ability.
"I'm delighted for him individually in winning his award this week, but I'm more interested in the team winning accolades rather than individuals, as I'm sure Jason is. He will want promotion more than an individual award."
