Gera repays manager's faith
FLIPPING MARVELOUS...Gera celebrates his goal in typical acrobatic fashion
By Oliver Bhurrut
GARY Megson claimed Zoltan Gera had every right to feel on top of the world after he repaid his faith by firing Albion to a vital 2-1 win against Bolton.
And the Baggies manager also revealed it had always been his intention to hand club captain Darren Moore his first Premiership start of the season against Sam Allardyce's side regardless of Darren Purse's suspension.
Megson preferred Gera to Jason Koumas, who was originally demoted to the bench in the 16-man squad he selected on Thursday but missed out altogether through an ankle injury sustained in training yesterday (Friday).
And Hungary skipper Gera grabbed his chance with both hands as he set up Kanu's 56th-minute opener before heading Albion's second nine minutes later to make it two goals in his last three Hawthorns encounters.
"It was a choice between playing Jason or Zoltan," said Megson.
"We've got 34 players to choose from and there are no sacred cows.
"Zoltan's a good player and it was purely my choice.
"I selected the team on Thursday.
"Jason was due to be on the bench but he felt his ankle a little bit yesterday."
Megson was full of praise for former Ferencvaros hero Gera's all-action display.
"Zoltan has got great talent but he's not particularly strong," he added.
"You want to play him but you worry a little bit about his physique.
"The Premiership isn't the ideal place to learn your trade but he's got a terrific talent, great feet, a terrific strike and an eye for goal.
"We know he can head the ball like he did for his goal and that's why we got him to attack the near-post space.
"He's scored and made our other goal so he can be very pleased with himself - and we're very pleased with him."
Megson, who was forced to field an under-the-weather Martin Albrechtsen at left-back, insisted his decision to start Moore demonstrated the flexibility of his new-look Premiership squad.
And the Jamaica international certainly came good as he won the physical battle with Les Ferdinand.
"Darren was always going to play against Bolton," said Megson.
"Who he would have partnered would have been my choice.
"But you could see why we played him. Bolton put the ball in there and they are very difficult to handle with Les up front.
"Darren's done terrifically well. He headed a lot of balls away, as did Thomas Gaardsoe and other people.
"Any other time, Martin would have come off because he is ill. But he stayed on and gave us everything he'd got until his legs went.
"In terms of Darren's performance, that was right up his street.
"I feel we have got a squad now where we can pick horses for courses."
