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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Matthew Ketchell

‘Bryan Robson took us to Florida to unwind before 2005’s Great Escape, then results changed’ to this day Robert Earnshaw admits he has no idea how West Brom avoided relegation 20 years ago having been bottom at Christmas

West Brom Robert Earnshaw EPL Florida Portsmouth Southampton Crystal Palace West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion Fans celebrate on the pitch after avoiding relegation at the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth at The Hawthorns on May 15, 2005 in West Bromwich, England. .

Only four clubs have managed it, but Bryan Robson’s West Brom side of 2004/05 were the first to survive relegation, having been bottom at Christmas. Rob Earnshaw played a significant role in this historic feat, contributing 11 league goals in 18 starts for the beleaguered Baggies.

“I still don’t know how we pulled it off!” admits Earnshaw, 20 years on speaking to FourFourTwo. “The manager who signed me, Gary Megson, was sacked halfway through a difficult season.

“Nobody had ever stayed up after being rock-bottom at Christmas, but that motivated us. We had nothing to lose.”

Survival Sunday

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