West Bromwich Albion against Wolverhampton Wanderers is a fixture which “needs no introduction” according to Baggies defender Darnell Furlong.
The local rivals go head-to-head at The Hawthorns on Sunday lunchtime in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup, having last faced each other in front of supporters 12 years ago.
Furlong appeared in both encounters with Wanderers in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign when the Baggies won 3-2 at Molineux and drew 1-1 at home.
The 28-year-old believes The Hawthorns is a “great place to play when it’s full and rocking” and insists he and his team-mates will be doing all they can to ensure Albion fans are rewarded for creating what Darnell expects to be a “crazy atmosphere”.
A quick word with @DarnellFurlong, fresh off the training pitch. 🗣 pic.twitter.com/JrBWjACnUA
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 26, 2024
Furlong said: “It’s a massive occasion. These are the games you want to play in as a player.
“You want to be a part of it and we know just how much it means to the fans and to the club.
“We experienced this derby in the Premier League, but without the fans there. I can’t imagine it was the same as it usually is, so we’re all really looking forward to the game and the atmosphere.
“It’s a fixture which doesn’t really need any introduction. The manager and the coaching staff haven’t really had to say anything to us. We know what it means and we’re all fully aware of how big the fixture is.
“You bump into people from around the area or at player appearances that we go to, they mention this game to us and were saying how big it is, while also wishing us the best of luck.
“It’s nice to be reminded, but we don’t need to be reminded.
“The atmosphere is going to be crazy. When the Hawthorns is full and it’s rocking, it’s a great place to play.
“That mixed in with their fans and the rivalry between the two teams, it’s going to be quite a feisty one out there.
“Wolves have got some real quality. Premier League quality. They’re really organised and they look like they’re in a great period of the season.
“They’re a good team with some very strong players, so we’re all looking forward to coming up against them and we’re going out there to win, as always.
“It would be brilliant to win on Sunday. Just getting through to the next round and progressing in the FA Cup would be lovely, but to do it in such a big game against your rivals, I’m sure it would send the fans nuts.
“It would be a really nice experience if we can do it.”
