West Bromwich Albion coach Michael Appleton has hailed the influence of Nicky Shorey and Steven Reid in their upturn in results.
The Hawthorns assistant boss says the experience of the two 30-year-olds at full-back has given Jonas Olsson and Abdoulaye Meite the chance to quickly re-forge a solid partnership at the heart of defence.
And Appleton has highlighted other areas where former England and Reading ace, Shorey, and ex-Ireland and Blackburn star, Reid, have enhanced the Baggies.
"They have done very well," he told WBA's website. "Going back to the West Ham game, losing Steven Reid on the Friday was a massive blow.
"The reason I say that is the thing you get with him and Nicky Shorey is calming influence. They're experienced, 'Steady Eddies', you know what you will get and they will realise it's not the end of the world if we go a goal behind.
"They bring that sense of belief that it's okay if we stick to our game plan.
"We have a partnership now in the middle of the defence where they look comfortable and like they've played all of the season. What has helped them are the steadying influences at full-back."
Appleton added: "Nicky has fantastic ability in possession of the ball - very rarely does he give the ball away.
"He brings a little bit of calmness and when we're under the cosh sometimes you see defenders clear the ball - and that's what you want sometimes - but sometimes he lets one drop, takes it under control and plays it to Jerome - you're thinking, 'how cool is that?'.
"On the other side, Reidy is almost like a captain without being a captain. Some players don't need a captain's armband to be vocal. He is like that. He's very good before the games and at half-time.
"Players like that are often overlooked as to how important they are."
