Jimmy Shan's passionate rallying cry urges West Brom fans to be 'heroes' in play-off second leg

The Baggies caretaker has promised his side will show plenty of fighting spirit as they look to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg against rivals Villa.

But he wants the sold-out home end to re-kindle the atmosphere of 1993, when the Baggies beat Swansea 2-0 in a play-off second leg at home after losing the first leg 2-1.

“The local rivalry is hopefully going to fuel the intensity of that atmosphere and make it hostile to ensure that they get right behind us,” said Shan.

“It is of vital importance and I’m sure that it will be an incredible atmosphere.

“We need however many fans we have got in the stadium to become heroes. The football club needs to be united.

“This football club when it is united, special things can happen and I am expecting something special to happen on Tuesday night.

“When they are behind us there is no better place,” added Shan. “They can really, really get the place rocking.

“When I’ve spoke to Albion fans they keep throwing back to me the game in 1993 against Swansea.

"It was the same scoreline and the atmosphere there people tell me is the best it’s been for years and it has not been bettered.

“I have got every bit of faith that our performance on the pitch will better that and the performance of the supporters will better it as well.”

Albion spent almost an hour of the game at Villa Park in the lead after Dwight Gayle’s early goal.

But two Villa goals in four minutes plus Gayle’s red card late on handed the advantage to Dean Smith's men.

Shan said: “There was definitely some positive signs from our performance and with just one goal in it, we have got 90 minutes to take them back to a packed Hawthorns and hopefully the environment on Tuesday night will spur us on.

“It’s important that the fans have some patience with our performance.

"We have got a game-plan that we are looking to execute and we need to make sure they are right behind us from minute one until the final whistle.

“We need them, we need the power of the fans to be right behind us and to be that 12th man.

“When you have momentum shifts in the game and the fans are behind that, it magnifies that to the opposition. It is a cliche, but they are vitally important.

“It’s vitally important that they come to The Hawthorns and enjoy the occasion also. It’s a Play-Off semi-final.

“There’s one goal in it, we are one step away from going to Wembley, we are one step away from making history. They can definitely be that extra man, they can definitely be a lift for the players.”

Shan also confirmed that Craig Dawson, who was forced off at half-time on Saturday with dizziness, was fine on Sunday and trained today.