Baggies out to halt Everton

31 August 2012 13:26
West Brom boss Steve Clarke has challenged his players to "put a little dent" into the euphoria surrounding Everton after their 100% start. David Moyes' side will be bidding for a third successive win in Saturday's Premier League clash at Albion after overcoming Manchester United and Aston Villa. But Clarke wants The Hawthorns to become a fortress and believes the Baggies can also approach the game with confidence after collecting four points from their opening two games. Clarke said: "David Moyes has been Everton manager for a long time and he has made some really astute signings over the last six or seven months. "The Everton team is stronger than it was at this stage last season and I'm sure they are looking forward to this season with a lot of optimism. "They had a great first performance at home to Manchester United and controlled the game really well at Aston Villa. "They will be one of the teams who realistically can look to challenge towards the top six this year. "But it is up to us to make sure we put a little dent in that optimism in the game at the weekend. "The players are confident. It has been a good start. We don't fear anyone. We respect everyone but we don't fear anyone. "We expect a difficult game but I'm sure Moyes and his boys will be expecting a difficult game as well. We hope that will be the case for all the teams coming here, that they know it is going to be a difficult afternoon." Clarke admits the early season performances and results have enabled him to enjoy his first stint as a manager, but he is prepared for when fortunes go against Albion. He said: "It has been a good start. It is my first job where I've been the guy that has got to make the decisions but it has been easy for me because the players have been really good. "Pre-season they worked ever so hard and we got ourselves in good shape for the first part of the season up until the international break. "We targeted the first four games and we are pleased with how we have done. We will look to continue that on Saturday. "Then, after all the players have come back from the internationals, we will have another reassessment of where we are and then we will attack the next period of the season. "It is a job I've enjoyed so far and the good start has helped but I'm a realist. There are going to be games where it doesn't go so well. "But I'm ready and prepared for that. That is why I spent all the time working as an assistant coach and a player and I know the game so I am ready for that."

Source: team_talk