Baggies Boing Boinging

Sitting pretty in 6^th place West Bromich Albion are being considered by many to be this season’s surprise package.

Steve Clarke took over at The Hawthrons during the summer, following Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England coach, and has assembled a side that have impressed all in their 17 games so far, 8 of which they have won.

The West Brom job is Steve Clarke’s first role in management but after working as an assistant to Ruud Gullit, Jose Mourinho and Kenny Dalglish respectively it looks as though the step up from number 2 to number 1 has not been a struggle for the Scotsman.

Clarke was handed a tough opening day fixture to a squad which has, largely, stayed the same but a 3-0 home victory over Liverpool, also under a new manager, has set the tempo for the Midlands club, known for yo-yoing between Premier League and Championship in recent years, a solid foundation to push for a top 8 finish, maybe even top 6.

There is a clear level-headedness that Steve Clarke brings to his management style and his squad know there can’t be dreams of a European place until they have surpassed the 40 point mark. The 4 consecutive wins in November, that saw Steve Clarke named as Premier League manager of the month, went a long way to at least keeping West Brom in the top flight for another season.

Sam Jewell

Follow @sw_jewell

Sitting pretty in 6^th place West Bromich Albion are being considered by many to be this season’s surprise package.

Steve Clarke took over at The Hawthrons during the summer, following Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England coach, and has assembled a side that have impressed all in their 17 games so far, 8 of which they have won.

The West Brom job is Steve Clarke’s first role in management but after working as an assistant to Ruud Gullit, Jose Mourinho and Kenny Dalglish respectively it looks as though the step up from number 2 to number 1 has not been a struggle for the Scotsman.

Clarke was handed a tough opening day fixture to a squad which has, largely, stayed the same but a 3-0 home victory over Liverpool, also under a new manager, has set the tempo for the Midlands club, known for yo-yoing between Premier League and Championship in recent years, a solid foundation to push for a top 8 finish, maybe even top 6.

There is a clear level-headedness that Steve Clarke brings to his management style and his squad know there can’t be dreams of a European place until they have surpassed the 40 point mark. The 4 consecutive wins in November, that saw Steve Clarke named as Premier League manager of the month, went a long way to at least keeping West Brom in the top flight for another season.

Sam Jewell