Clarke always had high hopes

Steve Clarke: Two wins from two home games for new Baggies boss

West Brom manager Steve Clarke feels his team have already shown that they were unfairly written off ahead of the new season.

Despite two mid-table finishes, Albion were tipped by many to struggle this season after the exit of Roy Hodgson and another understated summer in the transfer market.

Clarke's lack of management experience was also expected to be a factor but the Baggies are unbeaten in their opening three games.

They followed up a win against Liverpool with a last-gasp draw at Tottenham before beating an on-form Everton side 2-0 at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

And the 49-year-old believes any suggestion his team could have a difficult season was unfair on the players at the club.

"It didn't faze me when we were written off," Clarke told the Birmingham Mail.

"There is still a long way to go so it's not something to get carried away with. But I do think it's unfair to say this group of players will struggle.

"Last season they finished 10th on 47 points, the previous season they finished 11th on 47 points so those are good solid Premier League seasons."

Confident

He added: "I'm an optimist so I was always confident of getting something from these games.

"You have to believe that if you show enough quality then you can get something.

"It's not been a lucky seven points, but a well-earned seven points."

Clarke felt able to leave club captain Chris Brunt and opening day goalscorer Zoltan Gera on the bench against Everton but the move paid off and the Baggies boss stressed it is a squad game.

"If you're winning games it's easier to make team selections," said Clarke.

"The lads know the situation. We will need everyone.

"I stressed that from the beginning in pre-season - everyone will be involved.

"At the moment we have certain players playing and some not playing but that might change at various points of the season."

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