And Clarke says midfielder has settled in well
STEVE Clarke expects Claudio Yacob to continue doing what it says on the tin after his impressive bow in English football.The Argentina international was handed his competitive Baggies debut in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool and walked away with the man-of-the-match award after winning his battle with Steven Gerrard and Co.
And Clarke has praised him for combining the dirty work with his quality on the ball so effectively in Albion’s engine room.
“He's settling in very well,” said Clarke.
“The Argentinians have a great mentality.
“They're a strong nation and the players tend to settle in well.
“It's a similar game - a tough, physical league over there.
“He and Youssouf Mulumbu were really good at the weekend.
“I think he's shown in training and the games that he's played that he is what we thought we'd get - he's an Argentinian No.5, who breaks up play and keeps the ball for his team.
“That's the characteristics for that position and it's what he's done.”
Clarke has also been impressed by the way the former Racing Club Avellaneda ace is also getting to grips with life off the pitch in England.
“He's getting English lessons and he's starting to understand what I say - if he can understand what I say then he's doing well,” the Albion chief joked.
“I might join him for English lessons myself!
“He's working on the language and he hasn't been a minute's bother since he got here.
“There are one or two Spanish speakers at the club so it's not a problem.
“We also have a very good welfare system for the players.
“We look after them as well as we can, maybe too much, although that tends to be the modern way.
“There is a good system here for the foreign boys.
“His other half is here and her English is very good - so that can help - and his dog is also coming over. “