Club News

Lukaku heaps praise on team-mates

Debut delight - but striker expects fierce competition

ROMELU Lukaku dished out praise to head coach Steve Clarke and his new team-mates following Albion’s 3-0 triumph over Liverpool at The Hawthorns. 

The Belgium international, who joined the Baggies on a season-long from Chelsea eight days ago, wrapped up a spectacular week by following up his midweek strike in his country's 4-2 win over Holland with a debut goal for Albion just nine minutes after stepping off the bench.

But the 6ft3in striker believes the victory over the Reds in their Barclays Premier League curtain-raiser was borne out of the preparation masterminded by Steve Clarke.

“The most important thing about today was the three points but the way we passed the ball and the way we defended was perfect," said Lukaku.

“Liverpool played well in certain parts of the game but we did what the head coach asked us to do and we pushed up.

“We were defensively very good and when you work that hard and score goals it’s very rewarding.

“All credit to the head coach and the team because we prepared ourselves really well for this game.

“Our head coach expects a lot from us.

“He wants lots of wins and also wants us to get as many points as possible.”

And Lukaku insists Albion cannot get carried away by the result as they begin to look ahead to next Saturday’s trip to Tottenham (ko 3pm).

“We need to be humble and work hard each day with hopes of getting a result on the weekend," he added.

“It was good for confidence to score and we will enjoy today and tomorrow but on Monday we will begin preparing for Tottenham, which I’m sure will be a very difficult game.

“Let’s hope I can continue to score goals for the team and we can get another good result.”

But the former Anderlecht forward believes he will face tough competition for a starting berth at The Hawthorns.

“The strikers at this club are going to have to work really hard every day to get in the team," he insisted.

“I like to use my strength and pace to my advantage but also I like to add a bit of trickery too.

“Hopefully I can improve on those aspects of my game and become a complete striker.”