And on-loan striker is ready for Swansea challenge
ROMELU Lukaku insists he is happy with his contribution to Albion’s campaign ahead of tonight’s trip to Swansea (ko 7.45pm).
The Belgium international, who is currently on a season-long loan from Chelsea, scored his fourth goal of the term from the spot in Saturday's 4-2 victory at Sunderland.
And the teenage striker revealed his is pleased to be playing a role in the Baggies’ best start to a season for 59 years.
“I am 19 years old and I am playing at the moment for the team that is third in the league,” said Lukaku," who has scored four goals in three starts and eight substitute appearances.
“I didn’t think I would play this much.
“I’m very calm and the manager can always count on me as, no matter what situation we are in, I will always do my best.
“I am very happy with my goal ratio and though I want to start every game, I have to be patient.
“Shane [Long] is doing well for the team at the moment so it’s up to me when I get a chance to go on and do well for the team.
“Like the gaffer says, everyone that gets on the pitch has to do well for the team and add some more competition for the players.
“Shane and I have a good relationship and he is one of the players I get on with best so I’m really happy for him to score because it is good for us.
“If we can try to beat each other then we can do very well in the league.
“I am learning a lot and I think I’m a much better player than last year or the two years before.
“I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in since I started playing at 16.
“Hopefully I can make something out of that and do well for the team and hopefully help them finish as high as possible.
“As players we are performing well at the moment and we’re near the top of the league - and now we have to keep on going.
“We don’t have to look behind us, we have to look ahead of us."
Lukaku believes this evening’s clash with last year’s 11th-placed Swans will be a stern test for his Albion team-mates.
“We have to take it game by game," he added.
“On Saturday we won and now we have to concentrate on Swansea because it will be a big game again.
“Swansea are a good example as they play some of the best football in the league so they will give us a difficult game, but, if we are grounded and deadly in front of goal, I think we will give any team difficulties.
“We have to keep both feet on the ground because there are other teams in the league who are very strong and have a lot of quality.
“It’s going to be tough, but we want to stay close to the top so we have to go there and get a good result.
“I’m not saying we will definitely win, I’m just very humble and I know it will be very difficult because I know they have a lot of good players like De Guzman and Michu.
“Danny Graham can be a threat as well and I have watched their games to prepare myself for that team.
“I know it will not be easy but hopefully we will get a good result.”