Club News

Long happy at home again

Striker hopes Albion can continue impressive Hawthorns form

SHANE Long hopes Albion’s flying home start is a sign of good things to come after disposing of Liverpool and Everton comfortably.

The Baggies struggled to find their form at The Hawthorns last season – winning just six games and losing ten.

But their opening two games against Merseyside’s big guns this term has already brought five goals without reply and six points.

It leaves Steve Clarke’s men are sitting third in the Barclays Premier League table during the international break.

“When the fixtures came out and we had a new head coach in, and you look at last season and we had easier fixtures and got no points from three games, it is a great return,” said Long.

“It's nice to put the effort in day in day out on the training pitch and then take it onto the pitch.

“We’re not getting carried away.

“We're confident in our ability.

“The international break means we can relax a bit with seven points under our belts.

“Obviously it's a great start but we've another 30 or 40 points to get before we're happy.

“Home points are good because we relied on our away form a bit last year.”

The Baggies striker has also been quick to praise the Baggies’ backline, who have only conceded one goal in their first three games.

“We've had two clean sheets and the only goal we've had against us was a deflection against Tottenham,” he added.

“Jonas was man of match on Saturday.

“We've got Ben in goal too - it just shows how good we are at the back.

“He hasn't had to make too many saves and he likes it that way - he'll be happy with that.

“Any keeper will tell you that.”