Defender ready for back-to-back home fixtures
BILLY Jones insists his team-mates have already proved they are up to the challenge of competing with the Barclays Premier League’s best sides – as they prepare to host 2011/12 title-winners Manchester City tonight (ko 8pm).
The Baggies recorded a 2-1 win at current champions Manchester United in September – prior to impressive displays in draws with table-toppers Arsenal and second-placed Chelsea.
And the 26-year-old right-back, who returned from a hamstring injury at Newcastle on Saturday, says Steve Clarke’s outfit are more than capable of again upsetting the applecart this evening.
“We know we’re good enough to compete with the top four and all of the big teams," said Jones.
“We’ve already proved that this year and we go into the game with confidence having already done it against United this year.
“We played well against Arsenal at home when we feel we were the better side and maybe even deserved the three points.
“So we go into the game with confidence and nothing to lose because I imagine everyone outside this club thinks they’re going to win.”
Jones believes City are the best team he came up against last season – but remains hopeful Albion can take all six points from their next two home games – with Norwich visiting The Hawthorns on Saturday (ko 3pm).
“I feel that in the last couple of seasons, when we’ve played them, they’ve been the strongest squad we’ve come up against.
“It will be interesting to see how they look on Wednesday night.
“First and foremost we’ve got to concentrate on how we play as a team.
“If we play well and everyone works hard I’m sure we’ve got a chance of getting a good positive home result.
“We go into every game positively and we’ll see what we can get out of it.
“We have two massive home games coming up and six points is the aim.”