Club News

Clarke urges players to break record

And head coach is looking forward to Upton Park trip

STEVE Clarke has called on his players to match last season’s points total as soon as possible – with a view to bettering that figure in their remaining fixtures. 

The Baggies picked up 47 points last term and a victory at West Ham on Saturday (ko 3pm) would leave seven games to set a new Barclays Premier League club record return.  

The head coach, who has seen his side bag ten points in their last five games, also believes there is no reason to question his players’ desire as the end of the season fast approaches. 

“We are professional – we want to finish as high as we can,” said Clarke. 

“The next target for us is to get more points than we did in the last two seasons, which is 47. 

“If we equal that on Saturday it will give us seven games to better it. 

“We want to finish as high up the league as we can and no-one should question our commitment or desire to do well for the last eight games.”

The Baggies boss spent two seasons at West Ham as assistant to former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola.

And Clarke is looking forward to returning to Upton Park for the first time as a head coach.

“Yes, it will be good to see a few old faces,” he added. 

“Kevin Keen has got more of an association with West Ham than me as he was a player and a coach there.

“But I enjoyed my time at West Ham. It was good. 

“The second season was difficult. 

“But I learned a lot and it stood me in good stead for the job I am doing here.”