Club News

Myhill: ‘Trust’ factor key to new deal

Keeper delighted he will be part of Albion's future

BOAZ Myhill says the ‘trust’ Steve Clarke has shown in him was a key factor in him signing a new Albion deal.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who has committed his future to the Baggies until 2016, is also eager to remain part of a club he thinks is going places.

And he is relishing the prospect of continuing to work alongside England international Ben Foster under the guidance of goalkeeper coach Dean Kiely.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new deal,” said Myhill, who has penned a two-year contract, plus a further year’s option in the club’s favour.

“It’s a great positive for me to be offered a new contract and I’m thankful to the club, head coach and staff for the support they’ve shown me.

“I’ve played 70-odd Premier League games and it’s a big ambition of mine to play more.

“I’m obviously well aware of how good Ben is.

“He’s gone from strength to strength this season and the challenge is for me to be ready when I’m needed.

“Hopefully that’s what I’ve done so far.”

He added: “It’s a great challenge for me here.

“First and foremost the working environment is great and I really enjoy working with the other goalies – Ben and Luke [Daniels].

“Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time here.

“It’s as good a club as you could ever hope to work at every day – and that’s why I’ve chosen to stay here.

“Obviously, Steve Clarke has seen something in me that he likes so that’s great news for me.

“The gaffer has been good with me all the time.

“There are different ways managers can show faith in players.

“He put me in the team and showed faith in me when he needed me.

“Most importantly he says he trusts me and when he needs me to play I have his trust, which is massive for a player.

“That was a big factor in signing a new contract.”

Myhill admitted he was uncertain about his Hawthorns future after joining Blues on a season-long loan in the Championship last term.

But he feels he is stronger for the experience and insists he is a better keeper now than when he joined Albion from Hull for an undisclosed fee in August 2010.

“I’ve had an up and down time,” he admitted.

“I was kind of out of it a little bit last year, went away worked hard and came back.

“I was unsure about my future here when I went to Blues.

“It’s just the way football works.

“The club benefitted from it and I did, so it was a win-win situation.

“I got to play some games and I enjoyed playing for Birmingham – it’s a good club.

“But this is where you want to be.

“You want to strive to be the best you can, play as high as you can, and that’s why I want to stay here.

“I am 100 per cent certain I’m a better goalkeeper now than when I first signed here – that is without question.

“The coaching I’ve received and the quality of conditioning work I’ve had has helped me improve – there’s no denying that.

“Hopefully I can continue that.”

And the Wales international has praised the work of goalkeeper coach Kiely on the back of what he says is a one-for-all, all-for-one culture at the club.

“The working environment is good, the dressing room is great and there are a lot of people’s company that I enjoy,” Myhill added.

“Everything here is geared to success and we’re well looked after.

“Everybody gets the same chance and it’s up to the players what they do when they get the chances.

“My focus is preparing to play at the highest standard I can when required.

“Players have different roles in clubs.

“My role at this present time is first to be as prepared as I can if and when I’m needed and, secondly, to help Ben as much as possible – and that’s what I’ve done.

“The working environment with Dean for me is another big factor in me staying here.

“Dean is a hard worker, a hard task master, his service is quality, and he has great experience himself so you can always talk to him about different scenarios.

“He’s great as well, so it ticks all the boxes really.”