And boss lays down gauntlet ahead of Fulham trip
STEVE Clarke has described his squad as ‘complete’ as he prepares his players to face a Fulham team he insists is packed with talent.The Baggies head to Craven Cottage tomorrow (ko 3pm) with competition for places never stronger.
And the Albion chief has now called on his men to give him selection headaches, as he looks for summer recruits Scott Sinclair, Lee Camp, Diego Lugano, Victor Anichebe, Morgan Amalfitano, Matej Vydra, Stephane Sessegnon and Nicolas Anelka to quickly settle in.
“The squad now is complete, it is full,” said Clarke.
“All I want the players and squad to do is make my job difficult.
"I want them to show that every day in training they are ready to play.
"I want them to show in matches they deserve to play, I want them to show when they come on they deserve to be involved.
"I want them to get the results for the club - and that's what we're going to try and do."
He added: "If you understand footballers you know they can settle quickly and get on with their job.
"Lee, Victor and Morgan already feel part of the squad and we had a big introduction day yesterday, the only one missing was Diego who was travelling back from South America after international duty.
"We have done all the introductions and will be ready for the weekend."
He quipped: “We will stagger the initiation songs on Friday nights at away games - one a week!”
The Cottagers started the season with a 1-0 win at Sunderland but have since lost their opening home game 3-1 to Arsenal and suffered a 1-0 reverse at Newcastle.
And Clarke is eager to make amends for last season’s 3-0 defeat on the banks of the Thames.
“There are not too many teams who relish going down to the Cottage,” he added.
“It’s a difficult place and Fulham’s strength in the Premier League has been built on their home form.
“Their home form is excellent.
“We went down there on the same weekend last season and got turned over.
“We have to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
“They’re a big team and can cause problems at set-plays and in open play.
“They have a good, strong midfield.
“I like their midfield; I worked with Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell - they are two good players.
“I’ve got Berbatov, who can give you something for nothing and Adel Taraabt, who can do the same.
“Kacaniklic had a couple of really good games against us last year and looks a big, big prospect.
“So, they have good players.
“But we’ve got good players in our team, and it’s up to us to make sure we go down there and get a positive result.”