Striker hopes he can score important goals for the Baggies
VICTOR Anichebe admits he has not yet reached his full potential at The Hawthorns – but hopes staying injury-free for the remainder of the season will be mutually beneficial for himself and Albion.
The 25-year-old forward scored his second goal for the Baggies in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool and has been involved in all three of Pepe Mel’s games in charge after a groin injury saw him miss the previous six weeks of fixtures.
And the 6ft3in powerhouse hopes a return to full fitness will coincide with a hot-streak in front of goal as Albion look to climb the Barclays Premier League table.
“Hopefully I can be the man who scores the goals we need,” said Anichebe.
“We’ll see how it goes.
“I’ve always said if I can stay fit I can score goals.
“I scored against Liverpool and I’m hoping I can chip in with a few more before the end of the season.
“I don’t have targets in terms of goals, my only target now is to stay fit.
“I seem to have a lot of niggles, but nothing serious.
“These things happen.
“For now I need to keep working, playing and stay fit.
“Hopefully if I stay injury-free I will become more consistent.
“I feel I have a lot of unfulfilled potential.
“I know how far I can go.”
The Baggies take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday (ko 3pm) and Anichebe says every game from now until the end of the season is important – whether it be against fellow strugglers or title contenders.
“Saturday is really important,” he added.
“But I think every game from now until the end of the season is going to be.
“It doesn’t matter who it’s against, whether it be Crystal Palace or Chelsea, when there are points up for grabs it is important.
“Everyone from 11th to 20th is fighting.”
Anichebe is enjoying learning from Mel and is embracing his new style of play.
“We’re only three games into his reign.
“We still have plenty to learn from him.
“He’s bringing lots of new ideas to the table.
“I’m enjoying playing for him.
“We are playing differently to how we played before and different to the way the team played when I was at Everton.
“It is good for me to learn a different style of play.
“It can only benefit me as a player.”