Mel makes Albion pledge

PEPE Mel has called on everyone to pull together as he gets to grips with the challenge he now faces after four games as Baggies boss.

The club have drafted in extra help over the last 11 days in the form of first-team coach David Gomez, who worked with Mel at Real Betis, and loan striker Thievy Bifouma from Espanyol.

And the Hawthorns chief says the entire squad is going to be needed if 18th-placed Albion are to escape the bottom three and secure Barclays Premier League survival over the course of the 13 remaining games.

"The transfer window has now closed and we must work with the players we've got, along with the fans and everyone else - we need to achieve this altogether," he said.

"David is very important as in the fact he speaks perfect English and knows the way I like to train.

"Of course I am working with Keith Downing on a day to day basis but it's very important to have David here also.

"All of the players have an important role to play. We will need all of them in the remaining 13 games."

Mel has also made it clear he has never shied away from the magnitude of the task he faces in his first job in England.

"I was aware this was a difficult challenge," he insisted.

"This year the Premier League is extremely tight.

"I knew we had Everton, Liverpool, Aston Villa and tomorrow we play Chelsea. 

"We also have Manchester United and have to play in London against Arsenal, and play Manchester City at their stadium. 

"The fixture list is quite tough but I'm no wimp and West Brom brought me here to keep them up - I am going to achieve it."