Right-back relishing longer build-up to Everton game to work with new Hawthorns chief
STEVEN Reid is relishing the longer build-up to Monday's home clash with Everton (ko 8pm) to work closely with new head coach Pepe Mel.
The Spaniard watched the Baggies' four-game unbeaten Barclays Premier League run come to an end at Southampton on Saturday – and will oversee his first training session with the players this morning.
And Reid believes his team-mates should not be lacking in confidence leading up to their game against the Toffees – having recorded a New Year’s Day victory over Newcastle in their last Hawthorns outing.
“In recent weeks in the league we’ve been playing well," said Reid.
“We’ve had a decent run of form with Keith [Downing] and Dean [Kiely] in charge.
“We had a great Christmas and New Year period so the confidence should be high.
“We had a disappointing result against Palace last week in the cup but the feeling before the Southampton game was one of positivity.
“We know the new head coach was in the stands so we were hoping to go on and get a good result like we did there last season.
“Maybe we didn’t do enough to get the win but at the same time maybe we could have nicked a draw."
He added: “It’s just going to be a case of getting down to business this week.
“The Everton game is on Monday so that might do us a favour by giving us an extra couple of days on the training field, getting to grips with the ideas of the new head coach and the way he wants to play.”