The Baggies might be flying high at the summit of the First Division, but still some of their hard-to-please punters aren't happy. Two home defeats in three outings coupled with a scratchy 1-0 win over Norwich meant booing was the order of the day at The Hawthorns. To make matters worse for Neil Clement the left wing-back has lost his place to new signing Paul Robinson, and has spent the last four games warming the bench. However, the 25-year-old, who arrived for a bargain basement fee of £100,000 and enjoyed a near unbroken run in the team since his arrival in July 2000, is determined to enjoy the battle ahead as he looks to reclaim his place in the promotion-chasing outfit as he told Ian Clarkson of givemefootball.
Q:
THERE LOOKS TO BE SOME REAL COMPETITION FOR PLACES IN THE LEFT BACK ROLE NOW?
A:
That's right and I have a battle on my hands for the first time since I've been here really. The gaffer has signed Paul Robinson, who is a good player, and we also have Alassane N'Dour on loan from St Etienne. You can't disregard young Lloyd Dyer either as he is a good young player. There are now four people competing for one shirt.
Q:
HOW DO YOU SEE THINGS PANNING OUT?
A:
I don't know what the situation will be in the future, but I will just have to knuckle down and prove to the manager that I am the one he should be starting with. It will be a good battle. I was disappointed with the way I played in the Premiership last year and my confidence dropped.
Q:
HAS THAT AFFECTED YOU THIS SEASON?
A:
I came back for pre-season and worked really hard and felt good. I was happy with my form and a little bit disappointed to have been left out following the Sheffield United match as I had scored a good goal against Gillingham the game before. However, I will just have to get on with it and work harder to get my place back.
Q:
ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT THE TEAM HAS RECEIVED SOME STICK DESPITE BEING TOP OF THE LEAGUE?
A:
West Brom is a big club with a big fan base and we are one of the few clubs who have spent money this season so the crowd are expecting promotion. After a good 1-0 win over Norwich, where we played well in the first half but then not so well in the second, I flicked on the radio and heard fans moaning about how we're not playing attractive football. It was the same against Wimbledon last week. We ended up playing as well as we've played all season and lost 1-0. We totally dominated the match, but they scored the only goal of the game from their one chance and we got booed off again.
Q:
IS IT MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE TEAM?
A:
Obviously it is our responsibility to lift the crowd with the way we play, but I was disappointed with the way they reacted, particularly after the Norwich game. Two years ago those fans were magnificent when we won promotion and the noise they made gave you that extra lift and really helped you to kick on if the game was goalless. I haven't heard that so much this season.
Q:
WHAT DO YOU PUT THAT DOWN TO?
A:
The expectations have certainly changed since I arrived, but there are some good teams in this division and no-one is going to run away with the league this year. In fact, I think any one of ten teams could kick on and get automatic promotion. It is all about getting out of this division. Of course we would like to make it as easy as possible and play nice football, but it's not always possible because it is a tough league.
