And boss sweating on Morrison fitness
STEVE Clarke is refusing to get carried away with Albion’s Barclays Premier League start – but believes they are fully worth their ten-point haul from five games.Today’s 1-0 victory over Reading has lifted the Baggies up to third in the table, only behind second-placed Everton on goal difference.
And Clarke’s men have rewritten the Albion record books by becoming the first side to start a top-flight campaign with three successive home clean sheets.
“The start has been pleasing,” said the Hawthorns boss.
“I don’t look at the table. I look at the ten points from five games.
“I think it’s a good return and a fair return.
“I think it was important to make a good start.
“We spoke pre-season about how 47 points was a good standard and it was important for the players to come into the season feeling confident and like Premier League players.
“I think we’ve done that.
“But the aspirations are the same.
“The only aspirations I have at the moment are to get another team together to play Wednesday night in the Capital One Cup, which we look forward to.
“Obviously, we’ve got a difficult league game coming up next weekend in Aston Villa as well.
“So, we just go from game to game.
“There will come a point in the season where hopefully we can look at it and assess where we are and put some definite targets down.
“The primary objective for 75 per cent of the Premier League is to reach the margin of points that will keep you safe.
“That’s what we’re after.”
James Morrison limped off with a leg problem after 61 minutes against the Royals and he will be assessed tomorrow ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup third-round tie with Liverpool (ko 8pm).
“He just felt a little niggle in his leg,” Clarke added.
“I haven’t had a medical report yet.
“We’ll assess him tomorrow.
“It happened to be a good time to make a sub anyway - and when it’s going for you that’s the way it works.”