Clarke eyes squad rotation

West Brom boss Steve Clarke admits he will have to utilise his entire squad as they prepare for a busy festive fixture list.

Last Updated: 05/12/12 at 12:10 Post Comment

Steve Clarke: Is gearing up for a hectic run of fixtures over Christmas

Steve Clarke: Is gearing up for a hectic run of fixtures over Christmas

The high-flying Baggies face a run of six Premier League games in 31 days as they bid to maintain a run of form that has lifted them up to fifth in the table.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea assistant has used 21 players so far this season but has told his squad that everyone will have to play their part in the coming weeks.

He also sent a message to those players who have not featured regularly so far this campaign, revealing they will be an important asset in the season run-in when tiredness and fatigue can be an issue.

"This is when the squad will be tested," Clarke told the club's official website. "They will all be asked to step forward and make their contribution, that up until now, they have all made.

"We have got a good squad with good depth and over the coming weeks it will be used and tested to the maximum.

"There is a group that have played a third of the playing time or upwards and we're in good shape in terms of where we are fitness-wise and availability and having people ready to play.

"As we get to the latter stages of the season, hopefully we'll have players who are really fresh and they can keep the momentum going - that is the key of having a good squad."

Successive defeats against Swansea and Stoke have checked the Baggies' momentum in recent weeks after briefly going as high as third in the table following a 4-2 win at Sunderland on November 24.

Clarke though insists morale remains high in the camp and admits he would have gladly taken their current points haul of 26 had it been offered to him in August.

"I think the spirit at the club should be high at the moment and I said that to the players after the game on Saturday," he added.

"We were disappointed to lose but all I said was that they should be pleased with their efforts given where we are in the league.

"If at this stage in the season you'd have said that we'd have 26 points and we'd be level on points with Chelsea and Tottenham, towards the top of the league, they would have grabbed that.

"I've tried to tell the players that we're not in a bad place and we have to remain positive. In football you can lose games and we could lose the next game but we're still not in a bad position.

"There's no way we can allow negative thoughts to come into our heads."

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Vincent Kompany insists he is staying at Manchester City

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has rejected rumours linking him with a move away from the club this summer.

Torres: Benitez made us better

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is convinced Rafael Benitez is leaving behind a better team than the one he took over.

Pellegrini quiet on City link

Manuel Pellegrini, the favourite to succeed Roberto Mancini as manager of Manchester City, has refused to talk about a move to the Etihad.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved