Mowbray: First match will be one of our biggest

Mowbray: First match will be one of our biggest


West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray says his side will be fully prepared for life in the Premier League by August 16 when they step out in front of 65,000 fervent supporters at the Emirates Stadium.

In contrast, their first game in last season’s successful Coca-Cola Championship was away to Burnley at Turf Moor, a match which they lost.

But Albion have come a long way in the past 12 months and there is no danger of the Baggies, or their manager, freezing on their Premier League return - despite the collective respect they have for Arsenal’s skilful players and astute leader.

Mowbray said: “Every game is huge. I am looking forward to it and the team will be ready. Going to the Emirates Stadium is tough and will be a great test for us early on but we will go into it believing we can compete in the division and hopefully we will come out of it with some points and confirmation that we can compete in the division.

“Not many teams go to the Emirates and leave with points, so that is the challenge It is a fixture that I was looking for, of course. In my opinion, they are one of the best teams in football and have some of the best players in the world, particularly Cesc Fabregas.

“But it is a game where we can see where we are and gauge the heights we will have to achieve if we are to do well in the division.”

The Albion side that runs out next month will have a very different look from the one that secured promotion in May - but Mowbray insisted that whoever is in it will be under the leadership of Jonathan Greening, despite reports suggesting the captain’s armband might be on its way elsewhere.

Mowbray said:I don't know where those reports came from, to be honest. I thought Jonathan was outstanding last year. Sitting here today, I do not envisage any change in the captaincy for the new season.

confident manager = confident team IMO