Mowbray demands Baggies respect

The Baggies boss is aware that his side are widely tipped to make a swift return to the second tier after a solitary season back in the Premier League.

The club have yo-yoed between the top two divisions in recent times, unable to consolidate themselves among England's elite.

As a result, West Brom are likely to be regarded as little threat by many of the sides they will face next term.

However, Mowbray is desperate to leave that image behind, starting with the season opener away at Arsenal on Saturday.

"I don't get star-struck or awe-struck," Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail.

"I keep saying that I want us to be recognised for the achievements we've had and we deserve to be in the Premier League.

"Otherwise the press will do the quaint story of 'little old Albion' going off to play Liverpool or Manchester United as lambs to the slaughter.

"It is important that we change the perception and show that that's not the case, that we have got every chance of winning the games we're going into and it isn't a question of just going and enjoying the day.

"We have to earn that right with performances on the pitch and if that doesn't happen this year we will get portrayed as a little club just enjoying their season in the Premiership but getting back to reality next year.

"From my perspective we've got to make sure that in every single minute of every game the supporters, the players and everyone else involved with the club have to make sure that they aren't just 'little old Albion' enjoying the season.

"We are under no illusions. It's a difficult game for us but we won't show any fear.

"We go into it as positive as we can and you never know, sometimes on the opening day of the season you get strange results. We need to be ready and I'm sure we will be."

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