Clarke Looking Forward To Premiership Risk

Steve Clarke has said he's perfectly happy to have removed the safety net so he can challenge himself on the big stage in football.

Speaking to the E&S Clarke said that whilst the safety net has gone now he is the head coach and not simply an assistant, he isn't too worried about the coming season because of how well he knows the league.

'It's a league I know very well. I've worked a long time as a coach so I know the players and the teams, the systems and the way a lot of managers play. I choose a slightly different path as I wanted to become a good coach and then see what developed. As I got more comfortable I started thinking 'I wouldn't have done that' and started thinking a little bit more about how I would affect a team. I could still be sitting at Chelsea now as assistant, but I want to take away the safety net.'

Still making all the right noises isn't he. A good start to the season is required though to remove any doubts that some fans have and I'm pretty sure we'll get that. I still think plenty will be surprised with how good Clarke will turn out for us, the only question mark really is the pressure when we will inevitably have a dip in form and results. He'll have experienced that before obviously, but it'll be a world of difference now the axe will be hanging over his head. But I think he'll do well.

Vital West Brom on:

Vital West Brom on:

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