West Bromwich Albion clash appeals to Huddersfield Town skipper Clarke

Dec 5 2009 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN might have missed out on the prize of Premier League opposition in the third round of the FA Cup.

But as far as skipper Peter Clarke is concerned, two out of three ain’t bad.

Lee Clark’s men are at home – always the first priority – and in West Bromwich Albion, the centre-back believes he and his teammates will be taking on a top-flight team in waiting.

The Baggies have boing-boinged between the Premier League and Championship in recent seasons, and having dropped down in May, are looking good for an immediate return.

Roberto Di Matteo’s men go into today’s game at Derby County second to Newcastle United, the side Town pushed hard in the second round of the Carling Cup back in August, and on the back of a four-game winning streak.

Clarke and Co were beaten 4-3 at St James’ Park, and the former Southend United man, who enjoyed a stirring FA Cup third-round tussle at Chelsea last season, when the Essex side forced a replay by drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge, reckons Town can do even better in the Saturday, January 2 clash.

“It’s an interesting tie, no doubt about it,” said the Southport-born 27-year-old who had a loan stint at West Brom’s Midlands rivals Coventry City while at Everton.

“They were in the Premier League last season, and there’s every chance they will be back there next.

“They have a manager who likes to play attacking football, and a look at the league table (39 scored in 18 games and a goal difference of 24) tells you what they’re about.

“West Brom’s stats are similar to ours, and it’s a meeting of two teams who like to pass the ball and attack, and with a but of luck, the fans will see a really good game.

“It will be tough, but we gave a good account of ourselves up at Newcastle, and just like that game, playing West Brom will provide a good gauge of where we’re up to in terms of our progression as a club.”

Swiss-born Italian international Di Matteo, whose 43-second goal helped Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the 1997 FA Cup final, took over at The Hawthorns in the close-season, following Tony Mowbray’s departure to Celtic.

The 39-year-old, who guided MK Dons to the League I play-offs last season, when his side beat Town 3-1 at the Galpharm in August before a 1-1 draw in the return match in March, has already make his mark – and Clark is impressed.

“Roberto is a young manager I really respect,” said the Town chief.