Premier League: West Brom can easily finish top half

Steve Clarke has engineered a fantastic start for West Brom

West Brom are exceeding expectations under new boss Steve Clarke, but just how far can the Baggies can go this season?

When Clarke was appointed as Baggies boss, eyebrows were inevitably raised over the Scotsman's managing credentials after so long playing the role of best supporting actor at his previous clubs. 

The uncertainty was enhanced because of the damage to the coach's reputation inflicted by his involvement in Liverpool's worst ever Premier League campaign as Kenny Dalgish's number two.

However, the evidence to date - West Brom's best start to a top tier season in 29 years - suggests those eyebrows were lofted a little prematurely, as the Baggies currently reside in fifth place in the Premier League after Monday night's 2-0 win over Southampton.

All credit must be given to Clarke, who has clearly imparted his vast coaching knowledge from spells at Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool to great effect since his arrival in the west midlands. 

Five wins from six home games - including convincing triumphs over both Merseyside clubs - indicate that this side are going to be incredibly difficult to beat at the Hawthorns this season.

Only Manchester City have claimed their scalp at the Hawthorns in the league and even that victory required two goals in the last 11 minutes to snatch away the points from the hosts, who had led.

It's not just the results at home which will delight the faithful either. West Brom play fast, entertaining football, often on the counter attack, using the pace of players such as Peter Odemwingie, Romelu Lukaku and Shane Long up front to devastating effect.

So it's no surprise that this trio have all contributed a hat-trick of league goals to the tally. 

Odemwingie, incidentally, should be confident of adding to his brace against Southampton by registering away at Wigan at likely odds of around 3.613/5 on Saturday afternoon.

It's this strength at home which will see West Brom finish comfortably ahead of the relegation zone come May and more realistically turn their attentions towards a top-ten finish, for which they can be backed at 1.865/6.

Suspect away form will likely prevent a sustained challenge on the Europa League places though, with no win in four on the road to their name so far.

Well, you can't have it all.