Eddie Newton has called for 100% commitment from Albion’s players as they resume their league campaign at home to Reading on Saturday (KO 3pm). The Baggies suffered their first defeat at the Hawthorns last time around with Newton hoping his men turn their home ground into a fortress once again.
The former Chelsea midfielder is eager for the Baggies to send out a statement of intent after a mini-slump which saw Roberto Di Matteo’s men pick up a solitary point out of a possible nine. Now, with fourth-bottom Reading next up, Newton is urging his men to put their bodies on the line if it means achieving three valuable points against the Royals.
"This game is very important," Albion’s assistant said.
"We need to send out a message to everyone that they're going to have a hard time when they come to our place.
"We've made sure the players understand that.
"If you're going to do anything in this league, you need to put your body on the line at home to make sure that, if we're not going to win, the opposition sure aren't going to.
"Everyone has to have that mentality when we play at home.
"We're going to be strong and hard to beat - but we're still going to play our football.
"However, first and foremost , you've got to earn the right to play.
"That's a big thing because, coming down from the Premier League to the Championship, it's mentally easy to think you're better than everyone else and that you can step in and just do it.
"But the Championship is a very, very hard league and I think the boys have done well so far."