Steven Reid is ready for the big boys
Monday 21st March 2011, 5:00PM GMT.
Steven Reid has claimed Albion can tackle the Premier League ‘big boys’ with no fear after they handed title-chasing Arsenal a major scare.
The Baggies led 2-0 against the Gunners at the Hawthorns on Saturday before holding on for a 2-2 draw to boost their survival chances.
And, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham to in store in their next four matches, defender Reid reckons Saturday’s game has reinforced Albion’s belief despite their late disappointment.
He said: “At first we were a little bit disappointed but the gaffer brought us around and told us it is a valuable point, which it is.
“Before the game we would probably have taken it and not many neutrals would have given us a chance. Four points against Arsenal this season is decent and we seem to have raised our game against the bigger teams apart from the first game of the season at Chelsea.
“We showed that again on Saturday and we’ve got a lot of big games coming up against Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea and others like that but if we play like Saturday and are resilient from now until the end of the season we will be fine.
“This season lesser teams are playing big clubs and thinking they’ve got a chance now. We have seen results all season that show lesser clubs can get something against the top four sides.
“I don’t think we’ve got anything to fear and if you have a go you’ve got every chance of getting a result.”
Saturday’s results left the bottom seven clubs in the Premier League separated by just three points and Reid believes half the division is still in the relegation battle.
He said: “After the results on Saturday a couple more teams are getting dragged in and even Newcastle will be looking over their shoulders now.
“I don’t think anyone from ninth or 10th downwards will be safe for the next couple of weeks.
“I am looking forward to it. It’s a tense time, as it always is when you’re at the bottom end of the table but, at the same time, you’ve got to enjoy playing in the Premier League every week.”
UK Sport
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