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It's official - Steve Clarke is the top boss, says West Brom coach

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Albion fans have been told the team could not be in better hands then award-winning boss Steve Clarke.

Clarke was named November's Manager of the Month yesterday just as he grapples with the task of ending a three-game losing streak which has taken some of the wind from Albion's sails.

But assistant Keith Downing urged Baggies fans not to panic in paying tribute to Clarke's "seamless" transition from predecessor Roy Hodgson's ground-breaking regime.

"I know that we are in good hands," said Downing. "Steve is a thoughtful man, he analyses everything.

"When I first walked in we were a yo-yo club and since then we've made progress. We have to maybe deal with the expectation now – not so much from our own supporters, who are knowledgeable, but more the national media hype around it.

"He doesn't get too carried away with three defeats and he was pretty level-headed after four victories."

Downing has hailed Clarke's quiet style in a division of major personalities which has given the Baggies the chance to break even more ground this season.

"The difficulty with Steve coming in was always going to be following Roy," said Downing.

"I've worked with both men and the biggest compliment I can give to Steve is that the transitional period was seamless."