Jonas Olsson: This is my best West Brom side

Baggies stalwart Jonas Olsson says this current Albion squad is the best he's played with in his eight seasons at the club.

The Sweden centre-back was part of the team that finished eighth in the Premier League under Steve Clarke and also featured heavily in Roy Hodgson's impressive side.

But he reckons that this squad, currently sitting 13th in the table, is the strongest in the club's recent history because of the teams it is up against.

"We had a really good season with Roy and the first season with Steve," said Olsson.

"It's always difficult to compare but if you look at how the league has changed since then, all the teams coming up are spending money and have really good squads. I think the league is more competitive now than it was five years ago.

"The squad we have now is better in terms of the depth in the squad."

The influx of TV money has given all Premier League clubs the ability to compete in the transfer market.

Stoke City are 10th in the league but in January they spent a club record £18.3 million on midfielder Gianni Imbula. It was the most expensive signing of the window throughout the whole of Europe.

It has been an unpredictable season in England's top tier, but the fact last season's champions Chelsea are sitting in ninth proves how far the mid-table clubs have come.

"Teams are getting more competitive," said Olsson. "No disrespect to Stoke, but they've got great footballers at that club, and it's the same with us.

"Four or five years ago maybe we didn't have the finance or the possibility to attract players like Jonny Evans, Salomon Rondon and Darren Fletcher.

"In that sense, Stoke, West Bromwich and Leicester have grown so much in the last few years."

Olsson is on 249 appearances for the club and can reach 250 this weekend at home to West Ham.

"I haven't really thought about it," said the centre-back. "Maybe it's something you can reflect on after your career. "

"I'm proud of being here eight seasons and most of the seasons have been a success.

"Hopefully I can get to 250 and even more than that. I don't look at stats but when you look back it's been a long time here but really good memories."