Steve Claridge tips West Midlands to shine

Steve Claridge has claimed the West Midlands' big four can go from strength to strength in the Premier League after tipping the quartet to stay up.

Albion's promotion to the Premier League means the Baggies, Wolves, Villa and Birmingham will all be in the top flight next season for the first time since 1984.

While Villa are an established force among England's elite, Blues and Wolves will be desperate to avoid suffering a bout of 'second season' syndrome, while Hawthorns boss Roberto Di Matteo will be determined to avoid the fate suffered by predecessor Tony Mowbray by going straight back down.

But former St Andrew's and Molineux player Claridge believes there is every chance the quartet can re-establish themselves as one of the country's footballing hot-spots.

He said: "Can they all stay up? Undoubtedly. West Brom are in good nick.

"They have still got to learn to defend, which ultimately is what cost them dear in the Premier League last time.

"They will have to defend better than they did last year in the Championship too, but they'll always have a chance of getting goals.

"They have some outstanding players and have a good squad. If they add three or four more they'll stay up.

"Wolves have shown what hard work, good organisation and a good manager can do. They'll have to improve, no doubt about it, because the same again might not be good enough next year.

"I'm sure Mick will undoubtedly address the problem of not scoring enough goals. Birmingham look a side on the up and you now view them in a different bracket. They're part and parcel of the Premier League.

"I don't hold any fears for them."

Claridge, now a pundit for the BBC, expects Villa to continue progressing under Martin O'Neill and believes his former manager at Leicester isn't getting as much credit as deserved.

He said: "Aston Villa are at a bit of a crossroads. I'm not quite sure where people think Villa should be because, for me, they had another great year.

"They went to Wembley twice and were knocking on the door for fourth. People should remember what things were like four years ago - the general malaise that had encompassed the place - and think about the feel-good factor now.

"They'll keep building and hopefully keep going the right way."

All in all, Claridge, who also counts Walsall among his long list of previous clubs, has predicted a season to savour for fans from the region.

He added: "It's a true reward for real good fans, working-class, passionate people. All four clubs have great fan bases but they're all different in their own ways.

"It's going to be a great year. I remember when I first came to this area lamenting there was only one team in the Premier League. Now, all of a sudden, their fortunes have changed.

"Everybody is going to love the derbies and the local games, although it doesn't make life any easier for any of them."

Claridge was at Villa Park for the official send-off for the Pukka Pies England Band before they head to South Africa for the World Cup.