Express & Star

Darren Moore delighted with West Brom home opener

Boss Darren Moore expressed his delight at Albion being handed a home opener to the new Championship season.

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Darren Moore (AMA)

The Baggies will kick-off their campaign on Saturday, August 4, when they host Bolton at The Hawthorns.

It will be Moore’s first game since being appointed the club’s permanent head coach in May.

The 44-year-old initially took charge following Alan Pardew’s exit in early April and won plaudits after taking 11 points from six games, though he was unable to save Albion from the drop.

Moore said: "It's great to be at home for the first game of the season.

"No matter what game it was, it's always going to be a tough one, it always is for the first game of the season but I'm looking forward to it.

"The good thing for me, the football club and everyone connected to the football club is that the first game is a home fixture in front of our home fans."

A busy few weeks is expected at Albion as Moore looks to rebuild his playing squad ahead of the new campaign.

He added: "The fixtures, dates and times, of certain particular games will come in due course.

"For me and for us all here at the football club, let's just focus on that first fixture of the new season. And focus all of our energy and attentions on that.

"I'm really pleased, as I say, that we're at home on the opening day. It's the start to a very, very tough Championship campaign.

"It's all the excitement, we all know where we are now in terms of the fixtures - there's no speculation, what ifs, we could get that game or this game..." Darren added.

"The fixtures are there for all to see and there's a real excitement and buzz in the air.

"But I'm just focusing on having a good pre-season and obviously looking forward to the start of the campaign."