West Brom: Leon Barnett determined to make it a season to remember

Aug 9 2009 By Chris Lepkowski

“I can’t speak for the others but the style of football was so different to the Championship, the pace was quicker and the quality was obviously better.

“But I’ve played in the Championship and I know what to expect this season.

“I have to work hard at weaknesses and try to learn from what I did. It was a big jump from one division to another.

“With hindsight, at the time I was probably more suited to the Championship.”

Barnett believes Albion’s defending improved when Youssouf Mulumbu was handed his debut by Tony Mowbray.

Although the defensive midfielder signed in January, Mowbray resisted the temptation to throw him in straight away.

Mulumbu has now signed permanently and Barnett is hoping his presence will help to end the club’s defensive frailties.

“Youssouf is a defensive midfielder and if he has come to the club they must have seen something in him to make them think he can be a success,” he continued.

“Personally I think we do need somebody like Youssouf to protect the back four but it’s not down to me who is in the team or what positions they play.

“It’s down to the manager and he has those decisions to make.”