West Bromwich Albion have Premier League pedigree - Tony Mowbray

Mar 4 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

TONY Mowbray believes a 'hardcore' of his West Bromwich Albion side would be good enough for the Premier League.

The Baggies take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough tonight knowing promotion is back in their own hands, mainly due to the number of games played, their superior goal difference and the prospect of teams above them all having to play each other.

Mowbray feels that, should Albion win promotion come May, then his squad will already boast several players of Premier League pedigree or potential.

"There are certain areas of the team that would need addressing but generally we have got a hardcore of players who could play in the Premier League, in my opinion," said Mowbray.

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating and you know when you get up there it is going to be tough. But I think the technical ability of some of the players in our squad could cope with the Premier League."

Stoke's defeat on Sunday at QPR, who have played two more games than Albion, and the compartively inferior goal difference of leaders Bristol City and third-placed Watford, who have played one match more than Mowbray's men, means that fourth-placed Baggies can gain the upper hand if they continue to pick up points.

The situation is further tipped in Albion's favour due to Stoke, Watford and Bristol all having to play each other during the final few weeks of the season, with the Baggies' only game against the top three coming at home against the Hornets.

"We are coming to a stage where teams are in the last 11 or so games and every match is important now," added Mowbray.

"We are playing Sheffield Wednesday, who are third-bottom in the League but if you've watched them you'll know they've got some decent players and are fighting for their lives.

"The League itself shows that anyone can beat anybody and if you look at the league and think you should win yet you don't compete then you will get beat because they are more than capable of beating anybody at home.

"It's a tough fixture but one we believe where we can go there and get the three points and put pressure on teams around us," he said.