Dean Kieley: West Bromwich Albion can establish themselves in Premier League

Apr 30 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

DEAN Kiely believes newly-promoted Albion can eclipse his former club Charlton by becoming a prosperous Premier League club.

The 37-year-old made 248 appearances for the Addicks during a six year spell at the Valley, helping the club become an established member of the top flight.

Kiely feels Albion have the potential to emulate the south London club who, at the time, were managed by Alan Curbishley.

The Albion No1 sees no reason why Tony Mowbray's men cannot spend next season consolidating their position in the Premier League, rather than fighting against the threat of relegation.

But he insists that Mowbray is given an opportunity to splash the cash as Albion prepare to pick up in the region of £50million following their promotion, although he claims there will be no room for egos in the Baggies' dressing room.

"When I played at Charlton we were never involved in a relegation battle or a six pointer - we finished between seventh and 14th in the six-and-a-half-years I was there," Kiely told the Birmingham Mail.

"This club has all those ingredients but a little bit more.

"Obviously there are things we need to work on and we need to turn the screw on certain things a little bit harder - I'm sure we will do that - but it's a also a big deal that the manager gets a transfer kitty and the blend will come from the people he brings in.

"I can't imagine many big egos or superstars coming in - it'll be the right players and the right people who come in.

"We all trust the manager implicitly with the choices he has already made and those he brings inover the future."

Kiely believes Albion must ensure they take all three points at Queens Park Rangers this Sunday - a result which would hand them their first League title since 1920 - and maintain the momentum next season.

"It's important that you start the season well just like Bristol City did this season," he added.

"You can take the winning momentum into any division you go into.

"What we did at Chartlon every year was hit the ground running and made sure we got off to a good start.

"We don't want to be at the wrong end of the table and I'm very confident things will pan out for us and work out."