Mowbray wants 'foothold' back

Baggies boss remains defiant

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 4th December 2008

Mowbray wants 'foothold' back

Mowbray: Luckless at present

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Tony Mowbray believes West Brom's season would get back on track if they can find a 'foothold'.

The Baggies have slipped to the foot of the Premier League table after taking just one point from their last seven games.

They are, however, yet to get cast adrift and remain only four points from safety.

With that in mind, Mowbray is hoping his side can bounce back from consecutive defeats when they play host to Portsmouth on Sunday.

Hard-luck

"I don't want to get sucked into hard-luck stories," the Albion boss told the club's official website.

"Portsmouth are getting a few players back now.

"Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch are back up front and Lassana Diarra will be back very soon.

"Niko Kranjcar is now back and got half a game the other day.

"They are getting their team back on the field just at a time we are about to play them."

No fear

West Brom's previous encounter with Pompey came in last season's FA Cup semi-finals and Mowbray is hoping his side can acquit themselves in the same manner as they did on that day at Wembley in April.

"We have played Portsmouth in a huge game when everybody was fit and, while we didn't win the match, we know there is nothing to fear," he added.

"They have a different strikeforce now in Crouch and Defoe, which is formidable, but it's a game we will look forward to.

"They have a good squad with some top international players.

"They have lost Harry Redknapp and Tony (Adams) has taken over but it's a good game for us.

"It's a home game and we've got to try and get a foothold back in this league by getting points on the board.

"Let's hope we can get the right result and push on."