Hoult feeling the pressure

The Baggies are in the second automatic promotion place in Division One, but only by a single point after their goalless draw with Sunderland on Saturday.

Gary Megson's side will face an almighty scrap to get back into the top flight with a whole host of clubs battling it out for promotion.

Hoult says that the players are well aware of the fans' expectations, but they are ready to deal with that.

"There is a lot more expectation on us this season due to our year in The Premiership, and that is something we've got to learn to deal with," said Hoult.

After their Carling Cup heroics in Newcastle during the week, Hoult admitted that the players were tired against Sunderland.

"All the lads were very tired.

"It's hard enough playing two fixtures in such a short space of time, let alone against the calibre of opponents we've faced.

"But the main thing is that we did not lose and our home form is nothing to be concerned about.

"We won our first six games here and there's no reason why we can't put together another run."

The Baggies also face a Carling Cup clash with Premiership champions Manchester United next month, and although they are looking forward to the tie, Hoult insists they will not be getting distracted by the arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"The Carling Cup could become a distraction - if we allow it to."

"Some people might say it would have been better for us to have lost at Newcastle, especially if we had been beaten [against Sunderland].

"But winning - whether it is in the cup or league - is a good habit and breeds confidence. If we can get past the next round, who knows?

"But all the lads know our main objective is to win promotion and we will not allow the cup to distract us from that."