Roy Hodgson prepared for West Brom’s ‘unkind’ opening Premier League fixtures

Roy Hodgson, West Bromwich Albion (Getty Images)

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West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson has said that the opening two fixtures will present two different challenges, but will be equally tough for his side.

Albion face Manchester United at the Hawthorns on the opening day of the season, then travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the second game. West Brom also face newly-promoted Swansea and Norwich in consecutive games in September.

However, Hodgson has highlighted how vital it is to approach each game on its merits, and that the season is long. He told the club’s official website: “I think it’s fair to say the fixtures haven’t been particularly kind to us in terms of the start we’ve got.

“Apart from the fact we are playing the top two teams from last season, we’ve also got back-to-back matches against newly-promoted clubs – and that’s not ideal either.

“Of course, we have to play everyone home and away at some stage and we must remember the season is long.

“Sometimes, it’s better to play teams earlier than later – but it’s impossible to predict when it’s best to play any team.

“The most important thing is that we are ready for the games – be they against the No.1 and No.2 ranked teams in the country or sides that have just come up into the Premier League who will be full of enthusiasm in the early stages.”

West Brom’s sixth game will see Hodgson return for the first time to face Fulham, and he appreciates the significance of the fixture.

“On a personal level, it will be nice to play Fulham so early in the season because I didn’t get to face them at all last season,” he said.

“Our scheduled match against them at Anfield while I was Liverpool manager got called off last December because of the snow and by the time that fixture was rearranged, I had left.

“Also, at the time of my appointment here, the team had already played Fulham home and away, so I went the whole of last season without meeting them.

“It will be great to see my friends from Fulham in September.

“These days, Fulham are a very good Premier League team and it should be a very interesting game between two good footballing sides.”