West Brom striker Ishmael Miller: We need to overcome second season syndrome

West Brom striker Ishmael Miller has urged his team-mates to work harder this season as his side aim to build on an 11th placed finish last term.

The Baggies were promoted from the Championhip in 2010 and have the likes of Hull City as a warning; the Tigers coming up in 2009, securing a mid table finish and then plummiting back to the second tier in their second season.

“Hopefully, we can push on next season, but everyone is aware that next season will be our second in the top flight and that brings its own pressures with it,” he told skysports.com.

“The second season always seems to be more difficult than the first if you manage to beat the drop first time round, but we are just going to give it our best shot and the main thing is to maintain our Premier League status again.”

The 24-year-old believes a second season in mid table would signal a significant achievement for the Baggies.

“If we can finish in the same area of the table as we did last season then that would be a massive bonus, but it is important that we don’t get too carried away and focus on avoiding relegation first and foremost,” he added.

“I think that everyone at the club understands how important it is to maintain focus and also how difficult it is to establish yourself in the top flight because they’ve tried to do so on a few occasions and failed

“That is why the club are continuing to strengthen this summer and are determined to keep the best players here rather than selling them, which shows the ambition of the club.”.