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Darnell Furlong: West Brom prepared for tough test at Cottage

Darnell Furlong says Albion are braced for their toughest test so far as they prepare to take on Fulham.

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Darnell Furlong

The Baggies – fresh from the international break – travel to the capital on Saturday where they will face a Fulham side eager to get back on track on home turf.

With a front three of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro, the Londoners are widely seen as one of the favourites to win promotion this year.

But they have lost their last two matches at Craven Cottage with a 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest followed by a League Cup defeat to Southampton.

Albion, in contrast, are unbeaten in six Championships outings.

But Furlong knows the team will have to be at their best if they are to taste victory on Saturday.

“Fulham is a great game to get us going again and we just have to make sure we’re ready for it,” the defender said.

“I think it could be our toughest test so far, especially as it’s away from home.

“They were a Premier League side last season so it’s going to be a difficult game.

“It was nice to go into the international break unbeaten.

“Now we’re looking forward to carrying that on.”

Snapped up from QPR in the summer, Furlong says he has quickly settled into life at The Hawthorns.

And the full-back revealed he is particularly enjoying being part of an attacking side.

“We play an attractive style of football which is nice to be involved in,” he continued.

“It’s different to what I’ve been involved in before.

“I’ve played different styles with different managers and this is one that I’m really enjoying.”

Albion have a host of talented full-backs on their books with Furlong, Nathan Ferguson, Kieran Gibbs, Conor Townsend and Chris Brunt all comfortable in the role.

For Furlong, though, that competition for places is only a positive.

“Competition is always good for the squad,” he said.

“For morale, it’s important no-one thinks they’re playing every game.

“I’ve seen that in the past and players can become a little bit relaxed in how they do things. It’s good competition, and it’s the best thing for the football club.”

One full-back who has particularly caught the eye this season is Ferguson who has returned to Albion having spent the past week with England Under-20s.

“He’s very good – I didn’t know he was 18 when I came in,” Furlong said.

“He’s fitted into the group very well, I think he only came in this season.

“As I said, there’s good competition everywhere and we’re just enjoying trying to play.”

Despite Albion’s unbeaten start, Furlong says there is no danger of over-confidence in the group.

“There’s confidence in the group but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” he added.

“There’s no arrogance in training or in games. We’ve worked hard for the results we’ve got.”