West Brom vs Fulham preview - Results needed fast, warns Brunt

Posted Saturday, September 24, 2011 by PA

West Brom captain Chris Brunt has told his team-mates it is time to start turning performances into results.

The Baggies head into the match with Fulham bottom of the Barclays Premier League table having claimed three points from their five games.

Those came courtesy of a win at Norwich, but they are yet to claim even a draw at home.

Saturday`s opponents sit two places above them in the table, despite being the only team in the league yet to win, so Brunt knows it will be an important outing for his side.

"I don't think it's a `need to win' game but we need to get some points," he told www.wba.co.uk.

"Getting our first win at Norwich and then having such a sloppy performance at Swansea dented the confidence a bit.

"It's important to get back on track."

It was a familiar story on Wednesday when the Baggies - albeit with a much-changed side - went to Everton in the Carling Cup.

Despite playing well in patches and leading for much of the second half, they conceded a late equaliser and lost to Phil Neville's extra-time wonder goal.

"We put in a good performance on Wednesday and got knocked out of the cup which is disappointing, but it's up to us to get the ball rolling," said Brunt.

"We're confident at home we can give anyone a game and in the two home games this season we've shown that.

"But we've got nothing from them so it's important we get the ball rolling, especially at home."

Defender Gabriel Tamas remains suspended following his red card against Norwich, but Shane Long could return having missed the Everton game because of an illness.

Meanwhile, Fulham manager Martin Jol insists Bryan Ruiz will come good in time.

The 26-year-old £10million deadline-day signing from FC Twente has yet to find the net for the Cottagers.

And although he impressed in the Carling Cup tie at Chelsea in midweek, it was his spot-kick which hit the bar as Fulham exited the competition on a penalty shoot-out.

Despite the setback, which came shortly after he was hauled off at half-time on his debut at home to Blackburn, Ruiz claimed he "felt really good" after the game at Stamford Bridge.

Jol insists there is no point in trying to rush things with any player new to the hustle and bustle of the Barclays Premier League.

"When he signed I said 'give him three weeks' which was of course a joke. I feel 50% of the foreigners will not do well, it is very difficult when you come to this country. There is a group of players who need a couple of months, or even a year," Jol said.

"Bryan Ruiz is a quality player - don't forget Moussa Dembele needed seven or eight months to be the player he is now."

Jol added: "Of course I have to be patient with him and so do the fans - you have to have the same attitude with all the foreigners.

"We have got four good offensive players and Bryan can get all the time in the world if everybody is fine [fit].

"It is not about Ruiz, it is about the team.

"If you look at all the good teams, they have six or eight offensive players.

"In a year's time, it is important for me that you can look at his statistics, his productivity and then you will see Bryan Ruiz will be up there with our best players."

Fulham could have defender Aaron Hughes back from a knee injury for the trip.

Forward Andrew Johnson (ankle) is also close to being in contention, but midfielder Dickson Etuhu (thigh) and defender Bjorn Helge Riise (groin) remain sidelined.

Brede Hangeland, Damien Duff, Clint Dempsey and captain Danny Murphy are all set to feature after being rested for the midweek Carling Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at Chelsea.