Manager Steve Clarke admits West Brom’s “comfortable” position in the Barclays Premier League means they can give full focus to the FA Cup ahead of tomorrow’s third-round tie with QPR at Loftus Road.
The Baggies are lying in seventh spot in the table despite losing at home to Fulham on New Year’s Day, with a 15-point gap between them and the relegation zone.
In contrast, Rangers are battling to survive in the top flight and are still five points adrift of safety.
Clarke said: “The FA Cup is a competition we want to try and do well in. I’ve enjoyed success as a player and a coach in the FA Cup and I’d like to continue in the same vein.
“We are only involved in three competitions, we went out of the League Cup early, but we’d like to stay in the FA Cup as long as possible.
“I assume QPR’s priority will be staying in the Premier League and they had a great result at Chelsea which means they will be a bit more buoyant tomorrow.
“We are a little more comfortable in the league and are sitting in a reasonable position, one we want to try and improve on in the second half of the season.
“But the FA Cup is a competition we want to do well in.”
Clarke has reiterated his disappointment at the reaction of his side’s supporters following Albion’s home defeat to Fulham.
He said: “I was disappointed with the crowd’s reaction. During the first 45 minutes, we were below the standards we have set at home this season.
“I could understand the boos at half-time. I couldn’t understand the boos at the end because in the second half we gave it a right good go.
“I don’t think there is any reason for the crowd to have a go at the team after the way we have played, especially in home games this year.
“The players go out every week and try and give their best. Some weeks it doesn’t happen. That is the nature of football. You don’t have a divine right to be better than the opposition.”
Clarke admits midfielder Graham Dorrans’ desire for a “fresh challenge” led to him agreeing to let the player leave during January if the price and circumstances are right.
Dorrans has struggled to secure a first-team spot and was left out of the Baggies matchday squad altogether against Fulham.
He held talks with Clarke two weeks ago and is understood to be keen on a move nearer to his native Scotland.
But Dorrans will only go if any offer matches Albion’s valuation and if they have sufficient numbers in the midfield department.
Clarke said: “Graham came to see me a couple of weeks ago and he said it (wanting to leave) was down not just to because of what is happening this season but previous seasons.
“He feels as though he needs a fresh challenge. We had an amicable discussion.
“We came to an agreement that, if something came along in January that was good for the club and good for Graham, we would listen to the possibility that Graham could leave.”
Clarke confirmed defenders Jonas Olsson (groin), Steven Reid (ankle) and Goran Popov (hamstring) plus midfielder Claudio Yacob (hamstring) are again ruled out.
He also revealed five other unnamed players were rated doubtful. Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu will play his final game before linking up with DR Congo for the African Nations Cup.