Gerry Francis: Safety always comes first for West Brom

The experienced campaigner, who has spent nearly half-a-century in English football, says breaking into the elite group of clubs is harder than it has ever been before.

He believes the Baggies have made progress this season, but says the financial disparity between the big teams and the rest of the league means the majority of Premier League clubs start each season trying to avoid relegation first and foremost.

"I think it will always be the starting point," he said. "I'd say you've got the top seven who don't have to look over their shoulder, but the rest of us want to get 40 points as quickly as possible."

When Francis managed Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham in the 1990s, they finished in the upper reaches of mid-table the Baggies currently occupy. But relegation was not as big a concern.

Albion are currently in eighth place, but they're 13 points behind Arsenal in seventh and 13 points clear of the bottom three.

This season, the Premier League has split into two different divisions.

"I spent seven years of my career going for Europe and going for the top five or top six as a manager," said Francis. "I never finished below halfway. The nine years I've had with Tony working to stay in the division has been very hard.

"The pressures are much harder. Nobody wants to go down in this division, for all different reasons.

"But to break into that top seven is financially massive."

One of the reasons Albion are currently best of the rest is their tight-knit squad and impressively scarce injury list.

But it's starting to look like the long season is catching up with the small group of players.

"The problem is, if things are going well you think it's better because you haven't got so many choices to make," said Francis. "But on the other side when you have injuries and suspensions you're looking where the next person is coming from.

"It's about getting the balance right. It's also important you bring through players from the academy when you have the opportunity.

"So young players who are seven or eight think, 'There's an avenue for me here if I'm good enough'.

"That's very important. And of course with the financial aspect of buying players today, bringing your kids through is a vital element.

"The problem with going from under-23 to the first team is a big step in the Premier League. It's nice to get the kids out on loan if we can so you can watch them play in a competitive game."