Stefan Johansen tells West Brom fans: There's more to come
Stefan Johansen has promised Baggies fans there is more to come from him this season.
The Norwegian, who joined on loan from Fulham on deadline day, impressed on debut against Stoke, helping Albion to their first 1-0 league win of the season.
And the 28-year-old, who threw his debut shirt into the away end at full-time, says he's just getting started.
"I’ve been here a week now and I’m getting more and more into how the manager wants to play and getting to know the boys better as well," he said.
"It’s a long time since I played a full game and the match fitness isn’t there. I got in a good 80 minutes so it will hopefully come over the next few weeks.
"I started to get tired towards the end of the game but I felt like I did okay. The most important thing was we picked up the three points which is vital at this stage of the season."
Albion ground out a 1-0 win at the Bet365 Stadium thanks to Dwight Gayle's 16th goal of the season.
And Johansen, who was promoted with Fulham last season, believes that victory proves his new club has what it takes to go up automatically.
"The most important thing is tight games, you’ve got to win," he said. "We defended brilliantly and, with the attacking players we have, we are always going to create chances.
"As long as we are solid defensively, we can be clinical with the chances we get and that's what we did."
Johansen was eager to come to Albion, and was open to a permanent move last month although a loan deal suited both clubs.
"I felt like West Brom really wanted me and I spoke to the gaffer," said Johansen. "I think West Brom should be in the Premier League so I was very keen to come and help with that.
"That was the main reason. I think the style of play the manager wants to play will suit me as a player as well.
"It’s all happened quite quickly on transfer dead-line day. I felt like the manager wanted me here and I was made welcome by the club from day one.
"I didn’t play under (Claudio) Ranieri and I spoke with him and said it’s time for me to leave and that was it.
"At the moment I’m on loan and then we will see what the future brings."
