West Brom striker Simon Cox wants to build on last season’s good performances & earn starting role

Simon Cox – West Brom, (Getty Images)

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West Brom striker Simon Cox says that he is raring to go and push on from his successful finish to last season, having made an impact for both club and country.

The Irish forward, who came increasingly into the first-team reckoning as the season drew to a close, has started pre-season training early, with the Baggies not scheduled to be back to work until Monday.

Cox scored twice in his first four internationals at the end of last season, but told the club’s official website: “I’ve got to establish myself as a Premier League player first and foremost.

“I had a good end to the season and I want to try and build on that.

“I had a good start to my international career and I want to build on that as well.

“This season will be about trying to establish myself and get as many games as I can in the domestic league as well as internationally.”

Cox admitted that such a quick rise to prominence can make players vulnerable to complacency.

“Once you start to believe you’re good enough to play in the Premier League and on the international stage you start to get a bit complacent so for me it’s about taking it step by step and saying I haven’t proved anything to anyone yet,” he said.

“I’m still trying to learn how the Premier League is played and get used to how fast the game is played in the Premier League.”

“But what happened with Ireland was a massive boost for me because if I can score goals internationally there is no reason I can’t score goals at Premier League level.”

The former Swindon striker made his Ireland debut in the Carling Nations Cup in May against Northern Ireland, and scored the fifth goal in a comprehensive 5-0 victory.