MX23RW : Saturday, January 9 00:17:49| >> :600:95041:95041:

Rekeem Harper: 'West Brom cannot afford to take Harrogate for granted'

Rekeem Harper: 'West Brom cannot afford to take Harrogate for granted'
© Reuters
The Baggies face the League Two newcomers for the first time in their history on Wednesday.

Rekeem Harper has warned West Brom they cannot afford to underestimate minnows Harrogate.

The Baggies host the EFL newcomers in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday as overwhelming favourites.

Albion lost 3-0 at home to Leicester on Sunday as they returned to the Premier League after a two-year absence.

They face Everton and Chelsea in the top flight this month and Harper knows the importance of their cup clash.

"You can't take any team for granted," said the midfielder. "We have to pay them great respect and they've had a fantastic season last year and you see a lot of disappointments in the cups.

"We have to match their hunger and the intensity that they're going to bring to us and then show our quality.

"It could be a first competitive start in a new season for me so it's a chance to propel myself into the manager's thoughts and a lot of the other players will be out to prove a point.

"During the first game of the season we all got a taste of what the Premier League's like.

"We matched their intensity in the first half and with the mentality of the group, it's just a little setback because we didn't come here to be passengers – we came here to do everything to win matches."

Harper was a second-half substitute against the Foxes as Albion conceded three second-half goals, including two Jamie Vardy penalties, to slip to defeat.

The 20-year-old made 13 appearances in all competitions last term as the Baggies finished second in the Sky Bet Championship.

He told the club's official website: "The manager (Slaven Bilic) has seen a lot of change in me in terms of mentality, work-rate and consistency in performances and he said that I was going to get opportunities, so the manager has stuck to his word.

"I feel like Wednesday's game is very important. First things first, I hope we win the game and I hope we play well because when you win games it breeds confidence and creates a positive atmosphere around the group."

ID:414410:cQx

Click here for more stories about Rekeem Harper

Click here for more stories about Harrogate Town

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer on February 8, 2020
Read Next:
The big talking points ahead of EFL Cup second round
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
FA Cup
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
NIFL Premiership
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Brasileiro
Copa Diego Maradona
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Women's Super League
Gallagher Premiership
NFL
6.05pm
Colts
@
Bills
9.40pm
Rams
@
Seahawks
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Carlisle UnitedCarlisle21123632201239
2Newport CountyNewport20115431211038
3Forest Green RoversForest Green2210842819938
4Cheltenham TownCheltenham2110563021935
5Cambridge UnitedCambridge21104733201334
6Crawley TownCrawley229763428634
7Morecambe2010462730-334
8Salford City2196628171133
9Leyton Orient2210393226633
10Exeter CityExeter1987440261431
11Walsall227962730-330
12Colchester UnitedColchester217862729-229
13Tranmere RoversTranmere208482325-228
14Oldham AthleticOldham2284103438-428
15Mansfield TownMansfield2251162828026
16Bolton WanderersBolton217592533-826
17Harrogate TownHarrogate207492124-325
18Port Vale2274112933-425
19Bradford CityBradford216692025-524
20Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe2172122232-1023
21Barrow214892931-220
22Stevenage204881622-620
23Grimsby Town2255121937-1820
24Southend UnitedSouthend2044121333-2016

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!