Bryan Robson has demanded that West Bromwich Albion at least qualify for the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs at the end of next season.

The manager, still reeling after relegation from the Premiership, says that his squad should be strong enough to secure promotion at the first attempt but that they have to earn the right to prove it.

Robson knows Albion do not have the quality or strength in depth to be finishing in the middle of the Premiership table but they do have the quality to claim a top-two position in the Football League in 2007.

"The key is that players won't be straining all the time," Robson said. "The top Premiership teams have some of the best players in the world.

"I'm not being disrespectful but we're not top players and that's why we're fighting relegation battles.

"Some of the Championship players are straining to compete with our lads because our lads have got that bit of extra quality. They have to prove that by being at the play-offs, at the very least, next term."

Robson will not diminish the importance of the Coca-Cola Championship, for he believes it contains many leading clubs, many good players and many good stadiums. It is probably the strongest second tier of football in the world.

"You always say the Premiership is the place to play but the Championship gets a lot of exposure," Robson said. "Look at the stadiums that are around and these clubs have all been in the Premiership.

"Look at Derby, Leicester, Sunderland, Wolves, ourselves, Birmingham City and the list goes on. Clubs don't get 30-40,000 but they are always pulling in 20,000 and there are good stadiums, atmospheres and challenges.

"You can still play football at a good level and good exposure, prove you are an international at Championship level and the challenge is there to try and win a medal and the division next season.

"These lads have experienced it before and they know what it takes and that it isn't an easy ride. No-one at this club will think we automatically get promoted.

"Birmingham are going to be useful and look at the way Sunderland won the Championship last time.

"You don't know who is going to go up. Look at Leeds, who have been restructuring their club and building up their squad for the last couple of years.

"There are some decent squads with big clubs. It is a difficult challenge, but I think this set of players are capable of achieving."