If anyone at The Hawthorns believes in omens then they'll really enjoy the one Steve Watson peddled yesterday at his first West Bromwich Albion press conference following his free transfer from Everton.

The 31-year-old former Aston Villa man arrived with the usual bluster about moving up the table and not coming for a relegation scrap but no- one was prepared for the interesting correlation he drew between his new employers and the Goodison Park outfit.

Two seasons ago Watson was part of the Toffees side that finished fourth from bottom of the Premiership after a passing flirtation with relegation.

A year later, while Albion were in the throes of an altogether more full-blown dalliance with demotion, the utility player was part of an Everton team that turned fourth-bottom into fourth-top and earned themselves a place in the Champions' League.

Bryan Robson's men eventually defied gravity to cling on to 17th place and avoid a painful break-up with the top flight. They've done the fourth-bottom bit so now it's back to the future.

Watson, who has signed a three year-deal with Albion, said: "If you heard what the so-called experts said about Everton at the start of last season you would have laughed at the chances of us qualifying for the Champions' League.

"But it just proves what you can do and I can see already what a fantastic team spirit there is here - they're a genuine group of lads.

"We were fully aware at Everton that people thought we were going down but we kept our mouths shut and just worked hard.

"I think a similar thing is going to happen here. We're not going to make any predictions but we're confident enough we can be well out of trouble and pushing higher up the league." But he accepts it won't be easy, saying: "It will take a lot of hard work, keeping everybody fit and togetherness to do it - but we've got the foundations in place.

"I haven't come here to fight relegation battles, I've come here to push up the table and if we can produce two halves of the season like the back end of the last one, we'll have no trouble at all."

Watson is one of three players who have joined Albion in the past ten days. He joins Darren Carter from Birmingham City and Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland - who has virtually finalised his season-long loan - as the new boys in one of the tightest dressing-rooms in the Premiership.

The defender- cum-midfielder said it was a wrench to walk away from Merseyside after turning down a further one-year deal with David Moyes' team.

"Sometimes you need to move," he said. "I wasn't playing regularly last season and although the gaffer offered me another deal, I thought it was time to move on.

"I need to be playing regularly and I thought a new club would be the best thing. I spoke to Bryan Robson in the summer and loved what he had to say.

"I'm a big admirer of him and he actually tried to sign me once before, when I chose Everton over Middlesbrough, which makes me feel wanted.

"It was one of the biggest decisions I've had to make since leaving Newcastle. It was a tough decision because the easy thing to do would have been to stay at Everton.

"But the contract I got offered wasn't what I wanted at this stage of my career and Albion's was the most attractive offer."

Sat beside him was Kirkland, whose huge frame has been moved aside by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez after the Spaniard made no secret of his desire to supplement his resources in goal.

Kirkland said: "He told me that he was bringing in another goalkeeper and that it would be difficult for me to get into the team. When your gaffer says that, you have to look elsewhere."

The former Coventry City goalkeeper's four-year career at Anfield was blighted by a succession of long-term injuries. Last season ended in December with an operation on his back. He has made only 25 appearances since his £6 million transfer.

"I don't know what I must have done in a previous life but it can't have been good," the 24- year- old quipped. "Bryan Robson said to come here, enjoy myself and compete for a first-team place. I think I have the right attitude to prove myself."

Kirkland will have to battle incumbent Russell Hoult and back-up Tomasz Kuszczak. Given the dearth of English candidates, a good season could see him in the England squad in Germany - whether Albion are in the Champions' League or not.