Kemp wary of Baggies challenge

City have a remarkable record against Albion, having only lost one of the last 26 league meetings between the two sides stretching back to 1988. On home soil, Stoke are unbeaten in their last 17 matches with the Baggies, winning 13 and drawing four, with their last defeat now 29 years ago. With West Brom having lost their last seven away games in league and cup, scoring just one goal in the process, another Stoke win appears the most likely outcome. "It is a very impressive record we have against them, and certainly in my time here we have had some fabulous wins over West Brom, but they count for nothing," said Kemp. "They are in the past, we've got to look to the future and it's the next victory that is important, not the last. "It's a new game and it's about how we perform. I'm sure if we turn up ready to go tonight then we can get the job done. It's up to us to make sure we close the deal." Kemp is convinced the arrival at West Brom of a new manager in Roy Hodgson will have a bearing on the game. He added: "Roy will be looking to make an impact. "For us it's a case of beware a team with a new manager because his players will be out to impress. "Players seem to step up a gear for a short period of time when a new manager comes in, so we have to make sure that doesn't happen tonight." Kemp feels Hodgson will primarily have worked on his side's defensive frailties as Albion have managed just one clean sheet in the league all season, and that was in the second game in August. "I'm sure he's been working on that, we're expecting that," said Kemp, who firmly believes Stoke can break down their opponents. "We're playing a more expansive game this year and we've managed to undo teams a little easier this season than we have done in the past. We've the type of players who can do that." Naturally, Kemp is also guarding against complacency, in particular as Stoke are far from safe. But he admits the club are aiming for their own 'double' this season. "We'd like to make it our highest Premier League finish, and maybe even win the FA Cup," said Kemp, with Stoke facing a sixth-round home tie with West Ham. "I don't want to get too excited, but that possibility is there for us."