The former Oxford United manager, Denis Smith, who began his new job at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday morning, says promotion is within his grasp.

Smith, who has been at Oxford for four years, took up his new post on Wednesday morning.

Oxford has agreed to a compensation package

Arriving at the club, he said: "I've signed a three-year contract and it is my intention to stay with Albion for this period.

"If Albion do as well in the second half of the season as they have in the first I will be delighted we will be pushing for promotion.

"I believe my skill has been neglected in the past and now I want to prove myself."

Smith, a former manager at York, Bristol City and Sunderland, has agreed to work with Albion's current coaches John Trewick and Cyrille Regis.

He said: "I will have to rely upon their judgement for the first few games until I get to know the players."

The Albion chairman, Tony Hale, who was bitterly disappointed when Ray Harford walked out of the club to take control at Queens Park Rangers, said: "We have sorted out everything with Oxford amicably. We have done everything the right way."

Albion, currently fifth in Division One, will be hoping Smith can sustain their challenge to bring top-flight football back to the club for the first time since 1986.

Factfile

• 1947: Born Stoke-on-Trent, November 19.
• 1968-81: Comes through Stoke City's juniors and goes on to make 406 league appearances for the club at centre half.
• 1981-82: Ends career with York.
• 1982-87: First managerial job at York. He steers them to the Division Four title in 1983-84.
• 1987-91: Joins Sunderland and wins the Division Three Championship in 1987-88.
• 1992-93: Has a brief spell in charge of Bristol City.
• 1993-97: Moves to the Manor Ground to replace Brian Horton
• Dec1997: Takes over as manager of Oxford's Division One rivals West Bromwich Albion, succeeding Ray Harford.

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