Bristol City's Fontaine – We won't be overawed by West Brom

Liam Fontaine is all too aware of the potential for Bristol City to psyche themselves out of contention before a ball has been kicked in anger at The Hawthorns this afternoon.

After all, the prospect of tackling an in-form West Bromwich Albion side packed full of internationals and former Premier League stars is sufficient to unnerve even the most seasoned of Championship players.

Second only to Newcastle United in the table after 16 games, the Baggies served notice of their goal-scoring prowess when walloping Watford 5-0 last time out.

Beaten 4-1 on their last visit to The Hawthorns two seasons ago, City will be all too aware of the threat posed by opponents who boast a myriad of attacking options.

Meticulous in his attention to detail, Robins manager Gary Johnson will have shown his players footage of past Albion performances, briefed them in team meetings and made carefully-considered contingency plans to nullify the opposition.

But defender Fontaine, available for selection for the first time since damaging ankle ligaments at Derby County in September, believes it is possible to worry too much about the other side on occasions such as this.

He fears by concerning themselves overly with the threat posed by West Brom, City's players could fall prey to the kind of insecurity currently being experienced by Icelandic bankers.

"You can think about the opposition a bit too much at times and it can be a little counter-productive," said the Londoner, who proved his recovery from injury in a reserve-team fixture at Southampton's training ground earlier in the week.

"We know West Brom have good players and players who have been in the Premier League before. We are also aware of their attacking options and we know how dangerous they can be playing at home in front of their own supporters.

"But you can work yourself into a bit of a state if you think about those things too much. Then you stop thinking about the things which could win you the match."

He added: "We've been to Newcastle and got a draw and we have no reason to be afraid of West Brom.

"Of course we'll have a game-plan and we'll have our own thoughts on how best to stop them playing. But our aim has to be to get our own game going and take it to them.

"We have good players, we're on a good run and have a strong enough team and squad to go to the Hawthorns and get a result. But it will only happen if we focus on ourselves and cause problems for West Brom."

Self-belief will be a key factor and City head for the West Midlands in confident mood on the back of a seven-match unbeaten sequence which has put Johnson's team within a point of third-placed Cardiff.

That form is effectively serving to bar Fontaine's route back to the first-team fold and he will, in all likelihood, be among the substitutes this afternoon. Such is the depth of City's squad this season, the 24-year-old Londoner is prepared to bide his time.

"I can't expect to come straight back in, especially when the team has been doing so well in my absence," he said. "We have a much stronger squad these days and the manager has plenty of options. I will just have to be patient and wait for my opportunity to come.

"As far as the injury is concerned, everything cleared up within the time-frame I was given. I'm ready if needed."