West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson is confident they can handle facing Chelsea on the back of defeat to Manchester United yesterday.
The 64-year-old accepts the Premier League is an unforgiving place.
And with a visit to Chelsea looming next weekend, Hodgson is reluctant to look too far forward.
"I would like to think West Brom are a better side now but it is too early to start making those bold statements," he said.
"That is a question to be asked at Christmas when we have played between 15 and 20 games.
"To make judgements after one game is dangerous. Whatever I say will be thrown back at me and I don't fancy that.
"We did enough to show that our pre-season preparation has been fine and we have one or two talented players to come back into the fray.
"Let's hope we can give a good account of ourselves next week and that the sporting gods are on our side because against United, I didn't feel they were."
