Nigeria and West Brom striker Victor Anichebe has told his team-mates they need to pull their socks up if they are to escape relegation.

The Baggies are precariously placed in 17th and are only above the dotted line because of goal difference.

And the former Everton striker says manager Pepe Mel can’t take all the blame.

Victor Anichebe

Mel has now gone seven games in charge at the Hawthorns without a win and Anichebe knows they have to improve – and soon.

Anichebe said: “We’re in a serious position and we need to pull our socks up and get some points.

“The next game [Saturday’s trip to Swansea] we need to improve and all of us know that. “It’s down to us as players to go out there and play as well as we can.

“It’s not all down to the head coach. We, as players, need to go out and do well for the team and the supporters.

“Whatever team the head coach puts out, we’re the ones who step over the line and we need to work hard and fight.”

“We can’t be too down about last Saturday [the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United] because we’re not going to play United every week.”