West Brom manager Tony Mowbray insists his side will not be fearful of visiting their on-song local rivals Aston Villa on Saturday.
Mowbray's Baggies ended 2008 securing crucial home wins over fellow relegation rivals Manchester City and Tottenham.
Now, West Brom get their 2009 campaign for survival under way with a testing trip to Villa Park against a Villa side who are unbeaten in eight league games since losing at home to Middlesbrough in early November.
Mowbray has been quick to allay fears that his side will be intimidated by Martin O'Neill's outfit; instead the West Brom tactician has declared his side's relish for the derby encounter.
He said: "We will relish the challenge, like we do in every game. It is a derby and one we are looking forward to. We certainly are not going to fear it.
"Our destiny will be decided by our home matches but we are fully aware we can win on the road.
"Villa are on a good run of form but they are not invincible at home. Middlesbrough won there recently and they have drawn a few games at home.
"I know Albion haven't won there for quite a while but many of the members of this current side haven't played there yet, so that can change."
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