FABRICE Muamba reckons the success of promoted clubs West Brom, Blackpool and Newcastle United has been a shot in the arm for the Premier League.

The Wanderers midfielder believes the credit crunch currently affecting the majority of top flight clubs has helped to level the playing field.

Tomorrow’s opponents West Brom have made an impressive start, bouncing back from an opening day thrashing at Chelsea to beat the likes of Birmingham, Sunderland and Arsenal.

And that, says Muamba, could mean the closest battle for places outside the top four or five for years.

“I think the Premier League is closing up a little bit,” he said. “Look at the Sunderland result against Liverpool, or Fulham and Everton last weekend.

“The quality is levelling out, people are spending money wisely. Everyone wants to make sure they are nowhere near the relegation places come March or April.

“You know that if you have an off day and the other team are up for it, they will beat you.”

Former Gunner Muamba was especially impressed by West Brom’s 3-2 win at Arsenal last week.

“I’m sure everyone will agree that it was a fantastic result, because not many teams go to the Emirates and get anything,” he said. “They will be using that as momentum now, so we’ll need to make sure we apply ourselves as we have since the start of the season.

“It wouldn’t just be me who was surprised by the result, it would be the whole country.

“I don’t think it was the Arsenal that we played a few weeks ago. They looked off the pace.”

Muamba acknowledges that he could play a major part in a positive result at the Hawthorns, with his holding midfield role pivotal to regaining possession in the middle of the park.

“West Brom do pass the ball around well,” he said.

“They might not have the players of Arsenal or Manchester United but they can move the ball around well. They have bought a couple of strikers to give them a few more options going forward.

“They look a decent side. if you come up, you can play good football but you must also defend.

“If we can stop them from playing their game it will give us a chance of getting a result.”