JUSSI Jaaskelainen believes Wanderers have earned the right to be crowned "best of the rest" in the Premier League.

The ever-present Reebok keeper, who is dominating the player of the year polls, reckons that only the Big Four have superior squads.

"When we are at our absolute best there are only the top four clubs in the country, who are better than us," he said.

"When you look at the squad of players we have got and compare them to other sides, I think it is the best squad outside the top four.

"We have the ability to beat all the rest of the teams in our league, particularly at home. That's the confidence level we have going into games."

Confidence took a knock last weekend when Wanderers lost 3-1 at home to Reading and they go to Chelsea on Saturday still six-points short of the 60 Sam Allardyce has targeted to secure a UEFA Cup place.

They are still aiming to finish fifth, though, and, with a trip to relegation-haunted West Ham and a home game against Aston Villa on the last day of the season, Jaaskelainen sees no reason why they shouldn't, having only recently been forced to give up on the top four finish that was on the cards before they lost at Arsenal a fortnight ago.

The Whites keeper, who has already scooped the player of the year awards voted for by the development agents and the supporters association, said: "We always knew it was going to be very difficult for us to break into that top four, but we wanted to push them and if they are not at their best, you never know what might happen.

"If you have a chance, you have to take it, which is what we wanted to do."

Jaaskelainen, Wanderers' longest serving player having arrived at the Reebok in 1997, added: "I have been at the club a long time now and each year we have made progress. I think with the players we have in the squad now, we can become an even better side in the seasons ahead.

"We qualified for Europe two seasons ago and have the chance to do the same again this year."

The appointment of Rob Styles to take charge of the lunchtime game at Chelsea means Sam Allardyce will come face to face with the man he accused of costing Wanderers a priceless point at Arsenal.

The Hampshire referee turned down penalty appeals when Gunners defender Emanuel Eboue appeared to handle the ball three minutes from the end of the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

The Whites' boss claimed officials were influenced by big crowds to subconsciously favour the bigger clubs.

"It was a clear penalty," he said. "Eboue handled the ball and he's chosen not to give it. He got it horribly wrong on such a big occasion and on such a big day.

"It's a massive decision that's gone against us. But it's Arsenal, it's away. Clubs like ours don't get those decisions."