Although they are the acknowledged favourites for the first division title at the moment, Michael insists:
"I wouldn't be putting my money on them but they are the strongest team at the moment, they keeping getting the results, and they are the team to beat.
"We gave a good account of ourselves on Saturday and I thought we deserved to win; we are still looking to finish top of the league without a doubt.
"They had a few crosses, but as chances go they didn't really create anything and in the second half we were really comfortable.
"They got their tails up when they scored but we were disappointed not to get the three points as we looked the better team."
Michael was quite comfortable with the wing back system employed at the Hawthorns and he adds:
"I thought it worked well but the gaffer just did it for that day.
"What is in the past is in the past and we go into this game full of confidence looking for three points - as we will be when we play Sunderland on Saturday, which is always a nice game to play in."