West Brom V Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns : Match Preview

24 October 2014 17:01
West Brom V Crystal Palace - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Irvine given no cause to be nasty

Affable West Brom boss Alan Irvine claims he does have a Glaswegian "nasty side" but is thankful his in-form players have hardly caused him to bare his teeth yet.

The Scot is quickly winning over his doubters after an impressive start to life as a top-flight head coach.

His appointment was met with derision by many Albion fans when chairman Jeremy Peace brought him in to replace Pepe Mel in the summer, with supporters unhappy with his lack of managerial pedigree.

However, a solid start to the Barclays Premier League season - particularly their away win over Tottenham and Monday's draw with Manchester United - has seen his stock rise already.

The former Everton assistant manager's likeable personality has played a part in that but he promises he can turn 'bad cop' if necessary.

"The players have seen a nasty side from me," he said ahead of Saturday's match against Crystal Palace.

"I'm from Glasgow - we usually have a nasty side!

"But there hasn't been the need, they are extremely professional. I have very little reason not to be happy."

England goalkeeper Ben Foster is set to return to West Brom's starting line-up for Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.

Foster missed Monday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United due to a calf injury but Irvine revealed he is back in training and "fine" ahead of the Eagles' visit.

Winger Silvestre Varela is still out after groin surgery while midfielder Claudio Yacob is in his native Argentina due to family illness. Defender Jonas Olsson is struggling with a niggling Achilles injury.

James McArthur and Scott Dann are both expected to miss Crystal Palace's trip.

McArthur and Dann are struggling with hip and knee injuries respectively while Damien Delaney is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off against Chelsea last weekend.

Delaney's absence could see Martin Kelly or Adrian Mariappa play in central defence as Palace look to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Crystal Palace defender Brede Hangeland remains happy at Selhurst Park despite struggling to make the first team under Neil Warnock.

Hangeland was brought to the Eagles by former boss Tony Pulis in the summer but has found himself out of favour under the new regime and has started only three of the eight Barclays Premier League matches so far.

The 33-year-old was picked for the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea last weekend and he may play again against West Brom on Saturday.

"I haven't played as much as I'm used to but I'm at an age now in my career that personal ambitions are not as high as they used to be, I just want to be a part of a good club and play when called upon, but if not I'll support the lads from the sidelines," Hangeland told the club's official website.

"It's a different experience for me, I've been used to playing all of the games all of the time but now it's about being realistic.

"I played around 50 games a year for 10 years running and my hips seem to know so.

"For me now it's about the team getting results and winning games."


Source: PA