Chris Brunt praises Roy Hodgson's tough regime

Albion captain Chris Brunt today hailed "straight talking" boss Roy Hodgson as the ideal man to lead the club's battle against relegation.

Brunt revealed the new head coach has worked his players hard in his first fortnight in charge in a bid to halt their slide towards the Premier League drop zone.

But the skipper says the players have welcomed Hodgson's no-nonsense regime as they look to stave off a return to the Championship.

"He's been great with us but he knows what he wants and if you're not doing your job properly he soon tells you," said Brunt.

"And if somebody like him tells you what you're doing wrong and you listen then you have a good chance of winning games.

"He commanded instant respect when he walked through the door to the training ground because of the number of years he has been in the game, the things he has achieved and what he did with a similar sized club in Fulham.

"I knew what he was all about because I remember talking to the Northern Ireland lads who played for him at Fulham.

"Under Robbie (Di Matteo) we had good times and last season was really successful. But in the last few months things haven't gone for us and we probably lost a bit of discipline on the field."

"The new manager has a lot of experience and, if we lose a game now, we will do so despite being very organised and disciplined.

"We all want to be Premier League players and the new gaffer is the perfect man to help us."

And Brunt confirmed Hodgson has focussed on shoring up the Albion defence since he took the reins 11 days ago.

"The training has been tough going but it's all been game-related, based on shape and tactical stuff," said the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

"He knows we've got enough good players to score goals but he also knows you have to have a bit more in your locker and there is no reason why he can't get us sorted.

"If you take on board what he is telling you it's bound to help and he has been pretty straight-talking so far."