Attractive football key for new West Brom boss Alan Irvine
New boss Alan Irvine today pledged to encourage attractive football as he prepared to be unveiled by Albion.
The Scot insisted he is a football 'purist' – but admitted winning is his most important mission at The Hawthorns.
Irvine, whose appointment has sparked fury among fans, was set to be presented to the media today at a noon press conference.
"I am a purist," said the 55-year-old. "I like attractive football and I like the team to control the tempo of the game and have possession of the ball.
"But I am also a realist and I realise the most important thing for the club and the fans is that we win.
"I would expect different tactics to be used for different games and different systems and strategies and these are all things that can be worked at on the training ground.
"It feels fantastic to be here. It's absolutely terrific to be given this opportunity.
"It's a great club and a club that I have admired from a distance both from a first-team point of view and an academy point of view.
"It's great to get started because we know we're in a situation where we have to add players to the squad.
"We have good players in the squad currently and players who are proven in the Premier League and have done extremely well for the club over the years.
"But it's a very small squad and a squad that needs a number of players to supplement it."
