Albion boss Alan Irvine: Lay off Arsene Wenger
West Brom boss Alan Irvine knows what it is feels like to take flak.
And Albion's under-fire boss insists tomorrow's opposite number deserves "respect," as Arsene Wenger brings his Arsenal side to the Hawthorns.
Wenger has faced sustained criticism in recent season after failing to build on the trophy-laden early days of his Gunners reign.
But Irvine, who has faced harsh assessments of his own performance since arriving in the summer as a controversial head coach choice, is full of admiration for the Frenchman.
"He's been outstanding," said Irvine. "He's a fantastic manager who has done an absolutely brilliant job.
"A lot of people have realised the part he's played in terms of changing English football.
"He deserves to be treated with a great deal of respect despite people talking in a negative way at the start of a number of seasons.
"Despite people talking in that way about him, he is still there at the end of the season having done a good job. He's been absolutely outstanding in the time he's been here."
Irvine heads into tomorrow's game under scrutiny himself after back-to-back defeats to Newcastle and Chelsea in their last two Premier League games.
That has left them just three points clear of the relegation zone but Irvine insists looking over their shoulders is nothing to be alarmed about.
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"I think everybody looks over their shoulder for some reason, always," he said. "Whether you're fourth in table looking at who is fifth, sixth and seventh or where we are at the moment looking at who is coming next, you're always looking
"We're not too many points behind Arsenal so this is a big game for us and a game where we could perhaps take points off them.
"You're always hoping it will go better and that you had won games you drew or drew games you lost.
"You're always looking for more and you're never satisfied. Arsenal are a very good team, exceptional going forward.
"They are very creative, they have fantastic individuals and they pass and move very well and play a very open and expansive game.
"Those things give you problems when they have the ball but they have also been criticised when they are in transition. It's difficult to be as open and creative as they are without leaving something open when the ball changes hands.
"Anyone who saw the game against Manchester United last week will feel on another day Arsenal could have won that game.
"On Wednesday night it was a great performance against a very good team in Dortmund.
"That was hard game can't do us any harm but Arsenal players used to Champions League games and playing at the weekend after them.
"With the squad and all the support they've got they will be ready for the weekend."
Albion have won just one of their home games in the Premier League this season and Irvine said:
"We have tough games, starting with Arsenal and then on to West Ham, who look a good side.
"But you hope to take advantage of being at home and that's what we'll be looking to do."
