Stress goes with Chelsea job says Roy

Albion boss Roy Hodgson today claimed the criticism aimed at Andre Villas-Boas goes with the territory for Chelsea managers.

Villas-Boas heads for The Hawthorns tomorrow under intense scrutiny because of a difficult first season in charge of the Blues.

But Hodgson believes the media spotlight and rumours that owner Roman Abramovich is considering wielding the axe are par for the course at Stamford Bridge.

"This is all just part of the football world," said Hodgson. "There is speculation that goes on and detailed examination of all the people working at the highest level.

"I guess he knew, when he was moving from Porto to Chelsea for the enormous salary and enormous ambitions from the owner, that it wasn't going to be an easy job. That's basically how it's turned out.

"Nothing surprises me. If you look back there have been an awful lot of managers at Chelsea in the last eight or nine years.

"And if you take Jose Mourinho, who was there for four or five years, out of the picture there has been an awful lot of turnover in terms of coaches.

"So, I suppose you can't be surprised if you go to that club as a coach that you come under enormous scrutiny every time your team is not flying away from the rest at the top of the table."

Chelsea arrive at The Hawthorns having won just one of their last six games in all competitions while the Baggies are back in form after thrashing Wolves and Sunderland.

The game will also see Roberto Di Matteo, who is now right-hand man to Villas-Boas, return to the club a year after he was sacked and succeeded by Hodgson.