And Chelsea chief has his say on Baggies boss
PEPE Mel is hoping he can once again pull off a shock against a Jose Mourinho team tomorrow (ko 8pm).
The Baggies head coach enjoyed a 1-0 home victory as Real Betis boss over the Chelsea chief’s Real Madrid outfit in La Liga last season.
And he has now set his sights on his 18th-placed troops securing a much-needed Hawthorns win over the Barclays Premier League leaders.
“Jose Mourinho is a big coach,” said Mel.
“But it is possible to win.
“Last season when he was coach of Real Madrid and I was coach of Real Betis, Betis won 1-0.
“Mourinho is a good coach, a good manager and a good person,
“In Spain our relationship was good, no problem.”
Chelsea will arrive in the Black Country boasting the meanest defence in the top flight, having conceded only 20 goals in 25 games.
The Blues have only dropped two points from the last 24 available to hit the summit, while the Baggies have won just once in their last 15 games.
But Mel insists his players only need to look at Fulham’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United yesterday for inspiration.
“Yesterday Fulham played a good match to get a 2-2 draw at Manchester United,” added Mel.
“It is important to take note of this because tomorrow why can’t West Brom win?"
Mourinho has also today had his say on Mel.
“I know him from Spain,” said the Chelsea boss at his pre-match press conference.
“When I arrived there he was with Real Betis in the second division.
“He was a champion and the next year he came to the first division and he did very well.
“Real Madrid lost to them in one game.
“He's a coach that likes to play football, to play well, to pass the ball and keep possession of the ball.
“I don't know if this is the way he wants to work with West Brom but he is a good coach and a good guy.”