Bolton manager Owen Coyle does not believe Roy Hodgson's England appointment will have disrupted West Brom ahead of Sunday's clash.
Manager not sure Hodgson appointment will help Bolton
Bolton manager Owen Coyle does not believe Roy Hodgson's England appointment will have disrupted West Brom ahead of Sunday's clash between the sides at the Reebok Stadium.
The Baggies are coming to terms with the news that broke earlier this week that Hodgson will leave them at the end of the season to take up his new post with the Three Lions.
It remains to be seen whether West Brom will struggle this weekend or be galvanised to produce a good performance for their departing manager, although Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes has expressed his concern that the timing of the decision could help Bolton.
With Bolton, in 18th, and 17th-placed QPR currently separated by goal difference alone with two games left to go each, a below-par display by West Brom at the Reebok Stadium could have a major impact on the battle to beat the drop.
But asked how he thought the news about Hodgson might affect the way Albion play, Coyle said: "I don't see why it would be a hindrance.
"I would love it to be, but I don't see why.
"They have the England manager now, he is an outstanding man and they have very good players.
"But we have to focus on what we can do at Bolton and make sure we get to our best.
"If we do that, we have shown that we can win points and win games."
Letting us down
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had been the overwhelming favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss and Hodgson's emergence this week as the man for the position has been met with a mixed reaction.
Asked for his thoughts on any negativity surrounding Hodgson's appointment, Coyle said: "I think that is the thing that lets us down in many ways in terms of what we have got in football.
"We have the best game in the world in England and they have fantastic players at their disposal for the country, a country I truly believe should always be challenging for the major championships.
"Now you have a man who has done it all in football, with experience of international football and other leagues all over the world.
"What Roy Hodgson needs is everybody to get behind him and give him that backing, because surely you want your England team to do well?
"Any negative stuff is not going to help, is it?
"So let's get behind the man, help the players, help Roy, have a successful tournament with England and kick on from there."
