Premier League: Alan Irvine angry at half-time in West Brom's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace
Baggies boss raised voice towards players in dressing room
Sunday 26 October 2014 09:05, UK
Alan Irvine said he was furious with his West Brom players following their first-half display against Crystal Palace.
The Albion manager has revealed he launched a half-time tirade towards his team as they came into the dressing room 2-0 down following goals from Brede Hangeland and Mile Jedinak.
And the rant from Irvine, who took over at The Hawthorns in the summer, had the desired impact as West Brom battled back in the second half through goals from Victor Anichebe and Saido Berahino
“It’s the most disappointed and the most angry I’ve been with the team,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve not had to raise my voice in the dressing room very often since working with the group.
It wasn’t us for 32 minutes. Today we didn’t stick to the plan.
“It wasn’t us for 32 minutes. Today we didn’t stick to the plan. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb and it was a big challenge for us to come back.”
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Irvine also says his goalkeeper Ben Foster was treated equally to his opposite number in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, despite the head injury that forced Julian Speroni off in the second half.
Palace’s goalkeeper was substituted after a collision that led to West Brom’s first goal by Anichebe, an incident which Neil Warnock said was "almost an assault".
However, Irvine compared that incident to Hangeland’s opening goal when he felt West Brom’s Foster received rough justice at a set-piece.
Irvine said: “I thought the two goals from corners were very similar.
“A whole load of bodies were piling in and there was a lot of contact. Obviously in those circumstances – for both goals – you look at the referee to see what he’s going to give and he didn’t give a free-kick in either of them. He gave two goals.
Irvine also pais tribute to his goalscorers Anichebe and Berahino.
“[Anichebe] made a big difference. It was a game that probably suited him. Full marks to him, he’s an important player for us and I said that in pre-season and at the start of the season. Unfortunately he’s had his injury problems but hopefully that’s him back now and he can play a big part.
“[Berahino’s] got a great temperament, he copes with the pressure and it’s another very good penalty.”
