I give players a voice - Mowbray

Tony Mowbray's side are starting to be tailed off at the bottom of the Premier

West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray has defended full-back Paul Robinson's right to have 'a little blast-off' at his Baggies team-mates.

Robinson said earlier this week that some Albion players "should be fighting for the cause a bit more".

Mowbray told BBC WM: "I think first and foremost we'll all entitled to our own opinions. I treat my players as men.

"Within reason I give them a voice, no problem. I don't try and gag anybody from anything they want to say."

Ahead of Monday night's trip to West Ham, Mowbray said: "I think what we've got to put in perspective is Paul's attitude to football is one of being a very competitive, combative type of football player.

"What I would suggest is that through the eyes of Paul Robinson that is how he would like all the players to be.

I understand they all do things slightly differently and we can't all be in-your-face, tackling, marauding type of footballers

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray

"Yet in the real world of football you have different characters, different individuals.

"Certain players at our football club show their strength of character and desire and passion for the game by presenting themselves to receive passes, and continuing to do that even in hard times, as opposed to making tackles and putting their body on the line.

"We all do it differently. As in the world of management, are you perceived to be a good manager if you're shouting and screaming and bawling on the touchline?

"Sir Alex Ferguson at the moment sits on his bench and never gets off it. What is right and what is wrong? We've all got our own ways of doing things.

"I can understand Paul. He's a passionate guy, he's frustrated. He's had a little blast-off.

"I like my players to demand of each other, and yet I understand they all do things slightly differently. We can't all be in-your-face, tackling, marauding type of footballers.

"I've got no real issues with it. Hopefully, Paul's got it off his chest.

"What matters now is that we get on with the last 10 games and try and win some games with that balance of competitive edge and talent."