Pardew: Roy set bar for Baggies

West Brom boss Alan Pardewishopingtoemulate Roy Hodgson’s success at The Hawthorns.

The 56-year-old today takes charge of his first Baggies game against Crystal Palace – the club which sacked him a year ago.

He faces Palace boss Hodgson, who was Albion manager between 2011 and 2012 before joining England.

Hodgson guided the Baggies to 11th and 10th in the top flight while playing attractive football and, with Albion fans eager to be entertained, Pardew (pictured) admitted Hodgson set the bar for the Baggies.

“Absolutely. He did a really superb job here and I played against him here,” he said, with West Brom two points above the Premier League relegation zone.

“I have always admired him. He’s a coach who has a great knowledge of the game and is an educated man on and off the pitch so you can’t help but respect the guy.

“I look forward to seeing him. We’ve had a good relationship but I want to beat him that’s for sure.”

Pardew lost his job at Palace last December after six wins from his final 36 games but returned to work on Wednesday, replacing Tony Pulis at Albion on a deal until 2020.

He has said he felt the sack was harsh but holds no grudge against chairman Steve Parish.

Meanwhile, first-team coach Gerry Francis has been offered the chance to stay on under Pardew, but assistant head coaches Mark O’Connor and Ben Garner have left the club.