West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Pardew has insisted that he is still the right man for the job despite growing speculation over his future at the club.
The Baggies saw a tumultuous week come to a disappointing end as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton in the fifth round of the FA Cup this afternoon, leaving Pardew with only three wins from his 17 matches in charge across all competitions since taking over in November.
West Brom sacked their chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman earlier this week and reports have suggested that Pardew could be next out of the door, but he believes that his side's improved second-half performance showed glimpses of hope going forward.
"Yeah, absolutely. I think the second half proved that," Pardew told reporters when questioned on whether he still believes he is the right man for the job.
"It was difficult to go 2-0 down in the circumstances we're under and I think anybody who was here today will see that was a proper fight and a proper effort.
"I hope I'm the right man because I'm an experienced manager. I've experienced this situation a few times before. Once I have been relegated, at Charlton, but I've got out of this situation before at Newcastle and Crystal Palace and I'm determined to get out of this one as well."
West Brom currently sit seven points from safety in the Premier League ahead of next weekend's clash with fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town.
Barney Corkhill
