West Brom boss Roy Hodgson is unsurprised at the pressure currently on Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas given club owner Roman Abramovich's record of sacking managers in recent years.

Hodgson came under the same sort of spotlight during his brief reign as Liverpool boss before being dismissed 14 months ago.

Now Villas-Boas is the subject of speculation concerning his job and reports of some players questioning his tactics.

Hodgson said: "One always has sympathy for other managers but I guess he knew, moving from Porto to Chelsea, for the enormous salary and big ambitions from the owner, that it wasn't going to be an easy job.

"That's basically how it has turned out. Nothing surprises me. If you look back, there have been an awful lot of managers at Chelsea in the last eight or nine years.

"If you take Jose Mourinho out of the equation, who was there for three or four years, there has been an awful lot of turnover in terms of coaches.

"I suppose you can't be surprised if you go to that club as a coach that you are under enormous scrutiny every time your team is not top of the table.''

Hodgson knows his side, who have scored nine goals in winning their last two games, will have to be at their best and hope Chelsea have an off day if they are to gain any tangible reward from the game.

He said: "It all depends on how well we play. With their quality, Chelsea are capable of giving very good performances and causing problems for everyone.

"We are aware what we are up against but you win nothing on paper and with your reputation. You win if you perform.

"We hope they have a bad day and must ensure we are at our very best if we are to have a chance.''

Winger Jerome Thomas is West Brom's new fitness doubt after suffering a hamstring injury during the 4-0 win over Sunderland.

Villas-Boas has no regrets about revealing he could be sacked as Chelsea manager and admitted his future now rested on the club's results.

Villas-Boas also denied his widely-publicised interview with a Portuguese radio station last week had upset the Blues hierarchy, amid reports they had taken exception to his candour.

He stands by every word, insisting the broadcast needed to be heard in its entirety to accurately portray what he said, including perceived criticisms of Fernando Torres and Manchester City.

It was Villas-Boas' reflections on his job that sparked the most headlines, however, and he said: "There is a doubt over the future that lies in every single job in our lives, in mine and in yours.

"Everybody is more or less under threat with positive or negative results.''

Prior to last week, Villas-Boas had repeatedly insisted he had the full backing of Roman Abramovich to complete his three-year "project'' to revamp Chelsea, despite the club being in danger of their worst season since the Russian's takeover almost nine years ago.

Villas-Boas sidestepped questions about whether his future would be determined over the next fortnight, which sees Chelsea play two crucial Barclays Premier League games in their bid to get back inside the top four as well as an FA Cup replay and Champions League second leg.

"They are key just because we can be out of or continue in two competitions,'' he said.

Villas-Boas' bosses were said to have taken exception to last week's interview, especially his comments on Torres.

The Chelsea boss compared the £50million man to Andriy Shevchenko and Mateja Kezman, both of whom were expensive flops at Stamford Bridge.

Joking that the only person at the club upset by his interview was their head of communications because he "had to work a little bit more'', Villas-Boas added: "The whole words on Fernando were positive.

"I used them in the sense of the demands put on strikers at this football club, and those two (Shevchenko and Kezman) didn't perform in terms of the expectation of the fans and the club.

"We want to avoid this situation happening again.''

Villas-Boas also denied having aimed a dig at the brand of football of leaders Manchester City.

"City have 17 points more than us and are first, so I cannot criticise their style,'' he said. "They have incredible numbers, won all their home games with 40 goals scored and six conceded. I cannot criticise this. But I think it's a very Italian style.

"Roberto [Mancini] has brought immediate success to City and has bought his own time with his qualities, by winning the FA Cup last year and building a super-team this year that is leading the Premier League.

"But they had high expectations in other competitions from which they are already out.''

Didier Drogba (knee) and Daniel Sturridge (toe) are expected to be fit.

Match

West Brom carries the day.

3 goals for Osaze

mikuz:

West Brom carries the day.

victorazy:

3 goals for Osaze

both of you shld shut up

Lamps starts as captain

odemwingie wins player of the month

Hope the bluzzz wins with 2 clear goals and roll back to 4th place.

game on

Chelsea oya lets go

wow wha ta save petr cech!

Mata

Nice one boys

A. cole na real minus one

Boys no time. i need goal now

Drogba u dey crazzzzeeee!!!!!

Drogba, what was that a shot or a cross ?   . That ball must hav flown outta the stadium.

Bluzzz get d damn goal jor

Common all you Chelsea fans lets go

Kay-Dee:

Drogba, what was that a shot or a cross ?   . That ball must hav flown outta the stadium.

That guy just finish Remires

AVB, Pull dis Drug man out, and give me my totoress!!

Essien

Jisox, sturridge.

Daniel S can't believe it

Odewinge just dey enjoy A.cole very well

Half time over.

Pls any link to watch the match online?

Second half under way.
Drogba, Mata one goal each

Chelsea all the way

Move this guy out what is wrong with Daniel

sturridgeeeee! WTF!