Former West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has backed current Baggies boss Alan Pardew to cope with the mounting speculation over his future at The Hawthorns.
Pardew, who took over the West Brom post after Pulis was sacked in November, has only won one league game since his appointment in the West Midlands, with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
Pulis has said, however, that Pardew's "thick skin" will keep him at the Baggies.
"I know Alan, he's got thick enough skin to cope with anything that's thrown at him," the 60-year-old told Sky Sports News. "Arsene [Wenger] loses the [EFL] Cup, nobody talks about him getting there, they talk about the performance and the defeat, so it's his turn to get criticism.
"It was Jose [Mourinho's] turn the week before. That's what the press do, that's what supporters do, if you're underperforming, you come under some stick."
Pardew has also managed West Ham United and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Jonny Whitfield
