West Brom manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he 'likes disagreements' and fears Steve Bruce's clash with Matt Ritchie may work in Newcastle United's favour this Sunday.
The teams meet at the Hawthorns and Newcastle come into the game with their preparation overshadowed by a training ground bust-up between Ritchie and Bruce.
Fans have accused Bruce of losing the dressing room, while the head coach himself has told reporters everyone inside the club has moved on from the clash.
Allardyce, when asked about it in a pre-match press conference, felt there is nothing wrong with a player and manager have a heated discussion.
"It’s a disagreement - what’s wrong with it? I like disagreements.
"I like people to air their views and argue. It means they care.
"We should speak up for ourselves and not be subservient if we feel like we’ve been wronged. If the player says it to you as the manager and feels that you’re wrong, why not speak up?
"Say what you feel, there’s nothing wrong with it. Then you sort it out, get on with it, it’s forgotten the next day - or should be. It’s a good thing having disagreements and digging each other out.
"This world is, unfortunately, getting far too pathetic as far as I’m concerned in terms of criticism or telling people that they’re not giving the right attitude, or a player telling a manager: I think you’re wrong. What’s wrong with it?
"It should galvanise. People always want to make too much fuss about it, because bad news is good news.
"They love writing about it and reporting on it.
"I find it laughable, let’s put it that way."
The Baggies lost 1-0 to Everton on Thursday night meaning they are now nine points off safety - where Newcastle lie.
Allardyce, who has a great record of only losing twice to Newcastle in 12 games, admits this one is a must-win for his side.
"If we beat Newcastle, we’re only six points away from them. If we lose, we’re 12 points away. That would make it as big a task as anybody has achieved to try and stay in the Premier League with the number of games that are left.
"It could still be done mathematically, but it would make life extremely difficult. That’s how big this one is."
