West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has praised Baggies fans for their loyal backing despite the team looking at a quick return to the Championship. Mowbray said: "I can only praise the supporters. They have been steadfast behind the team all year.

"I understood the disappointment of losing the last home game against Stoke. It had been a game that I had particularly built up, with the Bolton game, as games we had to win.

"The disappointment was hanging heavy for everyone. But I still feel the supporters are firmly behind us.

"They have seen some performances that have been spirited and they have seen a team that is in the game and could have won the matches, rather than a side that didn't have a shot and wasn't really in the match."

Mowbray added: "I can't dictate to the supporters how they react to the team but I can prepare the team to try and produce the kind of football that does give us the chance to win games.

"That is one that creates opportunities and plays fluent, attacking football. Then the supporters can make their choices. That is how football is.

"You either come and support your team or you are unhappy with what you have seen and then you are well within your rights to show that.

"What I have seen in the last two and a half years at this club is that Albion fans have suffered heartache along the way.

"They have seen it all before and they seem to be resilient to the fact they are going to have bad times."

Mowbray claimed: "You shouldn't be a football supporter if you are not prepared for bad times. You can support Manchester United and yet, when they lost in the semi-final of the cup, you see little boys crying.

"Look at the success they have. If you are a football fan you have to take the highs and the lows. You have to go with the flow of supporting your club and support them all the way.

"That means facing another relegation, and I am not preaching to people, but if I was a supporter born and bred growing up in the West Midlands and supporting West Bromwich Albion, I would support my team in whatever division they are in.

"Not everyone can be top of the league, or win the FA Cup or Champions League.

"All you can do is be as competitive as you can and try to give your fans some entertainment. We try to be as successful as we can with the means we have got."