Setting the mould: Pepe Mel to enforce his style at West Brom

The Spaniard still hopes to get the go-ahead to rebuild the Baggies squad for next term at crunch talks with chairman Jeremy Peace next week.

And, after some players questioned his methods behind the scenes in the early weeks of his Hawthorns reign, Mel insists next season's squad will have to accept his preferred style of play after he was forced to compromise this season after tense meetings with players and fellow coaches.

"There was a moment when we sat down when I first came here," he said.

"Our main idea was to be pragmatic and that meant making things as comfortable as possible for the players.

"That doesn't mean for me that is the best way to move forward but that was the best way to fight relegation and be safe.

"I arrived here on January 14 and encountered many problems from the start. I had our best striker sold to Hull City and then the Nicolas Anelka situation.

"We had to convince the dressing room that we all had to work hand in hand to go down a certain path. I want to carry on improving and if that means certain talks need to be had with certain players they will be had. If West Brom decide I am the man they want in charge, those talks will need to be had."

"If I'm the West Brom manager next season everything will have to be done hand in hand, together.

"There's also a lot of uncertainty regarding the players so it is important that everyone knows who is boss."

Mel was lauded at his appointment as the man to change the Baggies' playing style and, despite compromising his high-tempo philosophies this term, he admitted it would represent a u-turn if the club changed course again.

"When I was brought into this football club I was appointed for my style of play for the teams I have managed in 16 years," he said.

"I've always had the same style."