Lee Sharpe backs Albion's new boss

Lee Sharpe believes new boss Roy Hodgson will bring defensive steel to Albion's survival fight – as he tipped his former club Manchester United to win the title race.

Sharpe, originally from Halesowen, was back in the West Midlands from his home in Leeds for a Sportsman's Dinner last night at Kidderminster Harriers.

The 39-year-old spoke at Aggborough just hours after Hodgson's appointment as the new head coach at the Hawthorns, replacing Roberto Di Matteo who was sacked last Sunday.

And the former Liverpool boss will tighten up the Baggies backline and give them a better chance of staying in the Premier League, according to Sharpe.

He said: "I think he will do alright at Albion, he's got a decent side he is taking over because Di Matteo was a good manager who had them playing football.

"But Roy will bring a bit of discipline defensively, a bit of organisation and will make them a better team.

"I think they have got every chance of staying up."

Sharpe has been keeping tabs on the battle for the Premier League through his television work in Abu Dhabi, where he has just returned from working as a guest commentator on AD Sports.

The former United and England winger has seen his former team lead the way at the top with local rivals City in pursuit, as the two teams locked horns in the Manchester derby today.

Arsenal are also in the hunt but it's United who are top of the tree, despite losing their Premier League unbeaten record at Wolves last week.

But Sharpe believes that will prove just a blip in United's march to the title.

He said: "Manchester United have not played well but were unbeaten up until last week and are still top of the league and have still got their top form to come.

"Manchester City are still looking strong but I am not sure they believe they can win the title, they don't know if they can handle it because they haven't been there.

"It's an interesting title race this year, but United have got themselves in a great position and are stronger as the season goes on, so I do think they will win it."