Crystal Palace v West Brom - Can Darren Moore outwit one of his coaching idols in Roy Hodgson?

Albion’s caretaker boss has had an eye-catching and encouraging start to life in the dug-out, and it’s evident, even at this early stage, that he knows how to get the best out of his players.

Although Moore officially returned to the Baggies as a youth team coach in June 2012, a month after Hodgson departed for England, the centre-back had been coming into help the academy out before that.

And he recalls being impressed by the way Hodgson conducted himself on the training ground.

“Roy is an absolutely incredible human being,” said Moore. “He had wonderful leadership qualities, had a great understanding of the game, and was affectionate with the supporters and staff here.

“In terms of me, as a young up-and-coming coach it was great to see him work, it was wonderful to see him communicate with the players and staff.

“The aura that he had about him was a positive one that brought a lot of energy to West Brom.

“He’s definitely somebody I look up to and I’ve got great admiration for him. He’s had a wonderful career as a manager, I’m really looking forward to seeing him on Sunday.

“He’s simple but effective and the relationships that he builds with players is a key component to being a manager or coach.

“What happened at Crystal Palace doesn’t surprise me. Roy leads from the front, he’s got a wonderful team with him, you see the brand of football and energy he’s brought there. That’s why they are where they are.”

There may be 26 years between the pair and Hodgson may have four decades in the dug-out over Moore, but Albion’s caretaker has already bested some experienced managers in the past few weeks.

And he’s determined to keep the momentum that has been built up over the past five games going into a busy summer.

“It would be great to finish on an unbeaten run,” said Moore. “It’s very, very important to finish the season on a high.

“In recent weeks, we’ve got some wonderful results against some really good football clubs. We need to continue that.”

But Moore admitted he would have to pick his players up from the disappointment of being relegated on Tuesday.

After being written off for weeks, Moore had restored a glimmer of hope that the impossible could be done.

“It was a low point for the players and the staff, it really was,” he said. “I can accept that as it showed there was genuine care and feeling for the football club.

“Even though we’ve been languishing in around it, there was real disappointment because of those aspects of that belief, energy, hope and momentum that was going around the place.”

And now that relegation is confirmed, Moore is contemplating deviating away from the unchanged line-up he has picked for his first five games in charge.

“It’s possible that could happen because we’ve got a fully fit squad to pick from apart from Gareth Barry and James Morrison,” he said. “They’re all vying to play in the last game of the season, we’ll have a look.”

Can they go out with a bang and keep Moore's unbeaten record intact? Don't rule it out.

Oppostion dangerman - Wilfried Zaha

At the risk of provoking Roy Hodgson’s ire, Crystal Palace have leant heavily on the winger’s abilities this season. He’s the fulcrum of their attacking manoeuvres, and has had a hand in 13 goals this season, more than any other Palace player. Not only that, they’ve lost all nine league games he’s missed.

Albion's key man - Craig Dawson

The defender has been monumental in recent weeks, but Zaha and Townsend will offer a trickier test to the traditional No.9s he’s excelled against. Both he and Hegazi will need to have their wits about them and their running legs on.

Likely line-ups

Albion (4-4-1-1): Foster, Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs, Phillips, Brunt, Livermore, McClean, Rodriguez, Rondon.

Subs: Myhill, Evans, Yacob, Field, Burke, Chadli, Sturridge.

Crystal Palace (4-1-3-2): Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, McArthur, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek, Townsend, Zaha.

Subs: Cavalieri, Kelly, Lee, Schlupp, Benteke, Sorloth, Puncheon.