Albion await their once mighty Jol

In the eyes of Albion fans, replacing a club great such as Robson was a task akin to assuming the leadership of India after Gandhi, but Jol's attempt at mission impossible was well-received. A £250,000 recruit from Twente Enschede, the Holland international played more than 70 games for the club before moving to Coventry in 1984.

Former team-mate Regis, who is still friends with Jol, said: "You have got to remember that Bryan was phenomenal. He was the complete footballer. I've never seen anyone else like him.

"It was always going to be a tough job for whoever came in, but Martin held his own and the fans were very supportive. He was big for a midfielder and liked to tackle but he could also pass the ball as well. I was not surprised he later went into coaching because he also used to think about the game a lot."

Jol, whose playing career also included spells at Bayern Munich and hometown club Den Haag, had a reputation as a playmaker but was asked to do a marking job in England.

He said: "I marked the attacking midfield player, or the second striker - Dalglish, Keegan, Hoddle, Brooking. I think I picked up five or six bookings in my first seven games. I spent two really happy years at West Brom. I was a bit of a rarity because there were very few foreigners playing in the Football League in those days. After playing for Bayern Munich, I returned to Holland and said I'd never play abroad again. Arsenal tried to sign me and I said no. Albion tried and I said no.

"Six months later Albion phoned again and asked me over for a week to see what it was like. I liked it so much I stayed. More than that, when Ronnie Allen asked if I knew any good right-sided midfield players I recommended my friend, Romeo Zondervan. He played on the right for Albion for the next seven years."

Coaching was a natural progression for Jol when he retired from playing.

After starting in the Dutch non-League, successful spells at unfashionable Roda and RKC Waalwijk brought his skills to wider attention. The 49-year-old was interviewed for the Manchester United assistant manager's job before Tottenham lured him to White Hart Lane last summer.

It is a managerial CV which stands in marked contrast to Robson who had a mixed spell at Middlesbrough, then failed to save Bradford from relegation last year before replacing Gary Megson two months ago.

Regis added: "I think Martin comes across as a very honest manager and he has certainly galvanised Tottenham. The players all seem to be enjoying his structure which allows them freedom to express themselves.

"I also think Bryan did a good job at Middlesbrough. He laid the foundations for what they are doing now."

Spurs drew 1-1 at Albion in August, before Jol had been elevated to replace Jacques Santini in November.

"Visiting the Hawthorns again was like going home," said Jol. "It's a lovely family club. I still have friends there - Gary Owen, Clive Whitehead, Alistair Robertson.

"I talk to Cyrille on the phone from time to time. I know who they'll be supporting tomorrow."

Fredi Kanoute and Simon Davies are both available after injury.