West Bromwich Albion manager Pepe Mel has praised his assistants Keith Downing and Dean Kiely for the role they have played since his arrival at the club.

Mel, who tasted victory for the first time in the Premier League last week against Swansea City, revealed that Downing and Kiely speak to the squad in the changing rooms at half time.

"Deano and Keith are very important people for me," the Spaniard told reporters. "At half time they speak with the players. I think it's better.

"I'm 51, and four months before I arrived here I never spoke English. I think in three or four months I'll speak well.

"Always I speak with Keith and Deano to explain my ideas and talk about the opponent, and then at half-time Keith and Dean talk about it with the players."

The Baggies take on Hull City on Saturday afternoon.