West Brom boss Sam Allardyce: I've calmed down in management

But the Baggies chief says all managers have to be brave enough to be honest with players if they want to be successful in the game.

Speaking earlier this week, midfielder Ainsely Maitland-Niles said he believes Allardyce’s no-nonsense approach is turning him into a better player.

“He can tell me what he thinks, pull me to one side or shout at me in front of everyone – it makes no difference to me,” Maitland-Niles said.

“The gaffer is very honest and will tell you anything you need to hear.

“He is straight to the point with how he feels. He only says these things because he cares and because he wants to help us all improve. I love the direct approach he has.”

But when asked about Maitland-Niles’ comments, Allardyce joked that he used to be a lot more direct and forthright with his words.

“I actually think I have calmed down – I’m not as bad as I used to be,” the 66-year-old said.

“I feel I have calmed down in my old age. But I do like to get my point across.

“There is no hiding from the truth, especially with how the game is today.

“When you can look at the statistics we have, the visuals we have – look at the technology we have today.

“I think that technology means you can analyse every part of a player’s game both individually and collectively.

“They are under the scrutiny of 25 or 30 cameras that televise the game.

“They face the same thing when we break the game down.

“Breaking a game down is not about criticising.

“Sometimes you have to – but it has to be constructive criticism.

“Then you look at the good things you have done and the things you can improve on.

“There is a blend of both.

“A lot of time is spent putting that together by the analysts.

“They spend hours and hours working just to put 15 minutes of video together.

“I give them great credit. I call them the tappers because whenever you see one they are always tap, tap, tapping on their mouse.”

Albion have played well in their last five games – albeit without getting the wins they desperately need.

And Allardyce feels Maitland-Niles – and fellow central midfielders Okay Yokulsu and Conor Gallagher – are a huge reason why performances are now going in the right direction.

“I think Ainsley, Conor and Okay have given a backbone to the team,” the boss added. “They have given us stability.

“You have got Okay who loves that (holding midfield) position, he does his job so Conor and Ainsley can play like they play.

“The pair of them have got energy to burn. They cover the ground, they track back and they get forward.

“They close down and win the ball. They get the ball into wide areas for the lads to create. And they get back and shut the opposition midfield players down.

“Those three have been fantastic.”