MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren hailed the legacy left behind by predecessor Bryan Robson ahead of today's game with West Bromwich Albion.

Robson returns to the Riverside for the first time in four years with his Baggies' side fighting for their Premiership lives but, on the back of a recent good run.

The Midlands' team have lost only one in six games - a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - as they bid to stave off relegation.

Boro on the other hand have won only two Premiership games this year and were lucky to escape with a point against Fulham on Tuesday.

McClaren admitted he was happy to be the beneficiary of the foundations set by both Robson and chairman Steve Gibson and confirmed it was the 'main' reason he accepted the post on Teesside nearly four years ago.

The Boro boss marvelled at the club's state of the art training facilities and youth academy at Hurworth prior to this afternoon's game and, admitted he is now reaping the rewards. Stewart Downing, Stuart Parnaby, Tony McMahon and James Morisson are a testament to that this season.

"The club was in a fantastic position when I came here," admitted McClaren. "It was one of the main reasons I came here.

"It was up and coming; its profile was high; a new stadium and a new training ground. The foundations were there and we've just taken it on and tried to do our best since.

"I said it at the time and I'll say it now four years later, Bryan Robson did a fantastic job for Middlesbrough Football Club, and it should be respected.

"The chairman (Steve Gibson) and Bryan were a good team for seven years. They went from Ayresome Park, from I don't know how many thousand, to a new stadium which were sell outs; big signings; three cup finals and a new training ground. It had the profile, the facilities and the tradition. It just needed to succeed."

McClaren says he does not know Robson personally but it didn't stop the present and former Boro bosses having lunch together last week.

"I had dinner with him in Turin last week when Keith (Lamb) and I went to watch Liverpool v Juventus," said McClaren.

"Bryan was there with Alan Irvine doing a study visit (of Juventus) as part of the pro-licence badge.

"After the game we joined up had a meal together and had a very good evening and, a couple of glasses of wine."

McClaren admits they discussed everything but this afternoon's clash at the Riverside in Italy but admits he knows enough not to underestimate Robson's team.

The Boro boss confessed he was still angry about his side's mid-week performance against Fulham, but says they are determined to bounce back.

He said: "They're (WBA) fighting relegation and they're doing very well at it, and it's going to be a tough game for us.

"I'm annoyed, upset and disappointed at this present moment with the performance on Tuesday and the reaction and the allegations after the game.

"We have to make sure we put in a better performance than we did then, otherwise we won't win any football matches.

"We played them in his (Robson's) first game and there looked like there was a lot of work to do and he's doing it.

"He had time out from the game and he used it to good effect. He has come back with a different mentality and outlook.

"He's developing West Brom into a very good team, let's hope they have an off day.

"I think he's made an excellent appointment in Nigel Pearson as his assistant and they are developing into a very good side. The results are showing, anyone playing any relegation team is in for a very difficult game."

* The Boro boss yesterday refused to confirm or deny an interest in Juventus and Ghana international midfielder Stephen Appiah.