Tony Mowbray is prepared to draw a line under the war of words that has erupted with Birmingham City since the now-infamous Paul Robinson incident.
Depending on whether you speak to people at The Hawthorns at St Andrew's, the rhetoric fluctuates wildly.
According to Blues manager Steve Bruce, Robinson's challenge on Damien Johnson that left his captain with a fractured jaw and Robinson the recipient of a red card, was a disgrace. The alternative standpoint, adopted by Mowbray, was that Robinson made a genuine attempt to reclaim the ball and has been unfairly persecuted by Blues.
Mowbray is visibly unhappy with the whole episode but, with Robinson set to serve a three-match ban for his misdemeanour, the Albion boss is sticking to his guns.
"I had my say on Monday and I stand by what I said then," said Mowbray unequivocally last night. "I came back and watched it many, many times on the video and I saw no intent or malice in that challenge.
"That has been followed through at the FA and he will take his punishment and we can draw a line under it.
"Paul has been disappointed at the way things have been reported over the last week or so.
"He knows himself, whether he's sat at home, driving in his car, or going to bed at night; you have this inner thing you talk to called your conscience and he knows what that's about. He takes his three-game suspension and he comes back raring to go again."
Mowbray has more pressing concerns ahead of his side's trip tomorrow to Pride Park to face a Derby County side buoyed by their midweek victory over Barnsley.
Albion stuttered against Queens Park Rangers and their negligent defending caused them to carelessly lose two points, courtesy of a 3-3 draw.
A poor defensive performance was exacerbated by Pascal Zuberbuhler's showing, a display that was bereft of any confidence.
Mowbray is acutely aware that his towering goalkeeper is currently undergoing a sticky spell between the posts but is prepared to stand by his man. "The only way is to work though it," said Mowbray, referring to Zuberbuhler's recent dip in form. "He's worked extremely hard with [goalkeeping coach] Joe Corrigan and the other keepers.
"Every player who goes through it, whether they're a keeper, or a striker who hasn't scored in a dozen games, knows they can work their way out of it.
"You just intensify your professionalism. There's no pill you can take to give you confidence.
"For any player, not just Zubi (Zuberbuhler), it's just a simple case of applying himself and doing the basics right."
Mowbray also admitted that Darren Carter was unlikely to return from the hamstring injury sustained against Arsenal for the short trip across the Midlands.
Nigel Quashie is another likely absentee but Mowbray is delighted to welcome Kevin Phillips back into the fold following his recent injury travails.
"Darren Carter's very close to being fit but we will probably leave him out this weekend," confirmed Mowbray.
"He can then resume training on Monday and get a full week's training under his belt.Nigel didn't train today. His ankle's still giving him a bit of trouble and he's got to be doubtful but Kevin Phillips is fully fit. He's scoring goals in training and chomping at the bit.
"He's been a bit frustrated. He's been scoring goals all his career and, when you score a hat-trick, you just want to get out on the pitch again.
"With that sharpness around the box he has, he just might have taken a few of the chances we've created over the last few games. "John Hartson knows he's still got a little bit to go with his level of fitness, but he's working extremely hard. There's not a session goes by that he does not do a bit extra and I'm delighted with his application."
