Punters have plunged on Albion's Steve Coppell to be the new manager of West Ham.

Coppell has been backed down from 33-1 to 7-1, fourth favourite with leading bookmakers Ladbrokes.

A Ladbroke's spokesman, Warren Lush, revealed: "There was a big rush on Coppell on Thursday and it wasn't just from a certain area, it was all over the place.

"We've had three-figure bets on him. Sometimes these gambles are significant and sometimes they are not.

"It could be that he was just too big a price."

Former Albion player Howard Wilkinson was backed right down from 66-1 with Ladbrokes the day before he was appointed boss of Sunderland.

Oldham chief Iain Dowie is the hot favourite to succeed the sacked Glenn Roder as West Ham's manager, although Stuart Pearce was supported yesterday down to 5-2.

Former Albion loan signing Steve Cotterill is third favourite at 6-1, with ex-Seagulls boss Peter Taylor a 10-1 shot, alongside George Graham.

Caretaker Hammers boss Trevor Brooking admitted: "You need someone who knows the division and will get you out of it.

"I can't discuss where all of those who are interested in it have come from but there is a complete spread. We've got to do our thinking and research. We haven't got a shortlist despite the speculation."