Tony Pulis had not long sat down but he was nearly on his feet again when it was put to him for a second time that he specialises in 'firefighting' in the Premier League.
The point being made was that his latest challenge at second-tier Middlesbrough is different to his most recent posts at West Brom and Crystal Palace.
'I have been promoted out of every league in England,' he shot back. 'I have been to an FA Cup final and the last throes of the UEFA Cup. I have not just spent my life at the bottom of the league fighting relegation.