By Terry Wills.
Sunday’s news really shocked the football world – and I do not mean Fernando Torres making a very expensive and losing start against his former club Liverpool.
No, for Albion fans THE big news story was that once again the club are looking to appoint a new manager, sorry ‘Head Coach’ after deciding Roberto Di Matteo would be the latest name to discover his title had been removed from the office door.
Was I shocked? Were the majority of fans shocked? Was it totally unexpected taking into account a horrendous run of defeats that had plunged West Bromwich Albion deep into trouble, one point above the dread relegation places in the Greed League?
Well for myself, and I suggest for the majority of supporters, the answer would be a definite YES. Agreed, he was making mistakes, as do most manager/coaches, but surely Roberto deserved more time to reverse the trend and achieve his and our desire to avoid the drop?
Critics, and there were a few, will argue that his record speaks for itself. Just that one point ahead of the bottom three, a lack of goals at one end and at the other a defence leaking them as if they were going out of fashion.
But set against this, remember that in his first full season he guided us to promotion and introduced a style of football supporters appreciated, courtesy of a series of continuing attacking displays. In the process he also left us hoping we’d enjoy a season in which we wouldn’t be struggling to avoid another relegation battle.
Early on the national media were full of praise at the quality of the Baggies football, Sharing the points at Old Trafford after trailing 2-0. Beating Arsenal at the Emirates, scoring four goals in the process, and leaving Goodison Park with a 4-1 victory as a keepsake.
Other matches from which we deserved at least a share of the points included Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, and home game against Alex’s Ferguson Manchester United when they were very, very lucky not to have lost their first league game of the season well before Wolves did the necessary last Saturday.
Referring decision and the number of clear-cut penalties that weren’t awarded didn’t help. Fair enough, every team will claim this happens to them and Di Matteo’s uttering that they’ve cost Albion several points is just an excuse to hide his failings. But then if (and if can be used as an excuse to hide a multitude of sins) Albion had been awarded several spot-kicks we would definitely be in a far more secure position than the league table shows.
Roberto’s all out attacking policy was costing the team dear and he is now in the position of having to find himself a club prepared to adopt to his personal philosophy on how the game should be played. Yes, some of his team selections were puzzling but then I daresay fans will disagree on just what formation, and policy, the club should adapt from whoever’s next to move into the hot seat.
Who will it be? Hard question but among others the names of Sam Allardyce, Chris Houghton, and Alan Curbishley are being touted around.
Will the club be considered an attractive proposition for the many managers currently resting between jobs, or have the board someone in mind?
If so, Derek McInnes has to be in with a chance and if he was offered the job I reckon there wouldn’t be many counter-arguments from Baggies supporters, who took him to heart during his playing career at the Hawthorns.
All we can do is to wait and see, hoping Jeremy Peace and the board can quickly agree on who will can be the incumbent in the hot-seat. It will be their job to stave off what would be further proof, if any were needed, that West Bromwich Albion are destined for ever and a day never to be in deep financial difficulties, but also to reside a million miles from a comfortable, stabilised, position in the Greed League.
Thanks Roberto, and best of luck from every Albion fan. At times we queried your team selection, tactics and the rest, but we nevertheless remain grateful for last season’s success.
Let’s hope your eventual replacement can stave off yet another relegation struggle and whatever the futures hold for you personally, I reckon every Baggies fan wishes you all the best.