For Albion fans, one point of contention was whether Big Dave’s successful run in the final 6 games of the season was positive in that it alleviated the stench of Pulis/Pardew, or whether it was negative in that it forced us to view Moore on emotional rather than objective terms. Indeed, when Moore candidly discussed his desire to “change the culture” of the club the majority of fans took it at face-value; a cynic may claim that Moore is lowering expectations.

In spite of all of these things, my desire for Moore to succeed is absolutely massive, not just because he’s the current Albion manager, but because he’s Big Dave. Because his rhetoric seems like an alpine-sized gust of fresh air. Because he played for us. Because his leadership is value-based rather than the conventional autocratic leadership style that you get in football.

August is often a time for dreaming. The departure of toxic characters; the return of the green and yellow away kit; Big Dave; local talent in Field, Harper and Edwards. In that final ***** hour before the season kicks off, one can get carried away. Particularly, when we are compelled to view the manager and the club on such emotive terms. Particularly, when Big Dave looks so resplendent in his all-black attire. Particularly when we hear stories of how he once intimidated Roy Keane at Derby contrasting with his good-Christian persona. Particularly, when football’s inherent need for a black manager to succeed is overwhelming. And once more, I ask - are we projecting our own fantasies and anxieties onto him?

Optimists often refer to how Moore was integral to Albion, Derby and Bradford’s promotions as a player. Whilst the experience of promotion as a player may be useful as context, as a reference point - ultimately, transferrable skills are a myth. Being proficient at analysing the Crimean War at school, does not mean you will necessarily be successful at analysing a spreadsheet. What matters is having the domain-specific knowledge of the role; of tactics; of the players.

Tony Pulis is widely heralded as the Boogie Man at West Brom. His methods are demonstrably effective for a given amount of time before the players and fans give into a state of ennui. Pulis is in his 26th year of management, he has domain-specific knowledge of the role, he has learnt from mistakes. As a man of limited resources myself, I often get a pay-optional haircut at the School of Barbers from someone who seems modern but inexperienced, when I contrast the level of service I get from the old man I used to frequent in Kidderminster the difference is staggering. The old geezer might seem out of touch but in his career, he has seen all manner of barnets (just as Pulis has struggled with his Berahino’s, his Beattie’s) and he isn’t fazed. My point is that Moore is just starting out. It is wildly unfair to expect him to succeed. It is wildly unfair to project all of these values onto him.

Moore only joined the coaching staff at WBA, just over a year ago. He has watched Pulis and Pardew from afar, then he is cast into a strange set of footballing circumstances and succeeds, and is now rewarded by having a job in a different league, in different circumstances - and by the end of the window - broadly different players. His appointment, is a footballing version on the Peter Principle, the notion that workers within a hierarchy will rise on the strength of their skills, right up to the exact point those skills are no longer any use to them.

And to return to his influences: presumably, Moore was more enamoured by the modus operandi of Pulis given his decision to play 4-4-1-1 in all of his 8 games, thus far. In many respects, Pulis is the Maggie Thatcher of football management: an evil witch but ultimately effective. When Theresa May was appointed, the public anticipated much of the same - but in truth, she is merely extremely evil. And this can be seen as analogous to Moore’s tactics - he has only ever been involved in a coaching set-up with Pulis or Pardew, and has accordingly, tried to parrot the vertical, agricultural football of Pulis with limited success. Indeed, our results against Man United, Liverpool, Newcastle and Spurs were not enterprising but plucky - but because it was Moore, we viewed it on emotional terms rather than objective.

Now that we have had a rude awakening against Bolton and Forest: Moore will have to either adapt or die. The very fact that he insisted that newly-appointed assistant manager (and de facto attacking coach) have a holiday after his long World Cup campaign with Belgium reinforces that Big Dave is a smashing chap, but a more ruthless man may have compromised. There is a hope that the longer Jones is around the squad, the better they will be going forward.

Like an alcoholic, maybe we need to hit rock-bottom before we can reform. But in truth, we need to be proactive rather than reactive. We can act before we hit rock-bottom. Albion need to be bold, bloody and resolute.