“mid table ageing championship players who lack desire” . Where did that come from? Not what I see at all. I know you’re not on your own but I’ve seen players busting a gut every week. Players who would have undoubtedly been in the play offs if Carlos hadn’t of left. I’m not excited over a manager with limited experience though. It all remains to be seen.
We would have been in there, even with lots of draws. We didnt lose many games with Carlos. Just count the losses under Mowbray as draws and we would have been in the top six. Bartley did well in some areas. A lot of people seem to dismiss clearances, heading duels, headed clearances and only see tackles on the ground as proof of a good defender. It will be interesting to see how a new manager goes about things. Either way lets hope we have a good season.
You would not need a crystal ball to see that the clubs preferred choice is Ryan Mason. He has been top of the wanted list since day one.
Whoever ever gets the job I will get behind them, though some perhaps with more enthusiasm than others.
Boingy, you make a good point re adding a point for each of the losses under TM. We would have made the play offs. That said the writing was on the wall once Carlos had departed and I did say we would not get promoted back then.
We must also remember Carlos had his critics just prior to his departure. There was a minority who said he was done and unable to take the team further at the tail end of 2024. The old adage of ‘be careful what you wish for’ certainly bit us on the butt.
I wonder how long the next incumbent will last if we are not top four at end of December?
Anyway, roll on next season whoever we get. Player and Coach wise.
I think were all hoping. We were spoiled with Carlos. West Brom fans criticism is one reason if I was a manager Id never take the job. Its a poisoned chalice. One bad performance and your head would be on a stick. I cant deal with that mindset. I have to protect myself from it.
People who spend good money want to be entertained at a football game - not every match but more often than not. The last three months under CC the football was very boring more times than not - you can therefore understand the criticism Carlos got. So was this Carlos or Carlos knowing the players weren?t good enough so he had to set up a certain way? I would now say after the Mowbray era - it was solely down to the players regardless who was manager.
Let?s be truthful - the engine of any side is the midfield. Mowatt is too slow and JM whilst the tenacity is there - he?s inconsistent and lacks quality.
Bartley and Furlong are poor players and this showed under Mowbray. Maybe they were not exposed so much with a class keeper like Palmer!
We don?t have a decent striker and Armstrong did not impress. Wallace needs to be moved on as he?s over the hill. Not convinced with Dike even if he stays fit which don?t believe he will.
We need to reduce the age and try more youngsters. Look at Sunderland their average age was 23. Going back to midfield ( the engine ) - Bellingham is a different class to Mowatt and JM.
For me it?s irrelevant who the manager is when players are not good enough. Carlos in hindsight did a great job with a poor ageing squad!
Albion have given Ryan Mason a Sunday evening deadline, if he wants the job
Furlong is not a poor player. A player who averages 7.02 over 42 games is an asset at any club. Hes also won 98% of his aerial duels, and has other good stats. His tackling isnt one of his best stats but when you consider that Fellows assists (most of them) came from a Furlong pass you can see his value. Some of those passes were exceptional. Hes 29 now, very fit but we will need some competition and future replacement.
Last edited by boingy; 31-05-2025 at 04:47 PM.
Don?t rate him Boingy and many Albion fans at the games say the same. Look on social media and Furling gets it in the neck.
Let?s be fair - he had some good games under CC but his last 10 games of the season his performances fell off the cliff. Fine going forward but rarely marks his man in the box. The first goal v Derby when he ducked was what you would expect of a pub player.
Let?s see under a new manager. I stuck up for Bartley when he was slated and again his performances fell off a cliff at the end of the season.
I say again and again - the biggest problem with our side is the lack of talent, pace and creativity in midfield. Take Mowatt and JM - both are not good enough to lace Pereira?s laces when we had him. Same when we had Mulumbu and Yacob. Sunderland function well with their youth and pace. Oh - for a Bellingham in our side who is twice the player of Mowatt and JM and he?s not even 20!
More and more I think about it - CC did a great job with poor players and he knew it hence the style of play. A new manager is irrelevant unless he brings in youth and pace like Sunderland. It?s the way forward in my view!