03-12-2014, 01:50
On the radio, Bomber was asked what the problem is with Albion. He hit the nail on the head:
"Having not bought better players over the last three years to replace Lukaku, Long and Odemwingie."
This is the crux of the matter. This is what's killing us as a Premier League team. Alan Irvine's walked into a damn near impossible situation, and for that reason I sympathise with him, because I'm sure he's a nice bloke and he only had good intentions, and he probably has been undermined by the existing situation at the club. But at this point, unfortunately, I do think he's making it worse. I don't buy into the cult of Pepe Mel - far too tactically naïve for the Prem, in my opinion, although the basic philosophy was sound - but the bloke knew how to get the fans onside, command a bit of respect and generally create a spirit of unity. Those qualities are, sadly, a distant memory now.
"Having not bought better players over the last three years to replace Lukaku, Long and Odemwingie."
This is the crux of the matter. This is what's killing us as a Premier League team. Alan Irvine's walked into a damn near impossible situation, and for that reason I sympathise with him, because I'm sure he's a nice bloke and he only had good intentions, and he probably has been undermined by the existing situation at the club. But at this point, unfortunately, I do think he's making it worse. I don't buy into the cult of Pepe Mel - far too tactically naïve for the Prem, in my opinion, although the basic philosophy was sound - but the bloke knew how to get the fans onside, command a bit of respect and generally create a spirit of unity. Those qualities are, sadly, a distant memory now.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley