[drewks]

For what it's worth - and sure it will get me some stick - it looks like I'm the only vote for Irvine.

Yes, he looked out of his depth; yes, we weren't getting the best results; but actually, we played decent football (not great football I'll admit but he encouraged the players to pass and we certainly looked nicer on the eye than we do now), he had a decent defensive record (achieved 5-10 clean sheets in the run up to his sacking), he had terrible luck with officials decisions and we conceded a number of deflected/lucky goals, and, most importantly, the players liked him.

Under Pulis we might grind out more results but its clear that the players don't like his style of football and suggestions are we have lost out on players like Praet because of our style of play. He's changed the whole ethos of the club, which granted, was needed, but I'm not sure I like the new direction.

Sherwood is so arrogant and egotistical that even if he is a decent man manager who plays good football I wouldn't want him near our club.

I've always been so proud to be an albion fan, even when we were getting thumped every week in Div 1. I've struggled to say that now for a couple of years - we've made awful decisions on and off the pitch and the whole club seems to still have a cloud hanging over it.

Although it would have got us relegated, I fear that Pepe Mel might have been the best way to restore some pride. I would also have been happy to see RDM again if the opportunity arose.

.... no stick from me, latecomer!
Agree with a lot of what you say and particularly like the part about 'pride'; TOTALLY agree about Mel and RDM who both seemed to want to do things "the Albion way" - then got sacked for it