[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

He's a bit of an enigma, RDM. Was accused of choking when the heat was on at MK Dons (though some argue he actually overachieved with them, and given they're still in League One that's perhaps a fairer assessment); we had a few wobbles under him with a generally strong squad in the Championship, but ultimately we "cowboyed up" when it mattered and broke a few records on our way up, so he deserves credit for that and for some great wins that first autumn back in the Prem. But just what happened that winter? Tales abound of him out on the golf course when our players desperately needed some organisation, discipline and even basic encouragement. Ultimately we'll never know whether he could have pushed us to those last twelve or thirteen points we needed to survive, but watch that season review DVD again, see the goals we conceded against the likes of Wigan and Blackpool and tell me we'd have beaten Liverpool, Villa or even Blues defending like that...

He took Chelsea to the Champions League with a group of players who wanted to prove a point following their shameful ousting of AVB, and yet when the going got tough later that year, RDM once again couldn't get the tough going (though admittedly, he wasn't really given much of a chance). Amazingly, Albion remains his longest ever managerial tenure, lasting just eighteen months.

I like the bloke and wish him well, but I feel this job will be the career-defining one for him. Can he stay the course with a stable top-flight team and lead them to long-term success? Best of luck with it, Robbie; we'll watch with interest.