Questions are being asked amongst the West Brom faithful as to the extent of Darren Moore\u2019s standing at West Brom. A recent interview with a former player and questionable comments by a club owner regarding a summer target have cast doubt over exactly how much input Darren Moore has as manager of the Midlands side.<\/p>\n
Darren Moore was hired as West Brom boss on a permanent basis this summer following his impressive spell at the tail end of last season. It was an appointment that Albion fans happily rejoiced in, a former player for the Black Country club returning as boss. But there are a few warning signs already that all is not as it seems with the Baggies.<\/p>\n
Recent revelations have shed some light on how things are currently being run behind the scenes at the Hawthorns. Throwing Moore\u2019s managerial role into question, it appears that Moore doesn\u2019t have final decision on players at the club. Players he wanted to keep were released and players he wanted to sign were turned away.<\/p>\n
Now this kind of transfer activity may have become part and parcel of modern management at some clubs. But comments from former West Brom defender Gareth McAuley, regarding his game time during Albion\u2019s terrible Premier League campaign last season, make clear that team selection at the Hawthorns isn\u2019t always as it seems either.<\/p>\n
Former Baggies man Gareth McAuley recently spoke about being released by West Brom this summer. The 38-year-old Northern Irish defender sat down for an interview with The Times, the interview quickly made waves amongst the West Brom fan base.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke to Big Mooro,” said McAuley. “He said if he got the job, he\u2019d want me around.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the summer I was preparing myself to go back. Then I got a call from Big Mooro.<\/p>\n
“He said, \u2018Look, the club have a problem with your age.\u2019 \u2018OK. Can you show me on the GPS?\u2019 My figures were always good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clearly, Darren Moore didn\u2019t get the final say on McAuley\u2019s departure from the club. However, some fans felt that McAuley\u2019s release was due, and as a result, weren\u2019t too shocked by these comments. His follow up comments regarding team selection last season is a different matter altogether.\u00a0The defender approached Albion in January to ask about his limited game time.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cMy head and my heart were saying, \u2018You have to fight and try and help the club.\u2019<\/p>\n
“So I went and asked the hierarchy, \u2018What do I need to do to get in the team?\u2019 \u2018Nothing,\u2019 they said.<\/p>\n
“\u2018What do you mean nothing?\u2019 \u2018Jonny [Evans] is worth \u00a330 million and we gave Ahmed [Hegazi] five years [contract], so if we play you we\u2019re going to look stupid.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI said, \u2018We\u2019ve just lost four games in a row, surely you\u2019re going to do something?\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019 they said.<\/p>\n
These comments sent shockwaves through the Baggies faithful. A team that went on to be relegated didn\u2019t do their utmost to stop it because they didn\u2019t want to look stupid. This from a boardroom that hired Alan Pardew for a disastrous few months.<\/p>\n
Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony has revealed that Albion were chasing Maddison, 24, as a replacement for the outgoing James McClean during the summer window. Claiming that Darren Moore\u00a0had been in regular contact with Peterborough United winger Marcus Maddison prior to the signing of Harvey Barnes.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir manager [Darren Moore] pestered his agent and a contact of mine over a deal non-stop last 5 weeks, yes but the club itself no. All very odd if I’m honest. But that’s football. We move on,\u201d MacAnthony tweeted, in response to an Albion fan.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe told MM [Marcus Maddison] agent once McClean went, MM coming in the building. Then went and got a loan winger in. Odd for sure. Very.\u201d<\/p>\n
Is this another example of the top dogs at West Brom pulling the plug on their manager’s wishes? West Brom fans now seem to think so, all does not appear to be running smoothly at The Hawthorns. It will be Darren Moore that gets hung out to dry if Albion fail this season, but it may not be that clear-cut, time will tell.<\/p>\n
Image used: Embed from Getty Images<\/a>