Alan Irvine - shock appointment!!

New WBA manager, Alan Irvine

So Albion have plumped for a young up and coming British manager, have they?  Er, not!  With Tim Sherwood seemingly wanting a larger slice of cake than the Albion board wanted to dish out, they have lurched for Alan Irvine.  It is a decision that leaves fans wondering whether Mr Peace and co. really have lost touch.  We know why they have opted for Mr Irvine, don't we?  He has been placed on a 12 month rolling contract and will not upset the existing structure that keeps Keith Downing and Dean Kiely securely in their places.  In other words, Irvine is cheap and can be got rid off without fuss if results do not go to play in 2014-15.

In fact, it is very possible that Mr Irvine will serve as a provisional choice.  I would be very surprised if Albion didn't continue their manager hunt behind the scenes just in case things don't go well next season. But it also begs the question, why get rid of Pepe Mel only to replace him with a manager whose credentials are inferior? (At least Pepe had led a side into the Europa league, was well respected in Spain and could have attracted decent Spanish talent to The Hawthorns!)

Another question: where does all this leave us?  With little ambition clearly.  So Alan Irvine is going to help WBA attract the names and the talent we need to compete in the PL?  Somehow I doubt it.  He doesn't even have direct PL experience as a manager as far as I know, but is a Championship man who has enjoyed only mixed success with Preston NE and Sheffield Wednesday. To say I was shocked at his appointment is not to overstate it.

I think Jeremy Peace is walking a rather thin line with fans now.  He cannot argue that he wants the best for the club with this appointment.  Nor can he tell us he is backing a man, as with Mowbray and Di Matteo, who deserves a chance to shine.  Irvine offers us no surprises outside of his actual appointment to the Head Coach job.

So sorry, but I am one Albion fan who is already preparing himself to write off the coming season.