Jeremy Peace's biggest gamble yet!

Is Jeremy Peace taking a risky gamble on Alan Irvine?

Albion's communication officers have been working hard to sound upbeat about the arrival of Alan Irvine, as they must.  From the comments I have read they have been stressing his coaching ability and making it clear that the criteria for appointing Mr Irvine are the same principles behind the hiring of Misters Di Matteo, Clark and Hodgson.  In other words, the club is hiring a Head Coach and NOT a manager.  In this respect Irvine's appointment is similar to that of Clarke - both number twos to successful PL managers in Moyes (Everton) and Mourinho (Chelsea) respectively.  A convenient line has been drawn under Irvine's own forays into management - with his roles at Preston NE and Sheffield Wednesday apparently unmentioned and seemingly irrelevant.

Of course, it is the fans who have less selective ways of assessing their new manager.  They look at the full CV and not those highlights that are being used to justify his selection.  And it is this very reason that makes Jeremy Peace's decision to hire Alan Irvine one that may come back to bite - and bite hard!  In the past  fans have gone along with Peace's decisions because they believed they were being made in the interests of the club and based on sound principles.  This time that is not the case.  If Irvine fails, then Peace's chairmanship will also be seen to have failed in providing responsible and rational stewardship. It could mean that come Xmas Albion will be seeking both a new coach/manager and a new boardroom chief.

Fans really want to know why Jeremy Peace has made this decision.  It is truly confusing.  He knew Albion had to get back on track after a terrible season and he promised lessons had been learned.  Fans accepted that this was true.  But now many of us are scratching our heads wondering whether he has suffered recent amnesia or is in denial about the weaknesses behind the 2013-4 season.  Most fans feel Peace is trying to run the club too cheaply.   But again, why would he risk PL status just to save on hiring extra backroom staff or a manager with a proven record?

What is truly perplexing is that the fans have not been properly respected and the decision making progress not one that makes them feel their club is being treated the way it should be.  Time will tell if Peace is right or wrong in choosing Alan Irvine but he stands to lose heavily if Albion suffer an early run of defeats next season or demonstrate poor organisation on the pitch - expect major fan unrest.

So spin that wheel Mr Peace!