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West Brom’s growing fear is that nice guys finish last
IF MANAGERS were to succeed on the back of popularity contests, West Bromwich Albion would be top of the Premier League.
Alan Irvine could face the sack if West Brom's results don't improve
Alan Irvine is, by common consent, one of the nicest people in football.
His coaching skills are highly regarded too and his experience at Everton, Preston and Sheffield Wednesday, among others, made him a natural fit to become Albion's head coach.
The club's supporters were not too impressed by his appointment but the mood changed after wins against Tottenham, Burnley and Hull (in the Capital One Cup) lifted the Baggies into mid-table.
The form of striker Saido Berahino, whose eight goals earned him a senior England call-up, seemed to signal the start of a successful campaign for club and player.
Premier League Team of the Year 2014
But Berahino's arrest for an alleged drink-driving offence coincided with a slump in form and four straight defeats in November sent Albion hurtling to the wrong end of the table.
Contract talks with the striker were suspended and he remains the subject of speculation over a proposed move to Liverpool or Spurs.
It has added to the feeling of uncertainty at the Hawthorns and the crowd have turned their attention again to Irvine and his inability to reverse the trend of poor results.
HALF TERM VERDICT
Albion need quick improvement or hope that the teams below them fair worse. The Baggies end the season with four of their final five games against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal so they will need points in the bag by then.
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