West Broms Steve Clarke sacked West Broms Steve Clarke sacked

Confused. Flabbergasted. Puzzled. Baffled. These are only a few words that spring to mind when I heard rumours of Steve Clarke being on the verge of getting the axe. When I was at the Hawthorns for the game against Manchester City, I heard Albion fans question the managers ability to accumulate points this season and are also curious as to why he is making late or wrong substitutes from this perspective. There were quite a number of fans who claimed that if the Baggies didnt manage to collect maximum points from the games at home to Norwich and Hull as well as away to Cardiff, then Jeremy Peace would be forced to terminate the contract of the Scot in charge which would put an end to the speculation that surrounds as to when a new deal will be discu sed and placed on the table. He only lasted until the Cardiff game but didnt claim a single goal let alone a point from those two. It is speculated to be in the New Year once the hectic festive period has concluded as a reward for taking the club forward.Lets not forget that Clarke guided this team to their best ever finish in the Premier League last term and was a Toronto Raptors Jeresy whisker away from breaking the fifty point mark. They would have done it if there wasnt such a succe sive run of defeats although the 5-5 draw against the champions in Sir Alex Fergusons final game was spectacular.That was a one-off.At the start of his tenure at the club, when he replaced Roy Hodgson following his departure to move onto the England job, I was a doubter of his ability to manage not coach. He was an a sistant to, most famously, Jose Mourinho who rated him highly but this was his first job as the bo s. However, with Albions style of having a head coach instead of a manager, it probably suited Clarke to the ground as it is step up from being a number two but not as a manager. I will admit right now, I write him off straight away but boy I was wrong. He built on the foundations placed by Roy Hodgson which was the defensive solidity and he added much more of an attacking impetus. A more entertaining style and I think that has shown from the players he has brought. Anyway, enough about last season and more about this one although the work he has done last campaign, in my eyes, immediately allows him to have the opportunity to turn it around. Perhaps we now know why his contract was allowed to run down.The start of the season wasnt the best hence doubters said that this side might C.J. Miles Jersey just be a flash in the pan, one hit wonder, whatever you want to call it. Transfer deadline day was a turning point because two club record signings were brought in the shape of Victor Anichebe plus Stephane Se sengon, both costed 6.5m. The latter made an immediate impact by netting against his former club Sunderland hence it angered plenty a Sunderland fan especially since it was only for that sum plus Di Canio sold him because of the rift between the pair. As we know the Italian was given the axe days later. Victor hasnt been as big of a hit, though he did get his first goal in blue and white against Manchester City in the dying embers.From my perspective, Se sengon is simply entering a bad patch of the season like many of his teammates. I dont care what anybody says, every team in the league will have an iffy run, its a case of how long it lasts.I know the statisticians will reply with the fact of that in 2013, the Baggies have only managed to accumulate 31 points out of 34 games with half of those defeats. My counter argument would be that the start made last season was phenomenal so that bad half didnt make much of a difference, I think if we continued in the initial vain of form then Liverpool would have finished below and Yuta Watanabe Jersey po sibly Everton.An aspect of the club statement was referring to the fact that this time around, it is the highest wage bill at the club ever since its existence. Once I read this, it instantly indicates that the board isnt exactly impre sed with the addition of Nicolas Anelka as he must take up a substantial sum of the bill in question. If he isnt the highest paid player, I will be gobsmacked. There are indications that Peace didnt want to spend that much on a player who has an attitude and is concluding his career. We found this out quite soon into his Albion career because he stormed out of training claiming he wants to retire, initially, until we discovered it was due to the death of one of his agents and close friend.There is no question about whether Anelka has a tremendous amount of quality but is he really worth the wages even though he was a free transfer. The Frenchman said that he wouldnt retire until he helped the club into Europe, but that is clearly bullshit. I was convinced he would do well at the Hawthorns but bar the Swansea game, a 2-0 defeat, he hasnt a good game in my opinion. He is rarely fit so it is a waste as far I am concerned, that is one Clarke mistake.The club said that this squad should be able to compete in the Premier League which is true but we havent exactly had the rub of the green in many matches. Andre Marriner giving the last second penalty in favour of Chelsea after Steven Reid fouled, I use the term very loosely, Ramires. There were two factors that contributed to the decision, the first one is obvious because it is given at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea and the other factor is that Reid lifted Toronto Raptors T-Shirts his arms up as if to say he is innocent. This automatically makes a referee think that this player has committed a foul.At the Damon Stoudamire Jersey Brittania, a penalty decision went against West Bromwich Albion yet again although this time it was that Mulumbu was the victim not the provider. Adam clearly caught him as Mulumbus boot came off in the proce s as well as his sock ripping.A wonder strike from Si soko stole a point at St James Park although Myhills mistake heavily contributed to the first goal. In combination with this, Steve Clarke appeared to watch this game about 10 minutes behind everyone else with the subs he made. He did play the right cards but they didnt have enough time to alter the complexion of the game.His team selection against Norwich at home was a bit iffy as Long and Berahino were brought on at half-time instead of starting. The two forwards were introduced so it would increase the probability of converting the numerous amount of opportunities that were created. The Baggies were desperately unlucky not to collect a point from that fixture, it seemed to just be not their day in terms of not finding the back of the net. In stark contrast, it was the perfect day for the Canaries after soaking up the pre sure before pouncing on the defensive frailties of, the Uruguay skipper, Diego Lugano who was at fault for both goals. His decision making was poor hence I never thought he would be a decent acquisition from the off.On the subject of decision-making, the introduction of Saido Berahino to the first team environment has proved succe sful this season after