If only the club had brought in Darren Moore earlier! Moore has rejuvenated the Baggies since he took over from Alan Pardew, overseeing draws against an in-form Swansea and Champions League semi-finalists Liverpool and an unlikely victory away at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Unfortunately, it seems the good results will be in vain as the team would require a minor miracle if they were to avoid relegation to the Championship. Le’ts not beat around the bush, we are going down – but at least Moore has taken us down fighting and given the fans something to cheer.
So what’s going to happen to the current crop of players? Recent performances have proven that we have some decent players in this squad who are more than capable of holding their own in the Premier League.
There will undoubtedly be plenty of suitors for these assets, even after such a poor season, but I personally don’t think there will be any fire-sale at the club and that the board will try to keep hold of the players who they feel
could help us win promotion at the first attempt.
I have gone through every member of the squad and determined the likelihood of that player either being sold or retained for next season’s presumed Championship campaign.
Ben Foster – Keep
Much loved by the fans and still a top goalie. No
brainer.
Bo Myhill – Sell
I think either youngster Alex Palmer is given a shot as back
up to Foster, or some genuine competition for the No.1 spot is brought in.
Allan Nyom – Keep
Done well at right back since Darren Moore took charge and
is more than good enough for the Championship.
Ali Gabr – Keep
A tough one, as he hasn’t had any opportunity to impress, but
he’s first choice for the Egyptian national team and my gut feeling is they
will make his deal permanent due to the small signing fee that’s been agreed.
Craig Dawson – Keep
A must-keep for me. At Championship level he would shine and
has looked accomplished in the centre of defence since Moore moved him across
from right back.
Jonny Evans – Sell
Absolutely no way we are keeping hold of him, especially
considering he has a £3m release clause if we go down.
Ahmed Hegazi – Keep
All things considered I think he’s done well in his first
season of English football and looks to be forming a promising partnership
alongside Dawson.
Kieran Gibbs – Sell
I think Gibbs could be convinced to stay, which would be
great, but I think he will have suitors in the Premier League and that
we will receive some decent offers for his services.
Gareth McAuley – Keep
Due to his vast experience alone I would like to
see him kept on and I also think that even at 38 years of age, he is still
more than capable of playing a role in the Championship.
Chris Brunt – Keep
His influence in the dressing room alone is enough to keep
hold of him and he’s shown yet again this season that he’s still a very
important player for the club.
Gareth Barry – Sell
Shown signs of quality but not consistently enough, and hasn’t looked up for it since the team became embroiled in a relegation dog
fight.
James McClean – Keep
His brilliant work ethic and scrappy personality mean he is
exactly the kind of player you need for life in the Championship.
Claudio Yacob – Sell
As much as it pains me to say it, I think Yacob’s time at the
club is coming to an end. Has been second fiddle to others under all three head coaches
this season and I can’t see that changing anytime soon.
Jake Livermore – Keep
Has looked much improved under Moore and I think he would be
a good player to keep hold of due to his experience at playing (and winning
promotion) in the Championship.
Nacer Chadli – Sell
Much like Evans, there is no-way he will want to stick
around for a season of Championship football and the release clause in his
contract means he will get his wish.
Sam Field – Keep
He’s one of our own.
Gregorz Krychowiak – Sell
No way the club would be able to keep hold of him,
even if they wanted, due to his £100k a week wages alone! Will undoubtedly go
back to his parent club.
Oliver Burke – Keep
Struggled in his first season at the club but the youngster’s
raw pace and power caused havoc in the Championship when he played for
Nottingham Forest.
James Morrison – Sell
A controversial one but I would sell. Injury plagued for
some time now and I think the attacking midfield is an area the club really need
to freshen up with some new signings.
Matt Phillips – Keep
Been very poor this season but if the new head coach can
instil some confidence back into him, he could prove to be a vital attacking
asset once again.
Hal-Robson Kanu – Keep
Been a peripheral figure for most of this season but I think he would be a useful player to keep hold for the Championship. A
grafter and nuisance who chips in with a few goals.
Salomon Rondon – Sell
It was recently revealed that the big target man has a £17m
release clause in his contract, so for that reason alone I don’t think he will
be at the club come the start of next season.
Daniel Sturridge – Sell
What a waste of money!
Jay Rodriguez – Keep
Player of the season for me. Really hope we can keep hold of
him as I feel he has all the attributes to score a shed-load in the
Championship and fire the team back into the top flight.