Birmingham Mail - West Bromwich Albion blog

7 Up. Raise a glass to Steve Clarke

2012-10-11T21:26:00Z

IT took a moment of clarity in two games to bring perspective to West Bromwich Albion's progress.

Small moments. Quirks. That's all it takes.

Back-to-back games at Villa Park and against Queens Park Rangers were by no means vintage performances by Steve Clarke's men.

But there was a realisation of where the Baggies are compared to rival clubs. QPR, spenders of too much money, are finding that cash cannot buy points.

And previous mis-management over at Villa has made their rivalry with Albion a footballing version of snakes and ladders - one club climbing, the other sliding.

The Baggies' evolution has made them the stand out club for those who are fighting it out in the Championship and below. Want to shadow someone else's progress and see how it's done? Check out what's happening at The Hawthorns.

Albion are reaping the rewards of a scouting system implemented by the outgoing sporting & technical director Dan Ashworth.

The signing of Claudio Yacob was a masterful combination of scouting, negotiation, patience and conviction. Those many hours of dialogue between club, agent and player paid off.

Ben Foster's contribution has been outstanding, helped by a central defensive partnership few could have foreseen as being so successful back in its infancy. McAuley could quite easily start a sentence and, with some confidence, leave it for Olsson to finish off. As a duo, 'McOlsson' really do breed confidence throughout this side.

Their existence is helped by Youssouf Mulumbu, whose discipline has markedly improved as a result of his Yacob's presence.
Liam Ridgewell and Goran Popov are strong left-back challengers. Right back options are a worry.

Up front Albion are well stocked in terms of variety, and, in James Morrison, the Baggies have a gifted and elegant 'No10' in all but squad number. His progression over the last two years has been a privilege to observe.

Albion's performance at Fulham was poor. We saw a response. The Baggies were, however, dominant against Liverpool, pressing and challenging their opponents. The same could be said for the spirited performance against a hitherto confident Everton side. They weren't as cockahoop by the time they rejoined the M6 motorway.
Conviction and desire was the order of the day at White Hart Lane - though the fixture computer was kind to pit Albion against a Spurs side very much in pre-deadline day transition. Wins against Reading and QPR were deserved.

Albion, quite noticably, are no longer a reactive team, the kind who merely sponge up pressure before hitting back. This was often an issue during Roy Hodgson's stewardship. Home results suffered at times.

Steve Clarke's Albion can still counter when necessary, but they are now encouraged to pick at opponents at their own will and convenience. They are more than capable of throwing the first punch. And we've seen evidence of that.

Their game embraces passing and dynamic values, just how Clarke wanted it do when he first clocked in.

Sixth in the table - with a strong defence, a midfield for all seasons and a potent pick'n'mix selection of strikers.

This is all good to see.

Dan Ashworth: Who was he and what next?

2012-09-17T13:31:09Z

SO, what next?

Dan Ashworth is on the final lap of his Albion circuit. The Football Association awaits.

From someone you could walk past in the street without recognising, to becoming one of the Premier League's top administrators. It's not been a bad few years for Ashworth.

The perception of his role at The Hawthorns took on an evolutionary process.

First came the unease. Who was he? What was his business?

Then came the appreciation. Then the respect. Now comes the sense of loss.

One of the biggest misnomers of his time at the club is that he is some form of Super Scout, or a talent spotter.

Sure, he's done his fair share of scouting over the years, following up leads, acting on tips off. He watches up to 300 games a year, most of them live.

He has also scaled fences to watch games, concluded deals during family holidays and once completed a sequence of watching three games, in three different countries over a four day period.

But many of the players were sourced from scouts within Albion's network - a structure he helped to implement in the first place.

So every Claudio Yacob, Youssouf Mulumbu, Graham Dorrans, Peter Odemwingie or Jonas Olsson has been found by one of those scouts within the 'system'.

Jerome Thomas, Steven Reid and Giles Barnes - all of whom arrived with troubled injury records - were signed because Albion had a sports science department as part of the 'system'. Few other clubs would have taken the gamble.

Academy products Saido Berahino, George Thorne and Sam Mantom have a lot to be grateful for. Their development and welfare is a result of a youth policy implemented into the 'system'.

And it's this 'system' which Ashworth helped to put into place.

Ashworth was a natural and obvious successor when Simon Hunt left the sporting and technical director role during 2007.

A diplomat, a politician with a footballing brain and an ability to work to a tight financial model, Ashworth has always been the ideal foil between the board of directors and the dressing room. If the manager wanted guidance, he could offer it. If the Board wanted a word, he was ready and willing. If a player had a welfare issue, the door was open.

Ashworth seems to have enjoyed a good relationship with the four managers he worked with.

And he gave further insight into his role during a rare interview a few years ago.

"I go to midweek games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Sunday games, academy and reserve games - I even took the side at Telford recently," he said back in July 2011.

"What I will do is, say, go to France and try and see three games. We might only go for one target game, or one target player, but you will see two or three others.

"Invariably it can throw up surprises. A month ago I went to watch a player in a game and didn't fancy him, yet we noticed another and that's triggered off more interest.

"When that happens (Albion's head of European recruitment) Tony Spearing goes off to watch him. You get a feel when you watch players in different leagues as to how appropriate that player would be for the Premier League or Championship.

"I reckon I see 150-200 games live, including internationals and academy games.

"I would then also add another 100 TV games and this fantastic product we have that shows us a particular player in a game, rather than the games themselves."

It wasn't always easy.

He was once criticised, when Robbie Di Matteo was still in the infancy of his Albion career, for revealing the club were already searching for the next head coach - specifically as a nod to the limited shelf life of any gaffer. This philosophy made sense then and still does now.

He was also stung by criticism in February 2011. Albion had made bids for 29 strikers in the previous transfer window - bringing in only Carlos Vela just before the deadline.

He went on to explain his role in further detail.

"It's not particularly nice and probably a new experience for me to come under public criticism," he said.

"I'll just go about my business in the best interests of West Bromwich Albion but I appreciate everyone gets passionate about the first team.

"We have worked so hard to set up some infrastructures and systems that give us every possibility of staying in the Premier League - but also look after our future by setting up scouting databases, an academy, as well as a medical and sports science department. People don't always see how important these things are to the football club."

Albion's tiered footballing model was initially viewed with suspicion by English football's traditionalists. It was certainly sniffed at by old-school managers whose scouting networks consisted of themselves and a couple of pals.

Not any more.

The club have cleared a path others are now taking themselves.

Ashworth came to the club in March 2004 as an assistant to then-centre of excellence manager Aidy Boothroyd.

Back then there was very little appreciation of the club's youth set-up by senior first-team coaching staff. It would be safe to assume that of the four main West Midlands' clubs, Albion's lagged behind in last place in that respect.

Again, not any more.

The culture of the club needed to be transformed. And it was.

Ashworth took sole charge of the youth set-up during the summer of 2004 when Boothroyd left for Leeds United and successfully oversaw the transition to academy status for the start of the 2005/06 campaign.

He has dragged Albion into new territory. His journey hasn't always been easy.

But he will leave behind a healthy club.

And Albion must be in some way relieved that Ashworth won't be taking his expertise to another club.

It will be an intriguing few months at The Hawthorns.

Specifically, the Baggies aren't necessarily looking for a coach, a manager, a scout, an ex-player or a mere administrator. This is why pre-conceived views of one candidate being better than another are best avoided - the job entails so many facets that the obvious candidate might be someone we have never heard of.

In the meantime, perhaps Dan Ashworth's toughest challenge will be the final one for his current employers - finding the next Dan Ashworth.

Today has gone. Now onto tomorrow...

2012-08-31T21:32:20Z

And so there goes the transfer deadline.

Never before have Albion acted with such clarity and efficiency during an active transfer market.

Goran Popov drew a line under the madness. He joins from Dynamo Kyiv for a season.

If Albion's transfer activity tells us anything it's that the Baggies have evolved their side in the correct manner.

Comparisons with players leaving the club can be cruel and unfair, but Claudio Yacob, Romelu Lukaku and Markus Rosenberg must all be deemed an improvement on their predecessors for their respective positions.

Albion were never going to spend a lot on transfer fees. Popov means they have a natural balance in the squad - two players for each position. This summer was about tapping into the extensive scouting data the club have built up over the years.

Why pay millions for a Championship defender or striker when you can bring in a Swedish international on a free.

Why throw money at a bog-standard midfielder, when you can bring in an Argentinian international for nothing.

Lukaku looks to be Albion's best use of a loan signing since Ben Foster's short dash from St Andrew's last summer.

Best of all, Albion have kept hold of Peter Odemwingie, Shane Long, James Morrison and, notably, Jonas Olsson.

Regardless of what happens tonight, Albion have to think towards tomorrow.

If we're to believe the rumours, listen to the whispers and the bits and bobs we hear from our sources then we can expect to see white smoke drift from the Football Association some time soon.

It will be a shock if Dan Ashworth doesn't get the job.

Albion are straight-batting all talk of Ashworth leaving to become the FA's technical director.

That's fair enough. He is after all on a 12-month notice period.

But the leaks dribbling out from various sources suggest that Ashworth's move to the FA could happen soon.

And if that does turn out to be the case then the Baggies, after thanking him for his sterling work, can continue his legacy.

No one should be too fearful. The dynamic scouting network built up by Ashworth and the club remains in place. The Yacobs of this world - picked out by the club's scouting branch in that region - can still be found long after he's gone, whether Ashworth leaves in the coming weeks, months or years.

If we're to assume Ashworth has served his last window then he leaves behind a club in good shape.

It's all an 'If' at this stage. But we must be realistic in all of this. We must consider all scenarios.

There is no reason why the Baggies cannot continue his good work.

Malmo. Day 7

2012-07-26T08:49:14Z

ONE thing I learned yesterday - Copenhagen's magnificent Parken Stadion is nowhere near Copenhagen city centre.

Leaving Malmo at lunchtime, we arrived in the Danish capital following a 40-minute trip on the brilliantly efficient rail link from Malmo.

We're one-and-a-half hours from the UK - yet a world away. Scandinavia has no litter problems and everywhere is clean.

What it doesn't have is helpful direction signs towards Parken.

"Just walk that way... turn left, it's just on your right," said the passer-by who helpfully assisted us.

Erm, not quite.

Half an hour later we were still walking.

The Carlsberg Museum will have to wait until our next visit.

Our journey from Copenhagen centre took about an hour and 15 minutes. Ideal for those of us with bad backs and probably not the best birthday present for our photographer Adam Fradgley who celebrated the big 40.

There were no such problems for the players, who warmed up for their final Scandinavian trip with another visit to the beach, but this time using it for some genuine pre-match exercise.

Speaking of which, Fradge's photo of Liam Ridgewell was certainly popular. The pic - featuring Ridgewell walking towards the camera in his swimming trunks, wearing sunglasses was trending by Tuesday. Ridgewell was, apparently far from embarrassed by this news.

Inside the stadium about 50 Albion fans made the trip - although at first it looked like about 500 had travelled over.

The Baggies press officer proudly pointed to what he thought was the away end and began taking pictures... only for a banner in Danish to be unfurled. Even so, for so many Albion supporters to fly over during the week and with so little notice takes some dedication. The Parken is a magnificent arena with a press box which gives the feel of being suspended over the pitch.

When full the 38,000 all-seater stadium is an imposing arena. It must be even more intense when the speedway is hosted in the national stadium.

It's been a successful trip for Albion. The supporters have generally enjoyed it and the Scandinavians have been the perfect hosts.

And if you ever get the chance to visit Malmo or Copenhagen, then make sure you do...

Malmo. Day 6

2012-07-25T07:36:30Z

YOU have to admire Swedish tourist advice.

The country which gave us sensible cars and not-so-easy-to-assemble flatpack furniture is clearly still developing its line in travel guides, as club photographer Adam Fradgley found to his cost. 'Fradge', as he's known to the rest of us, arrived in Copenhagen on Monday night and jumped onto what he thought was a Malmo-bound train.

After checking with another passenger that he was heading for Sweden, Fradge settled back and prepared for the journey.

As the train pulled out of Copenhagen station Fradge's fellow passenger piped up with 'actually it doesn't stop in Malmo, you have to get off at the next stop'. So, somewhat flustered and weighed down by several heavy bags, Fradge alighted at the next station and went in search of the next Malmo train.

Rushing up the platform Fradge asked the guard where he could find a Malmo-bound train...only to be directed back onto the same one he'd just got off. Luckily, Fradge just about scrambled back onto the train before it set off again - arriving a few minutes later.
He probably should have gone to Google for the best advice.

The Internet's favourite search engine has certainly come in useful for new room-mates George Thorne and Claudio Yacob this week.
How does the English footballer communicate with the Spanish speaker?
Easy - George simply types in a sentence or question, before running it through Google Translate, allowing Claudio to read it in pidgin Spanish. Genius.

Elsewhere, TV presenter Adrian Chiles paid a visit to Albion's training HQ yesterday.
He was joined by the Ewing brothers - no, not the Dallas duo, but a couple of Baggies fans from the West Midlands. The previous night they told the story of how their mate was told to wear fancy dress as part of a lads' awayday trip last season, which he duly did, arriving as Robin, from Batman. The rest wore jeans and Albion shirts. The tale took a surreal twist when it emerged 'Robin' needed to adjust his outfit at a Service Station car park...just as Albion legend Tony Brown pulled up in a car next to him.

We're told Bomber's face was a picture of surprise and shock.

Anyway enough of this...Copenhagen awaits.

Malmo. Day 5

2012-07-24T08:46:35Z

STEVEN Reid and James Morrison watch your backs.

Ben Foster's Twitter followers might have noted a recent photo he posted on his account of what could only be best described as a 'trashed' room.

The bed was ditched and the sheets were all over the place. It was his punishment for leaving his door on the latch, instead of slamming it shut when he popped out last week.

The culprits were never found. Until now.

Foster has used his detective skills - albeit fairly obvious ones - to unmask the culprits.

And speaking from the Albion team hotel in Malmo, Foster is seeking revenge.

"I think I know who trashed it but I don't want to go and throw allegations around," said Foster, using the tone of menace usually associated with a Bond villain.

"Our room is right at the end of a corridor and there is one room opposite, which is Reidy and Mozza. So I don't see why it would have been anyone else.

"Myself and Boaz might get them back...I think they deserve it."

Meanwhile, toastergate has reared its ugly head again.

The toaster was axed from the team's hotel restaurant when a player - the clever money is on Scott Allan - left his bread in the device, causing it to start smoking...and setting off the alarms and prompting a visit from Malmo's fire brigade.

However, the toaster found its way back but suffice to say the staff will be keeping a close eye on it. Malmo fire service are on standby.

Over at Malmo Stadion, the team's training base, fitness coach Matt Green had what was described by his colleagues as a 'shocker' during Sunday night's training session.

The Baggies coach instructed the players to perform a certain exercise, which involves use of equipment - or at least it would have done had he put enough of it out.

The players were quick to force Green into a quick ten press ups, which, to his credit, he performed with the kind of gusto last seen when Sean Flynn was in his Hawthorns pomp (kids, ask your dad).

From Flynn to Yacob - four words you will probably never read in a single sentence again.

Albion have welcomed the Argentinian to the fold this week.

And with it we got a quick burst of Spanish from Steve Clarke.

With Yacob speaking little English, it was left to Clarke to deliver his instructions in his finest Spanish.

"FINITO", yelled Clarke across the pitch, instructing Yacob to stop what he was doing. It sounded even better in Clarke's Scottish drawl.

Malmo. Days 3 and 4

2012-07-23T06:56:05Z

PERHAPS the biggest revelation of Malmo so far is that one of Albion's first-teamers has a guilty musical pleasure.

One senior player - whose identity couldn't be established from where I was sat in relation to him - started singing YMCA when the fire brigade pitched up at the Hilton on Saturday.

This player clearly needs to brush up on his musical pop trivia - there was no fireman in the Village People. So I'm told.

Why the fire brigade?

Well that'll be down to one of the Albion players forgetting to remove his bread from the toaster and leaving it to burn, setting off the fire alarms in the process.

All fingers pointed to Saido Berahino at first but now compelling evidence suggests it might have been Scott Allan.

The Scotsman was called away from the restaurant to fulfil interview duty...and rumour has it that he forgot all about his toast when he did so.

We might never know.

I touched on poor musical tastes earlier, but the same cannot be said for Shane Long who has brought his guitar along to Sweden.

Long has been heard strumming away and singing Oasis classics. If the goals ever dry up, a career in busking could follow. The Hawthorns one day, Charing Cross Underground Station tomorrow?

Elsewhere, there were recriminations following Albion's trip to a local bowling alley on their day off on Saturday.

Head of logistics Andrew Hussey announced that Gabriel Tamas had come out on top with a score of 175, presenting him with a little trophy - only for Sam Mantom to claim that both he and Billy Jones had scored 179. In fact the overall victor was Hussey, who scored 180 but was way too modest to take the credit.

The drama didn't end there.

Poor Chris Barnes, Albion's lead sports scientist, was forced to spend the rest of the evening in his pretty fetching red-and-blue bowling shoes.

It seems his own flip-flops went whereabouts during the course of the afternoon and kind staff allowed him to wear their shoes for the rest of the day.

Nobody, as yet, has claimed responsibility for this act, though it's become fairly apparent that none of Albion's first-team squad or staff are guilty, more so somebody local.

Though why, oh why, anyone would want to pinch a pair of flip-flops is beyond me...

Malmo. Day 2

2012-07-21T14:57:30Z

WHY do you support your football club?

There is no right or wrong answer to this.

But you'll often find a strange one in among the various replies.

Take Duco Van Der Veen.

This particular West Bromwich Albion fan lives in southern Netherlands and was yesterday facing an 11 hour trek back to his homeland.

And Duco isn't alone. He mentioned that several fans were heading over from Venlo, the venue for Albion's pre-season tours of 2008 and 2010.

Why do they support Albion? Because they fell in love with the club during Albion's last visit, when several hundred Baggies fans transformed the small Dutch town into a mass of blue and white scarves and St George's flags.

It was enough to transform some ordinary Dutch folks into Albion supporters.

Speaking of fans, Albion's were in fine form on Thursday. Hard to know how many made the trip but a figure close to 600 wouldn't be far of the mark, with 18 St George's Flags to boot.

All in good spirit and definitely well watered too.

Some of the new repertoire of songs perhaps were a little close to the knuckle. For instance, a certain chant about Gonzalo Jara is best left alone in the stadium, if only for legal reasons.

And as for Youssouf Mulumbu...who knew he lived in Alum Rock?

As they say, what goes on tour, stays on tour.

Speaking of people staying on tour, one person who we haven't seen anything of this summer is Albion's head of medical services Mark Gillett.

He's on Olympic duty with Team GB. Not football, mind - he's looking after and preparing our basketball players.

Back in Malmo, the players had a morning training session and have this afternoon off. Or at least most of them have.

The trio who came back late following Euro 2012 will have a session later on. None of this will please Jonas Olsson, who organised a day of golf for the first-team...but will now spend it training instead.

One player we won't see for a day or two is Ben Foster. The Baggies goalkeeper, who is still being irritated by the groin problem which kept him out in the final game of last season, is back in the UK for the weekend, attending his brother's wedding.

Malmo. Day 2

2012-07-21T13:45:01Z

WHY do you support your football club?

There is no right or wrong answer to this.

But you'll often find a strange one in among the various replies.

Take Duco Van Der Veen.

This particular West Bromwich Albion fan lives in southern Netherlands and was yesterday facing an 11 hour trek back to his homeland.

And Duco isn't alone. He mentioned that several fans were heading over from Venlo, the venue for Albion's pre-season tours of 2008 and 2010.

It was enough to transform some ordinary Dutch folks into Albion supporters.

Speaking of fans, Albion's were in fine form on Wednesday. Hard to know how many made the trip but a figure close to 600 wouldn't be far of the mark, with 18 St George's Flags to boot.

All in good spirit and definitely well watered too.

Some of the new repertoire of songs perhaps were a little close to the knuckle. For instance, a certain chant about Gonzalo Jara is best left alone in the stadium, if only for legal reasons.

And as for Youssouf Mulumbu...who knew he lived in Alum Rock?

As they say, what goes on tour, stays on tour.

Speaking of people staying on tour, one person who we haven't seen anything of this summer is Albion's head of medical services Mark Gillett.

He's on Olympic duty with Team GB. Not football, mind - he's looking after and preparing our basketball players.

Back in Malmo, the players had a morning training session and have this afternoon off. Or at least most of them have.

Malmo. Day 1

2012-07-20T12:37:45Z

OK, let's get one thing very straight about Sweden. It's expensive.

A round of drinks stretches into hundreds. Ok, so it's Kronor - it's about 11 Kronor to £1 - but even so.

With that in mind, the last thing you'd want to do is leave your wallet at home, isn't that right Colin Bradley of Cornwall?

A huge Albion fan, he clearly already had football on his mind when he set off from home with his son earlier this week.

Destination Malmo.

The first leg of their journey involved heading up to Stansted for their following day's flight to Malmo.

Leaving at 3pm, all was going well until they reached a service station near Taunton, some 100 miles from home, to stop off for some fuel. No wallet. No money.

A quick three hour dash back to Cornwall to pick up the cash. And then back on the road.

They finally reached their airport hotel just before 11pm, having travelled just over 500 miles - or, as Mr Bradley described it, 20 miles short of a one-way trip to Edinburgh. All in the name of a friendly football match.

I faced my own challenge when we landed at Malmo airport.

Collecting my car at 3.35pm local time, I had less than half-an-hour to reach Malmo's Swedbank Stadion for a 4pm press conference with Steve Clarke.

"How far away is the Malmo stadium?" I asked the helpful Europcar desk girl. "Only three miles, sir." No problem.

I began to have my doubts when I saw the first sign: Malmo 23kms. Then 19. Then 15.

So I got there 20 minutes late.

Abandoning the hire car in the car park - and I thank the kind-hearted Swedish Albion fan who lent me a few coins for the ticket machine, a drink has your name on it - I burst into the room dishevelled and, frankly, all over the place.

It was later pointed out by a Malmo employee that a Swedish mile is the equivalent of 6.25 normal miles. Swedish miles? Who'd have thought it.

Thankfully, Malmo is a beautiful city. But you do question where their civic pride is given the number of posters and banners displaying a certain swear word. You know the one...it begins with B. And I don't mean Bar Steward. Yes, that one.

Apparently, it's the name of a play in the local theatre.

Rumours that the lead role is being played by a Premier League referee are, I'm told, not true...

Steve Clarke, Albion boss

2012-06-07T23:01:49Z

PERCEPTION and image isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Example: Take a football manager who many fans aren't sure about?

Sounds like Roy Hodgson and England, no?

Try one a little closer to home.

Steve Clarke for West Bromwich Albion.

When the Birmingham Mail broke this news, first came the surprise and then followed an outpouring of all sorts.

Some of it positive, a lot of it mixed, much of it despondent, disappointed and even angry.

He should be appointed today.

Whether Clarke was first choice or not is irrelevant.

The process of recruitment raised more questions than it answered. At times the perception was of an internal trawl through the League Managers Association's website of out-of-work bosses. So many people spoken to. Foreign coaches brought in. Albion's due diligence knows no bounds and you have to admire them for not going for the obvious option.

The lack of open dialogue or statements was frustrating for fans. German reports claiming Ralf Rangnick was the new boss didn't help. Yet Jeremy Peace is no Dave Whelan and Dan Ashworth is definitely no Jez Moxey.

The 'process' seemed unnecessarily clumsy and drawn-out.

And clearly Albion are taking a risk when perhaps there is no demand or need for it.
But is it any more of a risk than the alternatives? Maybe. But each appointment carries some doubt.
How many people wanted Gary Megson, Tony Mowbray or Roberto Di Matteo?

This appointment could be a Jeremy Peace masterstroke just as easily as it could define the chairman's next two years or so if it goes horribly wrong.

But isn't that usually the case? The safe pair of hands which arrived in the form of Roy Hodgson last February were not available this time. A lot of it was damaged goods.

Claudio Ranieri? He's been collecting P45s for fun during the last few years.

Ralf Rangnick, a German with a great pedigree. He might have become Albion's Arsene Wenger. Or maybe their Christian Gross.
Ultimately both might have been very successful too. We shall never know. Chris Hughton is perhaps the one which might hurt them. Albion's pursuit of him seemed dog-eared.

Others were unsuitable, out-of-reach or probably not too different to those already mentioned. And, again, only a select number of people within Albion's corridors of power got to know the quirks, mannerisms, qualities and deficiencies of each candidate.

It's easy to be seduced by high-profile names, foreign tongues and smooth operators. Sometimes a little more substance is needed.

I have no clues as to how Steve Clarke will set his teams up. Pre-season will be intriguing.

Clarke is happy to indulge innovation.

He's been No2 alongside the free-flowing Ruud Gullit, the methodical Jose Mourinho, purist Gianfranco Zola and helped shape Kenny Dalglish's defence. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not.

What of Steve Clarke the manager? Therein lies another issue.

He won't be a manager, but the head coach. Many of those 'managerial' responsibilities are handed over to Dan Ashworth.

It's a hybrid role - which served Hodgson and Robbie Di Matteo effectively - but the distinction between the two is valid and much of Clarke's previous experience is geared towards this aspect of the position. A shouter, a motivator who is averse to training would have been totally unsuitable. It's designed more with coaching in mind.

That said, certain aspects of this role, not least man-management of players and being their 'gaffer', will be new to him. These will test him. He doesn't have long to learn.

The other argument being used is that Clarke doesn't possess the profile to attract players. This is a misnomer. The notion that he (or any other boss for that matter) would lack a pedigree to sell the club to players is pure urban mythology. Footballers are primarily attracted to clubs who offer the best financial packages and chances for silverware. Players who suggest otherwise are, from experience, offering mere lip service. Few managers these days - apart from those at the very tip of the football pyramid - have the gravitas or power to offer this mystical pull towards their club.

Zola, who served for some of Italy's and England's best coaches as a player before becoming a boss himself, described Clarke's innovative training sessions as "brilliant".

Ex-Chelsea player Aleksey Smertin, a footballer of 16 years, once said: "Clarke was very approachable and could talk to the players at the same level. You could be honest with him. He was a funny guy as well. I don't know too many players who didn't like him."

And what of the Special One?

Mourinho said: "If he had the chance to manage a club, even a big club like Chelsea, he would be ready for that. He is that good. He is an intelligent guy and always looking to improve. He is very open to co-operation and learning. He has a good relationship with the players, knows how to handle them. I think he is much, much better than many managers who are in charge of teams at the moment."

We shall see.

Albion's finishing point of 10th will inevitably be an expectation Clarke has to wrestle with. Hodgson extracted a lot from his players.

It would need a staggering level of good fortune and financial investment to better that.

Merely maintaining Premier League respectability is crucial.

Away from the hyperbole, Albion have their part to play.

Roy Hodgson warned that greater investment was needed to give Albion any chance of being more than just a mid-table side.

Just because he's gone, Hodgson's words shouldn't fall on deaf ears just because a new man is in charge.

Anyway, Steve, enjoy...

April 13, 2002. Igor Day

2012-04-13T09:15:25Z

What are your memories...?

Stuart Hudson
In traffic driving into Bradford I put Faithless on full blast and realised that almost every car was #wba. Boinging away! Hard to believe it was 10 years ago. Was there, side stand level with the penalty spot. Tense, very tense

Dudleyredcowfc
how long was it for that peno to be taken i was panning it so god nose what went through igor balis head great day memories

Dave Chall
remember drivin bck Baggie bird head out sunroof wouldn't happen now though more professional & no sunroof in car anymore

Mark Meddings
Remember watching Soccer Saturday. Ran out of the house when Jeff said it was a #WBA pen. Wife appeared mins later.......and told me we'd scored. Heard huge cheers from the street!

Mike Baggies
First game was in 1967 & this was the best and most nerve racking 5 minutes I've ever spent watching my BAGG1ES #magic

Stevelknievel
My Mum couldn't bear to watch it so was facing the other way. Know she wasn't the only one - never known tension like it. 1 of best moment watching Albion over last 30 odd years.

Tommy Farr
I inexplicably missed this as I was in Amsterdam for my 21st! Watched it in a freezing cold Dam Square on TV!

David Homer
I was there and the first one on the pitch. Any possible fine or repercussions were not considered at this time!

David Rowberry
Was in top tier directly behind goal. Perfect view of pen. Spent most of last 10 mins looking over at the clock! #wba #igor

Alex Woolridge
I was at the hawthorns watching @Slates10 and ole playing footie!! They played the pen over the loud speakers!!What a day!!

Nikki Timmis
this has to be I think my favourite #WBA memory!!

Daniel Hewitt
My favourite Albion moment. Never fails to make hairs stand on end

Dorothy Lepkowska
I was in a aisle seat and was flung to the ground by an enraptured fan in a sheepskin coat as the pen went in.

Fabrize Tracanna
I still shake everytime I see that.One of the best memories ever whilst watching the Albion.Don't remember the night though!

Stuart Painter
still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck what a day ..Get Igor back for 1 more chant of his name Igor Igor Igor

Andrew Freeman
remember it like it was yesterday, unbelievable day, my dad couldn't bring himself to watch the penalty been taken

Parsnip
Big Dave Afros,sat in a queue of over 60 coaches after match,still wearing the same socks when we need the points! Igor!!! I still get butterflies when I watch the penalty on you tube!

Dean Walton
great memories, apparantly Igor had never mentioned that he took the penalties for Slovakia!!

Neil Williams
wasn't there sadly but remember my celebration being so loud & profanity filled I upset neighbours - from a detached house.

Adam Townsend
I was sitting in a car park in Lowestoft with my dad listening to it on radio. Me and my dad danced round the car park! Oddly, I'd never watched that goal until just. Dunno why, probably had some superstitious reason to it. My heart's pounding!

Al Sherwood
yep I was there in the side stand, mom had asthma attack, guy in front fell and broke his nose and I invaded the pitch!

David Bowater
I remember us missing penalty after penalty and then finding that Balis took penalties for Slovakia

Keith Jasper
unbelievable memory and that iconic flat cap

sarahlucyWBAprice
still turns my stomach. (Never watch penalties). Spilt my hot choc over the back of the guy in front of me.

Jane Young
one of my greatest football memories ever. Grown men crying. So emotional!!

Marshall McDonald
As a seven year old I didn't understand what it fully meant although I shook all through the game on my seat...So as Balis got the penalty my dad and cousin couldn't actually bring them self to watch. Best ever season with the Albion.

Rajiv Desai ‏
Living in Oxford at the time. Not a religious man as you well know but I actually asked for spiritual help before Igor took the penalty (in other words got on my knees and prayed!!!) Only told that to a few people given my atheist leanings

Mike Reed
listening on interweb & phoned mate when pen awarded. "why are you putting me through this?" "WHO?!" Then screams of joy x2!

Will Mann
Brings tears to my eyes. Was an agonising wait for the pen while Super Bob was being treated. #igor #wba

Nick Elvins
Great memories of the game, which still give me goose bumps and we've come a long way since then as well. Boing boing!

Ally Allen
first WBA goal I can remember, will always be my favourite one too.

RichHolly68
was in the home end, me & my pal can be seen dancing in the aisle at full time

Hitendra
I had to turn my back and pray when Ivor stepped up given how many we already missed that season

Sam Newbrook
running down the street to my mates playing football and trying to explain to all the Man Utd fans how much it means

Hannah B
Was in the upper tier. Cried as soon as we were given the pen & didn't stop for the rest of the day!remember it like yesterday. Dad was tearful before the game even started, let alone when the pen happened!Has it really been 10 years..

Chocker Chumpy
Sat with my gob shut for 91mins in their main stand only to find out that those around me had been similarly mute #allwba. That was the day we really went up. Palace was just a formality.

Ashley Smith
I can safely say I didn't end up in bed early. I did however fall asleep on the bar of a nightclub at about 1am

Jack Wheatley
my uncle stood up in the middle of a quiet restraunt and shouted 'IGOR IGOR IGOR' and boinged as he was asked to leave

Richard Anderson
still got the Bradford shirt purchased from JJB sports to go in the home end!

Andy Holt
I ran out of the back of the stand as I couldn't watch the pen. Bob took so long to get treated I did see it though! I was that drained after the game that although I was planning to drink I ended up home and in bed early doors!

Alex Butler
I was in the top tier that day, panicking slightly as we'd already missed like 8 pens that season. Longest 7 mins ever #igor. The wait to take it while super bob was down felt like forever

Matt Carter
that was the best away game I've ever been to!

John Eley
at the end of the Bradford game I scooped the penalty spot into my pocket. I still have it in a dish now #igor

Igor Balis speaks about that day here and you can see the goal again here