Ian Holloway shares excitement for Valerien Ismael era at West Brom
Ian Holloway has shared his excitement for the new Championship season with Valerien Ismael taking the reins at West Brom.
The Frenchman worked wonders last season to guide Barnsley into the play-offs before making the move to the West Midlands earlier in the summer.
Ahead of West Brom’s Championship opener at Bournemouth on Friday night, former EFL stalwart Holloway, who has managed at clubs like Blackpool and Crystal Palace, has waxed lyrical about Ismael.
Speaking on the League of 72 YouTube show, he said: “You’ve also got Ismael who did brilliantly last year, changing clubs from Barnsley to West Brom.
“Can he take his pressing style into an old, ageing team at West Brom? Wow, I can’t wait to see it.”
Big challenge
While Ismael will be working with more talented players at The Hawthorns, and with different objectives, he will have to make some adjustments and hope that his style of football can translate to a much different changing room.
According to Transfermarkt, Ismael’s old side Barnsley have the youngest average age in the Championship [23.6], while West Brom are in the top half for the oldest [26.1].
The questions will be how the elder statesmen of the group like Jake Livermore, Romaine Sawyers and Kyle Bartley can adjust to playing the high-intensity football that Ismael demands over a full season, or whether the manager will have to make certain allowances.
Regardless, it will be a fascinating watch, and welcome relief for Baggies after a dreary campaign last time out.
Whatever unfolds under Ismael this season, it’s sure to be exhilarating, if not a little nervy at times.
In other West Brom news, Wayne Rooney reacts to major Albion transfer question.
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