Valerien Ismael has damaged West Brom with ‘inexplicable’ Sam Johnstone row
West Brom manager Valerien Ismael is causing his own problems, with the decision to cause a clash with Sam Johnstone the worst example, says Steve Madeley.
The journalist has assessed the fallout between the Hawthorns boss and his first choice goalkeeper in a piece for The Athletic which places the row in the context of a similar clash with Robert Snodgrass, and calls the Frenchman “stubborn” for his refusal to be at all flexible tactically.
Madeley writes: “The recent clash with Sam Johnstone, however, bordered on inexplicable.
“Telling an England international he would be on the substitutes bench in favour of a goalkeeper, David Button, who had performed adequately but no more in his absence during a three-match ban, smacked of a man creating unnecessary problems for himself.
“Not only did the decision enrage Johnstone, but it also had the potential to alienate team-mates and staff, with whom the Albion No 1 is a hugely popular colleague.”
Negative influence
The least a board and fans can expect from their manager is that they are working in the best interests of the club.
And while they have to be trusted to use their judgment to a certain extent, there comes a point where that judgment must be called into question.
Madeley clearly feels that time has come when it comes to the clash with Johnstone.
A charitable assessment might focus on the fact that the No1 looks like he might be leaving the club, with the England Euro 2020 squad member yet to agree a new contract and potentially leaving for free in the summer.
Playing hardball with a player over a contract is a tactic that is sometimes employed by managers, with one example being Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel apparently overlooking Andreas Christensen due to his awkwardness in negotiations (The Guardian).
But Christensen arguably needs Chelsea more than they need him, and the same can not be said for the Baggies and their top keeper.
If the club do not secure promotion back to the Premier League they will be struggling to keep hold of him anyway amid interest from the top flight, but winding him up at this point is going to ruin whatever hopes the club does have.
The affair sums up a rapidly declining situation for West Brom, and the manager’s time may be running out.
In other West Brom news, there is further reported movement in the West Brom goalkeepers’ room.