View: Ismael’s West Brom exit will affect these three players most
Valerien Ismael was sacked as West Brom manager on Wednesday (2 February) and that might be a huge contributing factor to the future of some players.
The Baggies have won just one in their last eight games, a 3-0 triumph over relegation-threatened Peterborough United, and that wasn’t sufficient for the Frenchman to keep his job.
Steve Bruce has been linked to the job until the end of the season [The Mirror] but that could spell bad news for some in the Baggies squad.
Here are three players that might have a different future than expected at The Hawthorns now Ismael has left the club.
Alex Mowatt
One of Ismael’s very first signings as West Brom manager, Mowatt was key to the manager’s Barnsley side who shocked everyone in making the playoffs in 2020-21.
But his time at the Baggies has not been as successful and he could be one of the names under pressure when the new manager comes in.
Daryl Dike
Another one of Ismael’s favourites, Dike was only signed last month but his planned build-up to match sharpness took a hit when he went off injured against QPR.
The American is now going to miss the next six weeks of action and by the time he is back fit, another number nine might have asserted his place in the team.
The 21-year-old may well be reduced to just substitute appearances if whoever starts under the new boss hits a purple patch of form.
Sam Johnstone
On the other hand, however, Johnstone may have been handed a lifeline in his West Brom future.
The England international fell out with Ismael after being left out of the team when he returned from suspension against Preston in favour of David Button.
With Ismael now out of the question, Johnstone may be back between the sticks when the Baggies take to the field against Sheffield United on Wednesday 9 February.
In other West Brom news, we’ve assessed seven managers that one report has linked to the job at The Hawthorns.