Don Goodman slams ‘out of order’ West Brom fans over Shilen Patel treatment – ‘I’m staggered’
Don Goodman has slammed a minority of “out of order” West Brom fans who have criticised Shilen Patel’s running of the club.
A number of Albion supporters have been upset to see some key figures depart in the summer transfer window to help balance the books.
The Baggies have been smart in terms of incoming transfer activity, with Torbjorn Heggem the only arrival for a confirmed fee so far.
Furthermore, the club are under an EFL-imposed business plan that will limit their spending in order to avoid breaching financial rules.
In the view of Goodman, Patel deserves massive praise for the way he has gone about things since taking over from Guochuan Lai.
“I’m staggered at what some have said,” Goodman told West Brom News. “I didn’t realise there were maybe a handful of supporters critical of Shilen Patel. That is so out of order, I can’t even begin to tell you.
“Imagine the state of the club if they were stuck under the previous ownership – it would be such a mess. He should be lauded as a hero for saving the club – that is in essence what he has done.
“He’s obviously inherited a massive, massive financial mess that he’s tried to sort out, and is sorting out. In the meantime he’s trying to back the manager as much as possible; he’s spent money on the training ground to give Corberan the best environment possible.
“It’s way too early for supporters to be critical of Shilen Patel. If West Bromwich Albion are still in this situation in two or three seasons time, I’d understand it. But right now? No, I struggle to get my head around that if I’m honest with you.”
Shilen Patel has West Brom’s best interests at heart
Losing Okay Yokuslu, Conor Townsend and Brandon Thomas-Asante in quick succession earlier this month was of course a big concern.
Supporters’ worst fears came true as a few of Carlos Corberan’s regulars were moved on to bring in some funds.
In an ideal world, Albion would have been keeping each of those and instead adding to those already at the club.
However, due to the circumstances inherited by Patel, he is having to operate with one arm tied behind his back.
Despite that, the Baggies have made some shrewd purchases and look as though they are going to bring in at least one or two more.
All supporters can ask is that the club is financially stable, which it will be thanks to the measures in place, and that the team remains competitive.
On the basis of the first two weeks of the season – in the league, at least – that is another box that will be ticked.
It is very much short-term pain for long-term gain, but what Patel is doing will hopefully be respected by everyone one day soon.
In other West Brom news, a player has departed The Hawthorns for another EFL club.
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