Don Goodman lays out ‘disaster’ scenario at West Brom as Shilen Patel claim made
Don Goodman insists West Brom have Shilen Patel to thank for avoiding a “disaster” that would have played out under the previous regime.
Patel completed the takeover of Albion from Chinese businessman Guochuan Lai in February to usher in a new era at The Hawthorns.
The American, who is also the Baggies’ majority shareholder, reached into his pockets towards the end of the summer transfer window after ensuring the club’s finances were stable.
And eight months on from his arrival, Goodman has nothing but praise for what Patel has done to date in the West Midlands.
“The picture wasn’t painted as clearly as it should have been when Shilen Patel took over – he’s a knight in shining armour for them,” Goodman said. “The club under the previous owner was going nowhere, let’s be honest – it was getting itself in more and more financial difficulties.
“Ultimately, that would have ended in disaster for West Bromwich Albion. Regardless of the initial investment earlier this year, West Brom fans surely won’t be feeling any sort of discontent towards Shilen Patel. He has come to their rescue.
“He also convinced Carlos Corberan that his future remains at West Brom and then put his hands in his pockets when he felt it was appropriate to do so without jeopardising the club’s finances.
“I think West Brom fans, no matter what happens on the pitch, should be really thankful to Shilen Patel and his family for saving them really from the doldrums.”
Shilen Patel the ideal man for West Brom
For all the frustration at one point in the summer when more new recruits were clearly needed, Patel has always had the club’s best interests at heart.
If it was just a case of spending willy-nilly to get to the Promised Land of the Premier League, anyone could do that.
Instead, the mega-rich businessman has had to ensure the foundations were first solid – which they very much were not under the previous ownership – while also sticking within the confines of PSR.
Now that the club has a solid footing, more money can be pumped in, as we saw with the arrival of Mikey Johnston on a permanent deal.
Patel has also put money into the training facilities, showing he is very much here for the long term. After the shambolic nature of the previous regime’s running of West Brom, Patel really has been a breath of fresh air.
In other West Brom news, Goodman has rejected a theory regarding Brandon Thomas-Asante.
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