Tony Mowbray gives Shilen Patel reason to sack him with new West Brom comments
Tony Mowbray could soon face the sack at West Brom after what he said as Sunderland secured an away win on Saturday.
The Black Cats travelled to The Hawthorns on 5 April and took all three points in a 1-0 win, further denting the Baggies’ playoff hopes.
The win was secured off the back of a Trai Hume strike, which caught the home side off guard as his free kick from the wing flew into the net.
This subjected Mowbray to back-to-back defeats, but it is his comments made after the full-time whistle that may concern Shilen Patel.
Mowbray risks sack after Joe Wildsmith comments
The sale of Alex Palmer has taken a toll on Albion since the winter window as form has gone downhill since his move to Ipswich Town.
This saw Josh Griffiths return from his loan spell at Bristol Rovers, but has failed to play a single minute since.
This has been due to the faith in Wildsmith shown by Mowbray which has largely been without reason after multiple high-profile mistakes.
The 29-year-old was at fault once again as Hume’s effort was punched into the net by the Baggies keeper despite appearing to be a straightforward strike to save.
Despite this, the Baggies’ head coach looks set to stick by the former Derby County man, based on his post-match comments to BBC Sport (5 April).
He said: “Joe [Wildsmith] acknowledged he made a pretty bad mistake which cost us a goal, and ultimately the game. But that’s the job as a goalkeeper.
“We’ve been here before but I’ll see what he’s like in training and see how he reacts. It’s very naive to think ‘the goalie makes a mistake, so change the goalie’.
“If the goalie you put in makes a mistake in the next game, where do you go then? Change him again? I don’t think so. I will rely on my experience to make the right decisions.”
Mowbray could get himself sacked at West Brom
The decision to stand by an error-prone keeper who continues to cost Albion precious points is completely baffling to so many.
Wildsmith came in on a free transfer in the summer and has made just 10 Championship appearances and has conceded nine goals in that time.
| Stat (Championship 24/25) | Joe Wildsmith |
| Appearances | 10 |
| Minutes played | 900 |
| Goals conceded | 9 |
Supporters are beginning to grow frustrated with the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man who is having a negative impact on promotion hopes at The Hawthorns.
If Mowbray continues to back the Englishman rather than giving Griffiths a chance, Patel will have a decision on his hands in the coming weeks and months.
No Baggies fan wants the head coach’s second spell in B71 to end in that fashion but the constant inclusion of Wildsmith could leave him with no choice.