Tony Mowbray revealed issue he had with Daryl Dike right before West Brom exit
Tony Mowbray did not hold back in his final West Brom press conference before he and the Baggies parted ways.
Mowbray was very transparent following his final match of just 17 in charge, a 3-1 loss to relegation-threatened Derby County at The Hawthorns (21 April).
The outgoing manager had already revealed Grady Diangana and John Swift were – perhaps unsurprisingly – on their way out of Albion following the final two matches of the season, which have now become redundant with the play-offs out of reach.
West Brom reappointed Mowbray in January following Carlos Corberan’s departure for Valencia, but his second stint in charge had unfortunately been horribly contrasting to the peak of his maiden spell in which he took the Baggies to the Premier League and reached an FA Cup semi-final.
Mowbray issues honest truth on Daryl Dike
Mowbray’s brutal honesty after his final game incorporated how he saw his side’s attacking plans, having come under scrutiny for not getting the best out of a powerful Championship attack.
The 61-year-old was without Josh Maja for his entire tenure but already had at his disposal the likes of Tom Fellows, Karlan Grant and Mikey Johnston, later adding Adam Armstrong, Tammer Bany and Will Lankshear.
Maja is still West Brom’s top scorer this season with 12 goals and while he has been a huge miss, Albion should have had enough firepower but for a fragmented style of play.
Mowbray was slowly getting Dike back from a long-term Achilles setback, but the American international was never deemed fit enough to be a viable option.
“The issue I have with Dike is he doesn’t train every day. He has two or three days where he doesn’t do any training,” Mowbray admitted, as quoted by Birmingham World (22 April).
“If I’m wanting to play a game with intensity and pressing and denying the opposition the ball, Daryl’s not – in my opinion – at the level fitness-wise to help the team.
“So, if he started a game, when would he be coming off? Would he get the first 45 minutes, or am I taking him off after half an hour? Because he’s not moving after half an hour.”
Dike has featured in numerous substitute cameos recently, including 28 minutes against Derby, but has failed to register a goal nor an assist.
Dike comments received in various ways by West Brom fans
Dike will be as frustrated as anyone that he has been unable to make an impact this season, understandable to an extent given the severity of his injury.
The American’s future is unclear at The Hawthorns, but he has outlasted Mowbray given a horrendous run of form with the play-offs seemingly having been there for the taking.
Mowbray’s frustrations and thoughts on Dike are easy to grasp, but the public nature of the comments seemed rash, and unlikely to do the player any good – which fans have recognised.
These are the same supporters that have been forced to endure abject performances from a team playing like they had nothing to work towards, who must instead now watch the likes of Bristol City, Coventry City and Middlesbrough fight it out for the top six.
Mowbray moves on with everyone’s well-wishes and respect intact, but this season has culminated in an opportunity wasted – and the ownership have to get the next call right.