God. I've been covering West Brom for years now, and I've never seen anything quite like this trainwreck. FOURTEEN players shown the door after what can only be described as the most spectacular collapse I've witnessed in Championship football. My cousin (die-hard Baggies fan) hasn't returned my texts in weeks. Poor bastard.
From Promotion Dreams to Managerial Nightmare
Remember when West Brom sat comfortably in sixth place? Those were the days. Then Carlos Coberan packed his bags for Valencia, and in came Tony Mowbray with all the impact of a wet paper towel.
Five wins in 18 games. That's it. That's the story.
I watched their final home game of the season from the press box, and you could practically taste the disappointment hanging in the air. The bloke next to me—veteran reporter who's covered the club since teh 90s—just kept shaking his head and muttering "unbelievable" under his breath. Can't say I blamed him.
Captain Wallace Didn't Hold Back (And Neither Should He)
Jed Wallace, the Baggies captain, called the second-half collapse "unacceptable" when talking to the BBC. He actually took some responsibility too, which was refreshing: "At times like this you have to look at yourself – as a group of players you have to look at yourself and say how many of us have had a good season? I know I certainly haven't."
Well... at least someone at the club has some self-awareness.
The Exodus: Who's Packing Their Bags?
The club's response? A brutal clear-out that's left fans reeling. Former Chelsea youngster John Swift is gone after 125+ appearances since joining from Reading in 2022. I interviewed him last season after a match against Hull—seemed like a decent bloke who genuinely cared about the club. Didn't see this coming for him.
Semi Ajayi, who spent two years at Arsenal between 2013 and 2015 before becoming a fixture in West Brom's defense with 177 appearances, is also heading for the exit. The 38-time Nigeria international will likely have plenty of suitors.
And then there's Grady Diangana. Remember when West Ham fans nearly rioted when he was sold to West Brom? £18 MILLION they paid for him in 2020! I was at that press conference—David Moyes looked like he'd swallowed something particularly unpleasant when asked about the transfer. Now Diangana's just another name on the list of casualties.
Young Blood Gets Drained Too
It's not just the big names feeling the axe. A bunch of youngsters like Fenton Heard, Josh Shaw, and Reece Hall have been shown the door as well. Spoke to Heard's dad at a reserve game back in November... he was so proud watching his son in that Baggies shirt. Now what?
The loan players—Mason Holgate, Adam Armstrong, and Will Lankshear—are all heading back to their parent clubs (Everton, Southampton, and Tottenham respectively). Armstrong actually looked decent whenever I saw him play. Wouldn't be surprised if another Championship club snaps him up.
What's Left of the Hawthorns?
I drove past the Hawthorns yesterday on my way to cover a different story. There was this weird emptiness about the place... like when you return to your old school years later and everything seems smaller and sadder than you remember.
West Brom fans deserve better. I've sat with them in the stands (back in 2018 when I was working on that feature about generational support), shared their pies, their beers, their hopes. The club needs a complete reset if they're going to bounce back from this.
And honestly? I wouldn't bet my mortgage on seeing them in the promotion picture next season.
The Aftermath: Where Do They Go From Here?
Listen. This isn't just a bad season—it's a full-blown identity crisis. Whoever takes over from Mowbray (James Morrison's currently interim) has a rebuild job that would make most managers wake up in cold sweats.
Fourteen players. Gone. Just like that.
I'm meeting an old contact from within the club for drinks next week... promised him I wouldn't quote him directly, but I'm betting the stories he has to tell will be worth the £40 bar tab I'll inevitably end up paying. Will update if I hear anything juicy.
Until then, West Brom fans might want to prepare for a bumpy ride. The Championship is unforgiving at the best of times—and these are definitely not the best of times at the Hawthorns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you think of the Premier League concept called the 'Big Six?
The Big Six refers specifically to a group of Premier League clubs who have had the most success and influence in recent years. Manchester United and Manchester City are often included in the list. Other clubs include Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. These teams have a reputation for a consistently high performance, a huge fan base and financial strength, as well as qualifying frequently for European competitions.
What is the function of the video assistant referee (VAR), in the Premier League?
In the Premier League, the Video Assistant Referee system (VAR), which is used to assist on-field officials in making correct decisions about goals, penalties, red card incidents and cases of misidentification, is employed. The VAR examines the footage of the incident and provides advice to the on-field referee. They can also view a video replay at the pitchside monitor, before making their final decision. The system aims to minimize human errors that could influence the outcome of a match.
How has the Premier League evolved since its creation?
Since its founding in 1992, there have been many changes in the Premier League. It began as a breakaway division from the Football League. This was done to take advantage a lucrative deal for television rights. Since then, it has grown into a global sporting phenomenon, attracting top talent from all over the world, undergoing branding changes, and experiencing massive increases in revenue. In addition, the league has seen advances in sports science, stadium technology, and training facilities.
What is Premier League?
Premier League, the highest-level football league in England, is also one of the best and most popular leagues in domestic football. The English Football League operates on a promotion and demotion system. There are 20 teams in the Premier League. Each team plays 38 home and away matches per season. The season usually runs from August to may. The Premier League is known for its high-quality football, international array of star players, and significant global following.
How do you determine the Premier League champion?
The Premier League winner is the team with the most points during the 38-game regular season. A team receives three points if they win, one for a draw and zero for losing. If teams finish the season with equal points, then the winner is determined by the goal difference and, if needed, the number scored. If there is still a tie, the winner may be decided by a playoff, which can take place at a neutral location. This scenario, however, has never happened in Premier League history.
Statistics
- The record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season by a player is 32, achieved by Mohamed Salah during the 2017-2018 campaign.
- The 2018–19 season saw Manchester City accumulate a staggering 100 points, setting the record for the highest total in Premier League history.
- Arsenal boasts an unbeaten streak of 49 Premier League matches from May 2003 to October 2004, the longest in the history of the league.
- Petr Čech set a remarkable defensive record during the 2004-2005 season with 24 clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season.
- Alan Shearer is the all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals across his stellar career.
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How To Wear Your Premier League Team Colors With Style
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