Misalignment within the hierarchy surfaced after the dismissal of Mason, the former Tottenham assistant.
Mason lost too many games but was afflicted by desperately poor fortune. Albion were in the Championship’s bottom three for points difference affected by refereeing decisions. At one point, their save percentage from various goalkeepers was the third-worst in the league.
When he departed, West Brom had run the furthest distance of any team in the Championship. He also inherited a squad who had problems last season, including registering only 10 wins from their previous 41 matches in all competitions.
Mason was sacked after another late defeat, this time at Leicester, and Nestor’s future was subsequently plunged into doubt, too.
Despite interviewing Ramsay in the process which eventually led to Mason’s appointment, some senior figures felt the current squad were not capable of flourishing under a different set-up and formation so late in the season.
Nestor’s exit is alleged to have caught Albion by surprise, with former managing director Mark Miles returning to the club.
Transfer business in the January window late on was overseen by recruitment chief Ian Pearce. On deadline day two teenagers from Premier League academies arrived in Hindolo Mustapha (Crystal Palace) and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba (Aston Villa).
Though highly rated young talents, thrusting them into the white heat of a relegation battle does not seem very wise. Ramsay even admitted after the 0-0 draw with Stoke that Mustapha was “not ready” to make an immediate impact.
With injuries now biting – Ramsay is now deprived of forward Karlan Grant and other experienced players – the situation is becoming perilous.
The visit of Coventry this weekend kicks off a potentially pivotal stage in the season. Ramsay could really do with picking up that first win.
This summer’s reset is the light at the end of the tunnel, and that is why Championship survival is imperative.
