A message to West Brom as fans wait on Valerien Ismael update

The silence is deafening.

Rarely in recent years have West Bromwich Albion been so inactive on a transfer deadline day, but those in the fanbase expecting news and constantly refreshing their Twitter feeds throughout this Monday haven’t been awaiting a brand new signing, holding onto a club jersey or a scarf from the club shop above their head.

No, the ongoing situation inside the walls of the club’s Walsall training ground is more serious than a panic buy.

Saturday at Millwall felt like match point against Valerien Ismael. To use a tennis analogy, he’s two sets down and is against the serve. How many tennis players in that scenario rescue the situation and go on to climb the mountain they’ve left themselves to overcome? Very few.

That’s how far it feels Ismael has before he wins the club’s fanbase around. The consensus at the time of writing is overwhelming. You can’t ignore the opinions of those on social media, nor those on the post-match phone-ins.

You can’t ignore the overriding reaction of those who pay God knows how much across the season in tickets and travel to follow Albion around the country, nor the empty seats vacated by those who would otherwise be there, but who are choosing to stay away right now.

The Hawthorns was a grim place to be last Wednesday. Being at the New Den on Saturday come 5pm wasn’t much better.

The tension at this moment circulating around the club is quite unbearable, and with it are the rather unhelpful online rumours circulating regarding Ismael’s future at the club.

Something must be done. Something needs to happen, now. There needs to be clarity. The club must come forward publicly and outline their stance, one way or the other. It could be that such plans are being put in place