“Just another sign of total mismanagement” – West Brom fan pundit delivers verdict on Sam Johnstone’s future

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Bromwich Albion were able to keep the majority of their relegated Premier League squad intact when returning to the Championship, and one of those who stayed was Sam Johnstone.

The England international goalkeeper went into the summer with just one year remaining on his contract and it was expected that he would depart the Baggies to enhance his chances of further call-ups for his country.

August 31 passed though without Johnstone leaving, however interest was expected in the most recent transfer window that occurred in January.

Johnstone missed four league games during that month, with three of those down to suspension but with just days remaining his absence for the away trip to Millwall suggested that he may be on the way out.

That wasn’t the case though and it looks very much like the 29-year-old will run down his contract, which expires in June.

It’s something that FLW’s West Brom fan pundit Matt thinks is inevitable though – especially with the club’s current form on the pitch putting a promotion push back to the top flight in massive jeopardy.

“I certainly do expect Sam Johnstone to leave Albion at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract,” Matt said.

“He’s an England international who’ll be looking to add more caps to his name and therefore to do that he has to play in the Premier League so you can’t really blame him for wanting to leave.

“I’m sure he can get himself a decent enough move to a club in a better position both on and off the pitch than Albion.

“You can’t really blame