‘Wasn’t suited’ – Valerien Ismael’s two major mistakes outlined following West Brom exit

West Brom’s decision to sack Valerien Ismael has been backed by Football League World journalist, Ben Wignall, who has outlined Ismael’s lack of Plan B and direct style as his biggest downfalls at the Hawthorns. 

Ismael was appointed at West Brom on a four-year contract back in the summer and oversaw a positive start to the Championship season.

However, results have left West Brom vulnerable and on the cusp of dropping out of the Championship’s top-six. Ismael has been sacked and Steve Bruce has been appointed as the Baggies’ new boss.

Over on FLW TV, the decision to hire Bruce and sack Ismael has been a point of discussion, with Ben firstly outlining Ismael’s lack of Plan B as his first mistake.

“He came from Barnsley where he’d overachieved and there was instant expectation wasn’t there? The expectation that he’d get the results to take West Brom back to the top-flight,” Ben explained.

“To be fair, in the first 10 or 11 games, he was unbeaten and they were flying.

“But it soon became apparent that when there was a few injuries and suspensions that he didn’t really seem to have a Plan B.

“The squad is pretty thin on the ground even though there’s a lot of quality in there. In his final few weeks there was a lot of youngsters in there that haven’t been used by the club.”

Ismael’s direct style of play had fired Barnsley into the Championship’s play-offs last season, with the Frenchman looking to carry that identity with him to the Hawthorns.

Ultimately, it proved to be a sticking point with supporters, who wanted a more attractive style of play.

Furthering his argument that West Brom made the right call sacking Ismael, Ben identified the style of play as a problem, as it didn’t suit the club’s attacking players.

“The lack