West Bromwich Albion lost their third game of the 2018/19 Championship campaign on Saturday as we went down 1-0 to newly promoted Wigan Athletic.
A late 74th-minute goal from Josh Windass brought out seven-game unbeaten run to an end and it was a poor showing once again given the improved standards the side had set under head coach Darren Moore and Wigan’s margin of victory could well have been larger had it not been for the efforts of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone between the sticks.
The day didn’t get much better as any hope of a late fightback were pretty much ended when Jake Livermore saw himself sent off inside of the final ten minutes of the match for a second bookable offence.
Frustration was high on the order for fans following the game, and the fact we only got one effort on target across the whole game probably shows how bad a performance it was from us.
I agree in the middle of the park. That’s something that should have been addressed in the summer. The signing of Mears as well and how he keeps playing is mind blowing, however overall we have enough. When Phillips is back and sako fit we will be more than fine.
— Andy Leeman (@AndyLeeman91) October 20, 2018
Mears is probs a lovely geezer but if he’s classing himself as a professional footballer then I am too #wba
— Jay Hickman (@HurricaneHic147) October 20, 2018
Wouldn’t mind if Tyrone Mears didn’t play for us again tbf
— Tom Kieran (@tomtomKN) October 20, 2018
Rather have any three of those young lads in the team with the risk of playing poorly than have Mears who in an ideal world leaves in January. Honestly mate I’m not in meltdown like some and the abuse banded about is idiotic, but our shortcomings are glaring and need addressing.
— joe ???? (@joekapalo) October 20, 2018
WBA today were terrible. Darren Moore tactically got it all wrong. Mears isn’t fit to play Sunday league football… Taking Gayle off, your top scorer, when you trail 1-0. Bizarre. @WBA #useless
— Olly Westbury (@OllyWestbury) October 20, 2018
Very poor today, to be fair to brunt he ain't a a central midfield player and he's there cos of bad planning during the transfer window. Mears is passed it but he shouldn't have been signed in the first place. Hrk isn't good enough. Centre half's are poor. On to the next game.
— robert c. williams (@garwalbion) October 20, 2018
The fact Moore left Mears on for 70 mins tells you everything Just what was our game plan today??? Moore is the new Mike Bassett ‘just go on and run around a bit’. Clueless coaching, watch him on the sideline. It’s the occasional Barnes or Gayle brilliance that saves him.#WBA
— Paul Gainham MBAEC (@PaulGainham) October 20, 2018
Big dave……. learn from it. Still 3rd, not the end of the world. Mears and our defence just aren’t good enough #wba
— Ross Melrose (@rmelrose11) October 20, 2018
Unfortunately, as the above comments show, 35-year-old Tyrone Mears’ arrival at the club pretty much marked his card before he even began so any poor performance is quickly jumped on. Some of the comments are fair enough, others a touch over the top given Mears is a makeweight given our failures in the transfer window and it’s not like we’re third or anything.