West Brom: Raphael Wicky claim made after inconsistent Tony Mowbray start | OneFootball

West Brom fan pundit Callum has admitted the club may have been better off if they had appointed Raphael Wicky over Tony Mowbray.

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 Brom might have been in the play-offs had they managed to appoint Raphael Wicky after their inconsistent run under Tony Mowbray.

After Carlos Corberan made the decision to leave for Valencia at Christmas, Albion were on the lookout for a new head coach, with the club ultimately turning to Mowbray, who returned for his second spell at The Hawthorns.

Even though Albion are only three points away from the play-off places, things haven’t exactly gone smoothly for Mowbray.

West Brom's mixed record under Tony Mowbray

In the 15 games he has been in charge of, West Brom have picked up 19 points under Mowbray, with five wins in that period.

If that form was extrapolated over a full season, the Baggies would fall short in terms of reaching the play-offs, but, crucially, they do still have a chance of going up due to the points collected prior to Mowbray’s appointment.

So, all attention turns to the next four games, with Albion in action on Good Friday in what is a huge game against Coventry City, who currently occupy the final play-off place.

West Brom may have benefited from Raphael Wicky appointment

Realistically, if Albion lose to the Sky Blues, their top six chances are over, and, should that happen, there will be many questions over Mowbray.

With that in mind, FLW asked fan pundit Callum whether the club would have benefited from appointing Raphael Wicky.

It’s no secret that the Swiss coach was on Albion’s radar before Mowbray was eventually named as Corberan’s successor, with some reports suggesting a deal for the ex-Basel coach fell through late on.

And, Callum admitted that there was a ‘decent chance’ the Baggies would be in a more commanding position had the deal for Wicky gone through.

He said: “It does beg the question as to how well Wicky would’ve done? I think there’s a decent chance we would be better off than we are now.

“Mowbray’s return has been largely inconsistent, and there have been a few confusing decisions regarding team selection. For example, Adam Armstrong. If Wicky was here, would he have signed? But even after signing, with a manager he knows well, he has not been able to play to his full potential, with Mowbray unable to get the most out of him.

“So it does leave you wondering if Albion would be comfortably in the play-offs if Wicky was here.”

Tony Mowbray can still bring success to West Brom

Despite the concerns about their form, Albion are still in a position where their destiny is in their own hands, and they know they can go into the play-offs with a win against Coventry.

Mowbray has been there and done it over the years, and he will feel he has the quality in his ranks to get three points against the Sky Blues.

It’s shaping up to be a huge few weeks for the Baggies, and the decision to return to Mowbray will be scrutinised when the season is finished, but if he can lead the club to another promotion, there won’t be any mention of Wicky.