'Mowbray's arm around the shoulder was wrong fit'

There's an air of sadness to Albion's decision to end Tony Mowbray's second spell in charge after less than 100 days. Particularly due to the huge respect he built in his memorable first reign, but the swift sacking barely hours after a 3-1 defeat by Derby County is probably best for all parties.

A data led search for Carlos Corberan's successor after his abrupt departure on Christmas Eve led sporting director Andrew Nestor to the 61-year-old, who'd received the all-clear from a bowel cancer diagnosis just days earlier.

His return to football management in January was a feel-good story but unfortunately it won't have the fairytale ending of another promotion to the Premier League with the Baggies.

He inherited a squad that had been drilled by the meticulous Spaniard and took the handbrake off. Unfortunately, the players couldn't be trusted at the wheel and the play-off push went off the rails.

Mowbray's chopping and changing of line-ups suggested he was trying to figure out who he could trust to play his way but while he was doing that, results failed to come and two dismal displays over the Easter weekend have cost him his job.

The players certainly shouldn't be absolved from blame for the underwhelming end to the season. It looks like they needed Corberan's discipline, rather than Mowbray's friendly arm around the shoulder.

Time is on Albion's side with the season coming to a close but there's pressure on owners Bilkul to get this next appointment right to re-establish the club as one that can fight for promotion next season.