West Bromwich Albion is currently experiencing significant upheaval following the sudden departure of their manager, Carlos Corberan. The club, often simply called the Baggies, has transitioned to interim management with the likes of Chris Brunt, Damia Abella, and Boaz Myhill stepping up during this challenging period. The coaching void has certainly pressured the players to adapt, and they have been vocal about their aspirations to regroup and push forward.
One player who has reflected on this shift is Callum Styles. The left-back, who recently made headlines for scoring against Preston, emphasized how the squad is trying to revitalize their approach to matches. “We did really well under Carlos, but I think as a team we just had to galvanise and we thought ‘you know what we just have to get after teams more’,” Styles mentioned during his conversation with BBC WM, illustrating the new offensive mentality the team is adopting.
So far, Albion’s fresh approach has yielded mixed results, securing four points from their last three matches. The team showcased their potential by drawing against high-flying Sheffield United 2-2, followed by their 3-1 success over Preston. Players are increasingly confident as they find their footing under new leadership and adjust to the changes happening around them.
Styles, who joined West Brom from Barnsley, expressed excitement about his role within the squad. “With the players we have, we can interchange. I can go inside, I can go wide. We have a really good squad and I'm enjoying getting up the pitch more now,” he stated, hinting at his eagerness to contribute offensively as part of Albion’s attacking unit. He noted, particularly after their match against Preston, how their ability to press forward had made their performances more dynamic and engaging for fans.
Continuing the narrative of change, the Baggies faced Swansea this past weekend, where they were held to a 1-1 draw. During the match, they dominated much of the first half, creating plenty of scoring opportunities but failing to convert them. Styles highlighted this aspect of their performance, noting the importance of capitalizing on dominant play, especially as they strive to keep their momentum going. “Home goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux was not stretched enough,” he summarized post-match, which reflects the frustrations of the squad after missing clear chances.
On the flip side, Swansea’s head coach, Luke Williams, navigated some intense speculation surrounding his potential to take over at West Brom. Although initially reluctant to detach himself from the rumors, Williams later acknowledged his failure to manage the situation effectively. Following the match against Albion, he admitted, “It’s a situation I did not help. I created a lot of the noise. There’s been no contact from West Brom, to me, my agent or the football club.” Williams humorously recounted how his agent had suffered from illness during the festive period, emphasizing how the rumors had distracted everyone involved.
Afterward, Williams was balanced in assessing his team’s performance, stating, “I think we deserved to draw, it was two very tired sides and you could see early on, but we deserved a point.” His remarks subtly highlighted the tiring effects of the busy match calendar on both teams as they compete fiercely within the league.
Despite the disappointment from the draw against Swansea, there is optimism for Albion as they prepare for upcoming fixtures. The players have shown promise with their new tactics and the support from management, even if it’s interim. They will be focusing on turning their performance potential fully on the pitch and reclaiming the identity they need to push upward through the league.
West Bromwich Albion’s fans have been deeply engaged during this transitional period, voicing their support for the players and awaiting the decision about their future manager, whoever he might be. For now, the objective remains clear: build on recent improvements, solidify their tactics, and secure more wins moving forward.