West Brom exclusive: McInnes is your man says Baggies legend

Jun 21 2009 by Robert Tanner, Sunday Mercury

“I can’t see why he couldn’t do it.”

Sneekes was a fan of Mowbray’s attacking, entertaining style of football but felt Albion failed to recruit the type of player, like McInnes in his heyday, that could add some much needed steel, and he urged whoever takes up the reins at The Hawthorns to add some balance to the squad.

“I think whoever takes over would have to get rid of the deadwood and add some different qualities to the squad,” he said.

“What we needed last season was there for all to see, but I think the manager’s hands were tied.

“It could have been rectified and sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate.

“You can’t fault Jeremy Peace. Look at Leeds United who threw money at it, but I feel last year they could have spent a little bit more to speculate but they didn’t.

“Having said that, if it had been the other way around and Peace had thrown money at it and it had gone wrong, he would be getting even more criticism.”

Many of the Albion supporters felt let down when Mowbray departed. They gave him their backing despite relegation and feel their loyalty was not returned.

However, Sneekes said he couldn’t blame Mowbray for turning his back on Albion to head to Celtic.

“I think Tony wanted to stay and wanted to keep his best players but the opportunity to go to a club that is close to his heart came up,” he said.

“It is also a chance to manage in the Champions League and who would begrudge him that?

“He has left a good squad. Now Albion need a manager who is in a similar mould who can add some steel to the squad and tweak a few things. I think Albion will bounce straight back up.

“If a manager comes in and decides to change everything and start from scratch then it would be a backward step.

“After a month or so he might say he doesn’t fancy this player and that, and want to get rid of them and get his own players. That would cost the club more money.

“They need a manager who wants to play in a similar style to Tony and carry on what he has started.”