Tomwba 𓅪

Massive win! Should’ve been more comfortable but just happy we’ve got a win away from home finally. You’d hope these back to back wins would do wonders mentally. Thought Wallace and Campbell both stood out, fantastic performance. #wba

@chrislepkowski @Lukey_Stan13 Spot on. There can be a world where Diakite can be replaced by a realistic target who wouldn’t cost the world and would improve us. It’s also a world where people can criticise a decision without seemingly being made out to criticise the whole club. Wonder if it’ll catch on 😄

@Lukey_Stan13 That usual lack of nuance; whereby just because you aren't sure about A, doesn't automatically mean you're alluding to B. Also, clubs know when the time is right to make these announcements. Suspect it was decided weeks ago.

Really not sure how Matt’s point has been missed with responses saying does he expect us to sign Yamal, Messi etc… Diakite, honest player who gives his all, but surely our recruitment team should be able to upgrade a player who has failed to cement a place for 2 years. #WBA

@_N47H4N He’s not looked the same this year - think we’ve relied on him being in the XI for us to win a game or play well for too long (up until recently ofc) Not sure if he’s carrying an injury or just been overplayed.

@Tomwba98 I can see it being Mowatt, still has some value but really need to be looking for his replacement before it’s too late.

Don’t see this as a controversial take. Diakite has been great last few games and it’s good to see, but that’s the point, it’s the last few games. How often is a player who’s coming to the end of a deal suddenly improved. Valid concern to question the short term view #wba

@_N47H4N I do think at least one needs moving on (no criticism against any of them) just a refresh needed and something different so wouldn’t be surprised as you say. Get what you mean - thanks for understanding my POV 👍

@Tomwba98 Wouldn’t be surprised to see Mowatt go in the summer. I do get what you’re saying, I also think it’s a sensible thing to take up the option given lack of depth and also means we may get a fee for him.

@CJHall83 Fingers crossed 🤞

@Tomwba98 Yeah but the last 2 seasons our hands have been tied by PSR. Hopefully they won’t be in the summer

Also, we need another CM no matter what, so why unnecessarily create a situation where you need two, diluting the funds you have to spend on the one you really want? #wba

@AliJones9 @stevenwbaprince My basis is last 2 years, it’s always been AM, JM, OD + 1. As you’ve agreed with I can’t see us going into a new season with that and being successful. Is what it is, as I said agree to disagree. Let’s enjoy the positivity at the moment and see what happens in the summer 👍

@Tomwba98 @stevenwbaprince Taking a years option on a player that’s starting on a low wage doesn’t mean we won’t though. I don’t see why you think it would

@_N47H4N Mowatt still has 1 year to go - and I don’t think it necessarily has to be “expensive”. Look at Heggem, Diakite himself came on a free. Just think if the recruitment team backed themselves they could find a little better 👍

@Tomwba98 I get what you’re saying but I don’t we have the money to go and recruit heavily in midfield, potentially losing Maja and Dike this summer means at least 2 strikers need to be signed. I think where we can retain some depth we will. Mowatt is off in the summer isn’t he?

@AliJones9 @stevenwbaprince We’ll have to agree to disagree on the debate, is what it is 👍 It’s good to see things positive at the moment after all of the trouble, just think there’s always areas we can do better even when things are going well.

@stevenwbaprince @Tomwba98 It’s probably a trigger that was written in with amount of appearances made. Shouldn’t even be a thing to debate for me. We’ve just started to turn a corner and he’s been an instrumental part of that. I’d probably say a bloke running off with £12m was more reason why we are tbh

@griffraces @AliJones9 He’s definitely improved, my worry is the consistency. It’s been a handful of games, I’d have just given it a little longer before taking up the option available to see whether this is a consistent level.

@AliJones9 @Tomwba98 Sensible decision imo. Has already improved since getting regular game time. Would worry more if Wallace or Dike were offered new deals

@stevenwbaprince @AliJones9 That’s my worry. Nothing against Diakite himself, just think we’ve needed a refresh in midfield for a while (this season especially has shown it) and taking up the option based on a few games isn’t what I’d have done.

@Tomwba98 @AliJones9 Hanging onto players after they have a couple of good games is why we are in the mess we are.

@CJHall83 No of course not - Just basing it off how we’ve worked for the previous 2 seasons. Be brilliant if he continues to play to the level he is, as we’ve relied on Mowatt starting for far too long. However, just wary it’s a small sample size of games we’re judging the +1 option on.

@Tomwba98 But we don’t know that will be the case. It’s very possible one of those gets moved or we bring in more options in that area.

@_N47H4N Half of my point that tbf. Worry is last 2 years we’ve always gone into season with a midfield 4 (Mowatt, Molumby, Diakite + 1) For me that won’t cut it again, only signing one in midfield might not be enough to improve. Almost like being scared to rip the plaster off?

@Tomwba98 Squad is already thin and we have multiple players out of contract in the summer. Makes sense to keep him in the squad, my concern would be more if we don’t look to improve on him in the summer.

@AliJones9 I’d say it’s more of a bad reflection on those in recruitment rather than Diakite himself. That’s where the concern is. Things are going well and happy to be positive at the moment after an awful year, just think we probably could’ve waited on the option and not jumped the gun.

@Tomwba98 It’s an option we’ve taken out that was written into his original contract when he joined. The club have opted to take it. Really struggling to understand why people think that’s a bad thing

@AliJones9 It’s an extension to his contract by 1 year as having the option available. No need to be nit picky when having a genuine debate?

@Tomwba98 It’s not an extension

@AliJones9 Continuity would be great, and I get that’s big in football. However for me, the extension feels a little more like “oh he’ll do”. Might be cynical thinking but feels like the recruitment team can or should back themselves to get better (not necessarily expensive either)

@Tomwba98 But wouldn’t some continuity be a good thing for once? We’ve had a disastrous season because we keep chopping and changing. I think with a run of games he’ll be very good at this level

@AliJones9 He may be, and Mozza has done well so far 100%, but there’s going to be a difference for our current manager (for this spell) and potentially a new manager coming in (if Mozza doesn’t get the full time job). We’ve already seen a drastic style switch with 3 managers this season.

@Tomwba98 It’s a zero risk low wage option that our current manager sees as pretty important

@AliJones9 For me you’d be looking at letting Diakite go and then having a Mowatt/Molumby as a squad player if you’re looking to improve. *If* we stay up we have a little wiggle room, and I just think midfield is somewhere where we can’t necessarily stand still.

@Tomwba98 I don’t disagree but taking Diakite option isn’t a bad thing

@AliJones9 I also struggle to see how we can go into another year with a midfield of Mowatt, Molumby, Diakite and another. We’ve seen how that’s panned out over the last two seasons. Nothing against the bloke, just think we need to move forward.

@Tomwba98 Also sense to recognise it’s not a new contract it’s us taking an option of an extra year. I’m struggling to see the issue