Blog: Gutted for Steve Clarke, he played his part in West Brom's Premier League journey

Like many others, I travelled down to Cardiff on Saturday morning still retaining a sense of optimism, an optimism that an upturn in fortunes may be just around the corner. What transpired on the pitch was anything but that: I believe that if we were still playing now, we probably wouldn't have scored.

A 1-0 defeat was by no means a reflection of Cardiff's superiority, indeed, from memory, they mustered one meaningful assault on Albion's goal, but that proved enough. Similarly, Norwich needed just three shots the week before and Newcastle barely got out of second gear at St. James Park the week before that: Albion have become too easy to beat, and therein lies a fundamental problem.

More cynical supporters will undoubtedly point towards Albion's sub-standard record in 2013 – won 7, drawn 10 and lost 17 in the Premier League – an undeniable fact; the more optimistic may refer to a highest top division finish for 30 years and the mitigating circumstances of our Premier League status being virtually secured by last February.

I think, in truth, Clarke's performance can be measured somewhere in between those two parameters: he perhaps became a victim of his early-season success last year, arguably built on the solid foundations of Roy Hodgson's reign. This season his record has been blemished by some unfortunate decisions, none more so than Andre Marriner's controversial last minute penalty award at Stamford Bridge.

To my mind, it's only been in the last month where the wheels have really fallen off the Albion bandwagon. We don't look like scoring, nor do we look like keeping a clean sheet, which, generally-speaking, is a fairly toxic combination.

There were no indications that Clarke had lost the dressing room, indeed up until the final few minutes on Saturday, there was visible endeavour from the players to rescue something from the game, just a notable lack of quality to match it.

I've heard supporters question Clarke's team selections, he was criticized for not starting with Shane Long against Norwich, yet Long was woeful when introduced and largely ineffective at Cardiff. Similarly many have questioned a reluctance to utilize Saido Berahino, I've heard from quite a reliable source that the young lad's attitude has not been what it should be. Some have also denounced an insistence on playing Liam Ridgewell, when the alternative, Goran Popov, has looked a liability when called upon. Put simply, too many players haven't performed at the required level.

This is where I'm a little uncertain if Jeremy Peace has made the correct decision, is the new man in the hot-seat going to transform Victor Anichebe or Long into a 15-goal a season fox-in-the-box? Is the new man going to convert Ridgewell or Popov into a resolute, dependable and dynamic full-back? What can the new man do to ensure Stephane Sessegnon bursts the net with his next open goal when we're 2-0 up? Albion's deficiencies are arguably as much a product of their transfer policy and circumstance as they are tactical failings.

When Roberto Di Matteo was dismissed from the Hawthorns back in 2011, a situation that bore un-seaming parallels to the situation we now find ourselves, there was a deluge of reputable candidates readily available – Roy Hodgson, Chris Hughton and Sam Allardyce to name three. This time around the names being bandied around look somewhat less appealing.

Of those readily available and heavily linked, only Martin Jol and Roberto Di Matteo have managed in the Premier League before, with questionable success. I'd be surprised if Peace went for either, particularly Di Matteo given the nature of his dismissal last time.

That brings a list of coaches without any experience of managing at this level. For that reason alone, Paul Clement, Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Michael Appleton or Mike Phelan would represent a huge gamble on Albion's part.

For me personally, I don't see leadership qualities in Phelan, nor do I believe assisting Sir Alex Ferguson alone is reason enough to warrant giving somebody a job, Brian Kidd proved that. I'm not convinced Appleton has the aptitude to succeed at this level and I don't know enough about the other three.

That said, I wouldn't have picked Sir Gary Megson, Bryan Robson, Tony Mowbray, Roberto Di Matteo or Steve Clarke, so what do I know?!

One thing is for certain, Jeremy Peace has been here before, he's been the constant at West Bromwich Albion when all around him has changed and the vast majority of his decisions have been for the good of the club. He's certainly earned the trust of the supporters to make another, let's hope he gets this right and whoever that man is will get my full backing.

Finally, whatever our individual views on Clarke's tenure, I think most of us can agree that he's been an honest, dignified and conscientious servant to West Bromwich Albion, who has played a significant part in our Premier League journey.

The 3-0 drubbing of Liverpool back in his opening game, the slaying of European Champions Chelsea, the 4-2 win at Sunderland which saw us move up to third in the Premier League, the 2-0 smash-and-grab win at Anfield, the hammering of Southampton in the spring-time sunshine and his last win, Albion's first at Old Trafford for 35 years, were some of the highlights of Clarke's reign.

Good luck Steve Clarke and thanks for the memories.