Express & Star

Comment: How Darren Moore turned poison into passion at West Brom

This time last year, Albion were a club in turmoil, lurching from one controversy to the next.

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Albion celebrate their winner at QPR. (AMA)

Still reeling from the taxi-gate scandal of a mid-season jolly to Barcelona, results had fallen off a cliff and senior professionals were questioning team-mates and the manager in heated dressing room rows.

Fast-forward 12 months, and the picture couldn’t be more different. What was once a disjointed squad is now singing from the same hymn sheet.

Harmony and unity has replaced in-fighting and discord, epitomised best by the passionate celebrations after Tuesday’s 94th-minute winner at Loftus Road.

It was a moment that caused Darren Moore to praise his side’s character, and match-winner Jake Livermore to say afterwards “We are all one brain.”

Albion may have the strongest squad in the division, but this turnaround should not be ignored or downplayed.

Plenty of other relegated teams have been unable to stop the downward spiral in recent years.

So what’s the secret? How has Moore changed a poisonous club into a vibrant one?

His typically humble answer gives an insight into his methods.

“I know everybody will ask ‘what have I done?’ but it’s been a joint effort,” he insists. “It has to be. Everybody has a responsibility to come together as one.

“To have that turn around, and change that culture, it has to be a joint effort.

“I carry value for the people who do jobs at this club, as well as the supporters. It’s a wonderful club but only because of what we make it.”

From the outside, appointing Moore in the summer looked like a gamble. Here was a rookie manager with just six games under his belt and six months of coaching first team football.

But one of the reasons it has turned out to be a success so far is Moore’s affinity to the club and his relationship with so many people involved in it.

His official title may be ‘head coach’, but he values far more than just the first team. In many ways, his management style is a traditional, all-encompassing one.

“There has to be clear value for what every individual does in their role for the club,” he said.

“From the commercial team, to the ticket office, to the stewards, whatever you do is greatly appreciated.

“If that is traditional, it’s just the way I feel is right. It’s how I feel football clubs in my head, should operate.

“You’re not just a one-man team, you’re a team, and that extends to the supporters as well.

“Yes I’m the head coach, but for the team to operate at full function, other aspects of the club need to run well. It does help.”

Valuing all members of staff equally removes the disconnect between the first team and others.

Valuing the supporters helps temper the disconnect between the fanbase and the players.

Moore’s humility has, in turn, removed the ego from his squad.

It has created a team that used to shirk the battle, into one now willing to roll up its sleeves and fight.

He’s also managed his squad well over the course of the season, and everyone has had a part to play at some point.

Performances have been rewarded aptly, whether it’s Hal Robson-Kanu keeping Dwight Gayle out of the team, or Rekeem Harper keeping his place in the line-up.

That breeds healthy competition and a healthy squad dynamic.

“On Tuesday night, you’ve seen where the squad is at, and where we are as a club,” said Moore.

“But we have to keep doing it, we can’t take our eye off the ball. And when I say that, I say everybody at the club, not just the team.”

Who knows what the run-in has in store. Who knows what the next two games has in store.

But the environment Moore has cultivated inside his dressing room over the past 10 months has given Albion a shot at bouncing straight back up.