John Wile: Stick with Darren Moore when tough times come along

Albion are playing attractive football, scoring goals by the hatful, are near the top of the table, and have integrated several new players successfully.

I have been critical over the past few years about the style of football at The Hawthorns because I believed the club was losing its identity.

But Darren’s first words when he was appointed were all about rediscovering Albion’s tradition and doing so with everybody involved in the club playing their part.

He’s been true to his word, and has developed a style of play that is not only exciting to watch, but is also delivering results.

It shouldn’t be underestimated what a lift that gives to the community. I speak to a lot of Albion fans on a daily basis who are now proud to call themselves a Baggie again.

They’ve got something to boast about, which is particularly important considering the noisy neighbours down the road are doing quite well at the moment!

This is what people want, a team that excites them, rather than one that sticks eight or ten men behind the ball. It’s chalk and cheese compared to what we’ve seen previously.

I understand why some of the old fashioned managers produce football like that because it’s a results-based industry, but I think it’s becoming more and more accepted that it’s also an entertainment industry too.

I’m stepping in for my old defensive partner Ally Robertson this week, and when we watched the old regime, I used to say to him ‘Me and you could still play in this team’ because the defenders were so well protected.

Everybody in front of them was doing the defending, but now the back line is a bit more exposed.

That’s probably why there haven’t been many clean sheets so far this season, but it’s something the defenders will get used to I’m sure.

There is an argument the back three could use a little more protection, but hopefully that doesn’t remove the goal threat.

If we need to score three or four goals to win a game because we’ve conceded two, let’s go and do that!

I’ve been really impressed with Moore so far. Not only is the team performing well, but from what I read in the paper and hear on the radio, he’s also saying the right things too.

But this is football, and we all know how fast-paced and cut-throat it is. There will come a time this season when the team are not as exciting as they currently are, and are not scoring four goals each game.

With that in mind, my only message to the fans is, when the team does go through a bad patch, to keep faith in Moore and his coaching team because things are heading in the right direction. And isn’t it a pleasure to be able to say that?