James Shan proud of his time in charge of West Brom
James Shan is proud of his contribution over the past month that has helped steady the Albion ship.
The caretaker boss could take charge of the first team for the last time today when the Baggies host Preston North End at The Hawthorns.
Albion are expected to make an approach for Preston boss Alex Neil, who will coincidentally be standing in the other technical area, next week.
Shan was nominated for Championship manager of the month after winning his first three games in charge.
Although Albion have lost their last two, if they win today, he will have delivered 12 points from six matches.
“I have a massive amount of pride,” said Shan. “I’m paid to do my job to the best of my ability and that’s what I’ll continue to do.
“The three wins obviously highlight the good work and the two defeats some negative work.
“There’s obviously inexperience for myself in this position.
“I don’t think we’ve had performances that made it appear the coaching staff were tactically naive.
"I don’t want to come across arrogant, but I’m tactically astute. I’ve worked in the coaching industry for 18 years and worked my socks off to make sure I am.
“If it looked as if the players down tools there would be an issue.
"If the players weren’t working hard and showed no appetite, poor work ethic and a lack of tactical understanding then it would have been apparent they needed to get someone in ASAP.
“That hasn’t been the case. In an ideal world you perform well every week, but that doesn’t happen. It’s the nature of the beast."
Shan has been at the club for 13 years and has worked his way up from under-7s coach into a first team role.
Despite recently becoming a father for the third time, he has been getting into work at 6am during his stint as caretaker, but is aware decisions will be made above him.
“If the club deem they need to bring in someone with a bit more experience maybe of that play-off route, has been there done it, of course it would be an added bonus,” said Shan.
The Baggies fans turned on the board this week, and while Shan understands supporters are frustrated after two defeats, he’s urged the fanbase to unite for the run-in.
“I can appreciate the frustrations,” he said. “It looks very much like we are going to be in the play-offs.
“We need to make sure we unite as a football club and make sure the fans, who have been excellent, are right behind the team to give us the best possible chance of succeeding in the play-offs.”
