Behaviour of West Brom quartet ‘beggars belief’, says former captain Wile
ByPA Sport
Published 18/02/2018 at 15:03 GMT
The Baggies are rooted to the foot of the Premier League and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton on Saturday.
Gareth Barry and Jonny Evans both started for West Brom against Southampton
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West Brom’s Gareth Barry, Jonny Evans, Jake Livermore and Boaz Myhill have been labelled “ridiculously stupid” by the club’s celebrated former captain John Wile.
The quartet have apologised in the wake of allegations they stole a taxi during the club’s training camp in Barcelona.
The incident is being investigated by the club, who remain bottom of the Premier League.
Barry and Evans started Saturday’s FA Cup defeat by Southampton and Myhill was among the substitutes, a situation Wile believes indicates the club are not in a position to strongly punish them.
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West Bromwich Albion v Southampton – Emirates FA Cup – Fifth Round – The Hawthorns
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“It goes from bad to worse,” Wile, 70, told BBC Radio Five Live. “To take advantage of going away, you’d hope everyone would treat it as it should be and lift the pressure a little bit.
“To do what they have done, knowing they were out beyond the curfew – I actually thought the curfew was very generous at 12pm – and then to do something ridiculously stupid like take a taxi, beggars belief.
“What surprised me is these aren’t kids. They’re four adults, four very senior professionals, and that’s just not the sort of behaviour you’d expect from someone of their standing.
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West Bromwich Albion v Southampton – Emirates FA Cup – Fifth Round – The Hawthorns
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“It’s a total disrespect for the people who are employing them and for the people who support them every week. These guys are revered by thousands of people, they should set an example.
“We’re told now that the modern game is so professional, they’re athletes, they’re looked after. This tells you an awful lot that’s not happening.
“There’s always a danger (on club trips). I’d be a hypocrite if I was to say it never happened on trips that I was away with, although I can’t remember anything as silly as this one.”
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West Bromwich Albion v Southampton – Emirates FA Cup – Fifth Round – The Hawthorns
Image credit: PA Sport
The majority of Wile’s 500 appearances for West Brom came during the 1970s in which players had far less power and, having also served the club as caretaker manager and chief executive, he recognises the difficult position they are in.
“They don’t have the luxury of saying we can do without these players because they don’t have enough good players,” he added.
“Even if they do fine the players, unfortunately it doesn’t mean a lot today. Managers and clubs in general are in a difficult position with players. The power has shifted dramatically to players and agents.
“It must be a very, very difficult job to control if they behave in such a way as they have. The only conclusion you can draw is that things aren’t right.”
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