david_smith
James McClean has hinted that he will leave West Brom if the Baggies get relegated.
The Republic of Ireland winger said relegation “is inevitable” and said players need to look after their careers and families.
West Brom picked up another win under caretaker manager Darren Moore in Newcastle on Saturday, but their recent resurgence has come too late to beat the drop. McClean, 29, has started the last four games for the club, and says “everyone wants to play Premier League football”.
“Everyone wants to play Premier League football so I do think there will obviously be a lot of people looking at their next move or their future come the summer if the inevitable happens and we do go down,” he said.
“The fans just see it as if you do go down and players leave then you’re a snake, or you’ve taken the club for a ride and this and that.
“But we’ve got families as well, we need to look after them. We’ve also got a career to look after as well, we want to be the best we can be. You have to look after yourself first and foremost.”
However, the Derry native was full of praise for Darren Moore, who has taken the reins after Alan Pardew’s sacking.
“Since the big man’s come in – I said it after the United game – look on the pitch now we know what we’re doing,” McClean said.
“It’s always difficult when you’re bottom of the league, you’re low on confidence, so he just gave everyone a confidence boost, reminded everyone they were good players.”
