Valerien Ismael
Alex Mowatt is set to follow Valerien Ismael through the door at West Brom, and will have trodden the same path in doing so. If and when Mowatt completes his move, on a free transfer after his contract at Barnsley expired, he knows what he’s letting himself in for. Speaking previously about how Ismael transformed Barnsley’s fortunes, he was able to offer insight into what the Frenchman is likely to expect from the Albion group.
Alex Mowatt said: “He’s come in and has simplified everything that we do. We don’t take as many chances at the back anymore. We want to get the ball forward and play in the opposition half. That’s helped everyone massively. The first game that the gaffer came in, we won 3-0 [against Queens Park Rangers] and everyone bought into him straight away. He is a big presence and he is scary at times … but he has only lost his head once or twice. He wants to win every single game. He is the same in training as well. I have really enjoyed working with him. Training is intense and he doesn’t take any crap from the lads. That’s shown in the games as well. All the players respect the gaffer, he’s a big scary lad.”
On his contract situation, Mowatt was rather coy when asked about how the land lay earlier this year. Indeed, there was a hope on the club’s part that they’d be able to convince him to remain in Yorkshire, but Ismael’s departure and their failure to seal promotion in the play-offs always left an element of doubt that he’d re-sign.
Alex Mowatt said: “There were contract talks earlier in the season, but everything has been pushed aside for now because of how well we’re doing and it’s just about concentrating on the football.
Chief executive Dane Murphy, himself expected to leave the club with Nottingham Forest interested in bringing him down to the Midlands, was hopeful that a deal could be struck following the culmination of Barnsley’s season. He outlined how Ismael valued him and hoped he’d stay put, despite the campaign ending in disappointment.
Dane Murphy said: “We have tried for close to a year – maybe even longer since I have been here – to extend him (his deal). We are still confident we can get that across the line. With Alex, it is finding the best situation for him. I am strong in the belief – and I think Valerien is strong in the belief – that Barnsley Football Club is the best place for Alex. He is the captain and leads the line and is going to play and no-one is going to take the shirt off him. He is able to play in a role where he can get forward and have an impact to score goals and provide assists and impact the team defensively. I don’t know if he has a better (other) situation out there for him. Valerien has been very clear that he wants to keep Alex.”
As things stand, though, there is a very good chance that Mowatt will be all signed up with Albion in time to join in pre-season training with his new teammates.
