I'VE said it before. Twice.

I might as well do so again.

Albion must give more support to their next manager - or head coach, if you really insist.

The Baggies were correct to sack Roberto Di Matteo.

A few of us had witnessed an erosion of trust and respect for the Italian in recent weeks. From above and from the shop floor.

Some players will be pleased he's gone (you can probably guess who). Some players I know are unhappy he's gone. Splits within the camp were obvious.

The shock and hysteria from London-based media, some of whom haven't been to The Hawthorns this season (not to be confused with the Midlands-based media pack who cover the patch for the national press) was inevitable and predictable.

How could a nice chap like Di Matteo possibly be sacked, said they from afar.

The club should have done more to articulate their reasons.

Releasing a 508-word statement on the club's official website - I make that about £1.20 per word for an average season-ticket holder in the Birmingham Road End - and then relying on a few local and Midlands-based national media to give insight into the situation is hardly a way for Albion to treat paying customers.

That's behind us now.

The point is that Di Matteo is merely one of another notches on the doorframe as you enter the training ground.

Since the Walsall-based complex was built and expanded, Albion's administrative staff - with the exception of club shop, ticket office and the community staff - have swapped the Hawthorns for the players' and coaching staff's place of work.

Supposedly to make life easier for all. Not sure everyone sees it that way, but still.

The Baggies hierarchy need to think carefully about how much they are helping their gaffers.

All four of the club's Premier League bosses have had cause for concern over a lack of action in the transfer market. We don't hear these rumblings as consistently elsewhere in the Midlands.

Sure, Martin O'Neill liked a moan or two. And we all know how strained the relationship became between Steve Bruce and the former Blues board when they were pitched together up the road.

But it's a common theme at Albion.

Four managers, four personalities. Some abrasive, some passionate, some relaxed, some resigned to the worst. I've seen them all. And all have had cause for complaint about, not only with a lack of progress in transfer windows, but also a perceived 'faffing around' (with apologies to Gary Megson for coining his phrase).

It's no secret that Albion could have signed John Carew had they not dithered after the Fulham defeat - long enough for Emile Heskey to be sent off.

Credit must be given for Albion matching Stoke's offer once the Potters pitched in for the Norwegian but it should have been wrapped up before then.

Eric Choupo-Moting and Odefami Martins also came into the picture but never materialised.

And as for defenders? Let's not go there. We could all see the problems. Dan Ashworth picked some out potential targets. Again, they didn't arrive.

Four managers have had a good moan over the recent years. The next head coach probably will do so too because no lessons ever seem to be taken on board at B71.

It's the same every time.

For once, let's hope Albion get it right. Choosing the right successor to Di Matteo is only half of the task.