Column: Jacobs and McCall back Moore the boss

“Anyone But United” moan those fans who accuse others of jealously waiting for them to fail.

But bottom overturning second top last week was celebrated far more for the Darren Moore factor.

City supporters, as much as anyone, enjoyed the unexpected victory in West Brom’s second outing under the caretaker charge of the man forever known as “Bruno” in these parts.

“Big Dave”, they know him as at the Hawthorns, but the affection they share for the 43-year-old is the same. And that goes with every other club that he has played for.

“West Brom are his club really, they’ve got a suite named after him,” said close pal Wayne Jacobs. “The song ‘There’s only one Big Dave’ was ringing out at Old Trafford.

“But fans love players like him. Every club wants to be known as a family club but to be that you have to invest your hearts.

“He does that. As players, you have to do the odd appearance somewhere but he invests in the whole community, he does visits, speaks to people and genuinely cares.

“That’s why people take him on board and appreciate who he is.

“He is an encourager who takes time and listens. He is an investor in people – the fans, the non-playing staff, everyone.”

Jacobs was at Old Trafford for the result that has got many at the club clamouring for the former centre half to get the job full-time.

Moore has already asked his good pal to help out as a “spare pair of eyes, ears and hands” in the short term on the training ground and match days.

It’s an unofficial role but one that highlights the huge respect between two of the defensive pillars of City’s rise to the Premier League.

Stuart McCall, another former Valley Parade team-mate, admitted he could barely watch the closing stages of the Manchester United win on TV.

“Watching the last 15 minutes I was so nervous for him,” he said. “I can’t imagine what he must have felt like.

“But he’s got a reaction and I’m not surprised. He’s always had good leadership quality and has a passion for coaching.

“He commands respect, not in a ‘shouty, bawling’ manner but the way he goes about things.

“He loves talking football whenever we meet up.

“He’s worked with a lot of young ones and would give a good overview, whether it was their players or somebody they’d come up against.

“Jakes would always give him a ring about this or that player and he’d help us out.

“Mooro tipped us off to watch the young West Brom boy Tyler Roberts the day that Walsall got him in on loan. I should have listened because he came on and changed the game!

“I don’t know his long-term plans and whether he’s ready to dip his toe in as a manager.

“Nobody can ever tell if you’re going to be a success but he seems to have the right characteristics and personality.

“The players will have seen how Darren goes about his business in the club and the respect he deserves.

“But he’s left his mark everywhere he’s been – I don’t know anybody who’s got a bad word to say about him.”

A nine-game losing run culminating in Alan Pardew’s sacking has left West Brom on the brink of relegation.

Four points from his first two in charge may come too late for Moore to pull off an escape even greater than their final-day effort 13 years ago.

But Jacobs believes he is making a very strong case for a full-time appointment – either at the Hawthorns or elsewhere. Barnsley were said to be interested before and he will have other admirers.

Jacobs added: “It doesn’t surprise me to see him linked (with other management jobs). He’s prepared for such a time as this.

“To win battles, they say you have to win hearts and minds.

“He certainly had everybody’s hearts because of how and who he is. I think the results will have started to win over people’s minds.

“All the pundits were talking about how well he set up the team at Man U and how energised they were.

“He was absolutely buzzing afterwards but also humbled, because that’s how he is. There is no show to him, no bravado.

“A lot of people say those results are for the fans and staff. But Thierry Henry said on television that you could see Darren actually means it.”