Lewis Cox on Carlos Corberan links to Southampton job
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00:00Baggies fans, I'm at Albion's training ground where it's a bit wet and I'm getting wet and as I've just started this, the rain has started again, so I'll try and be brief today.
00:10I've been at the Bristol City press conference. Where are we now? Thursday afternoon, head of Sunday's home game at the Hawthorns, as I say, against Bristol City.
00:20Only one thing top of the agenda and top of the item today. Obviously, it was the ongoing speculation linking the Albion head coach with Southampton and the vacant role at St Mary's after Russell Martin's sacking.
00:34Cor Brann answered honestly, as honest as he could. As it stands, he put all of his attention and focus onto the game on Sunday.
00:45Now, I'm a bit wary that those that have seen a video of Cor Brann being asked about the Wolves' job a couple of weeks ago, the head coach said a little bit similar and the take from that was that,
00:58oh, he hasn't dismissed it, he's not acknowledging it and things like that. Well, he was extra wary today and you can read his quotes that will go online as well as this video.
01:08He was using the words, he was mostly so worried and concerned about disrespecting Albion fans is the bottom line of it.
01:19He didn't want to seem disrespectful to people of the club, the club, by even paying acknowledgement to things like this, this ongoing speculation that is fairly constant about him of late.
01:31In the last month, six weeks alone, we've had Leicester Wolves, now this. Now, I know we've reported this week and places elsewhere have as well that Southampton have a long-term admiration liking of Cor Brann.
01:43I've said that over the months this has stuck out and I've heard one or two bits of something that could become a possibility further down the line as and when the previous manager was relieved of his duties and here we are.
01:56But what we can bring you as well as the Cor Brann quotes is the news that there has been nothing official, no approach, nothing formal from Southampton, from St Mary's.
02:05So that's where it is as of now, as of three o'clock Thursday afternoon.
02:10As I say now, obviously, there's a few days before the Bristol City game.
02:13But yeah, Cor Brann, he's got used to this now. We've had weeks, if not months now.
02:19And going back, to be honest, to parts of last season where he asked about speculation and it's tough on him because to a point you can't control what's written and what's coming at you.
02:28It's hard to have to keep addressing it and he came across there like he was a little bit worried and tentative that whatever he's saying actually will get read in certain ways, maybe twisted by others in certain ways.
02:40It's his second language as well, we should remember, and he doesn't want that.
02:43He doesn't want in any way to come across disrespectful to the supporters here who he's obviously worked for for more than two years and has a really strong relationship for.
02:52We know Southampton haven't been in officially as of yet and Cor Brann just didn't want to come across with what he said in response to it in the wrong way to supporters.
03:06So it was very respectful in his answer and as I say, you can read it in full and make your minds up.
03:11But he didn't obviously say, you never say never, nothing is ever going to happen and he can't say that, can he?
03:21He doesn't know what would happen if a club came in a few hours later tomorrow, anything like that.
03:27But he did answer it and as I say, you can read what he had to say but we do know there's been no approach as of yet and it remains to be seen what happens in the coming days.
03:36On to the Bristol City game against the mid-table Robins on Sunday afternoon, a couple of quick bits.
03:41No Callum Styles left back for Albion, he'll be out for the best part of a week with the hamstring little knock he picked up at Watford he came off at half-time.
03:48That was tactical and slightly physical but a blow not to have Styles.
03:52And because of the period we're in, the Christmas period, that'll be Bristol City Sunday, that'll be Boxing Day at Derby and then the following Sunday Sheffield United away which I suppose hopefully he'll be fighting for.
04:04So he's out. Positive news on Grady Diangana, the weekly or twice-weekly Diangana update is positive, he's trained all week and Albion should be in contention but I'm aware I've said that before.
04:17As well as Styles, there is one other unnamed out, Corbyn wouldn't spill who that was but one other may not feature.
04:24And Paddy Mane has been back in training as well this week so he could come in as a defensive option for the bench or something like that.
04:30So a lot to write up from all of that as I go and get the laptop out.
04:34So please read it and make your minds up but beyond that we'll be at the Hawthorns on Sunday, Johnny and I.
04:41So follow all the build-up, all the coverage obviously and we'll see what goes on down on the south coast at St Mary's.
04:48Some noise coming from all over the globe really, I saw a Spanish report as I was heading in here an hour or so ago saying he'd been made favourite but not heard that, not heard of any official interest so we'll see.
04:59But as always, stay tuned.