11th July 2003: Two steps forward,
but one step back, perhaps.
We're not even in to August and Albion have completed three signings,
or have they? It seems certain that Rob Hulse has joined from Crewe
and James O'Connor has followed from their Potteries neighbours Stoke,
but then I thought the Haas deal was tied up too.
The reasons behind the delay for the deal to buy the Swiss full back
are not clear, with some reports suggesting a failure to agree personal
terms, but the official Albion website claiming that he had "loose
ends" to tie up with Sunderland. It looks like it may be a breakdown
in communication between the clubs in that Sunderland may have assumed
that Bernt was not claiming any compensation for the rest of his contract
which would obviously have an impact on what personal terms he would
be prepared to agree. This is, of course, pure conjecture on my part.
If the Haas deal does fall through, Igor's retirement means that the
right back slot would definitely need strengthening with only James
Chambers in the current squad recognised in that position. Wallwork
played wing back once or twice last season, but if the reports that
Megson is looking to change to a 4-4-2 formation, it's a different
proposition.
We'll wait and see.
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