8th August 2004: Seven additions
have so far been made to the squad over the summer and it is starting
to take shape. So much so, in fact, that when I viewed the pundits'
predictions in a couple of the Sunday papers today, some of them were
suggesting that Albion might even stay up!
It's never wise to take pre-season friendlies as an indicator of what
will happen when the season starts - there is normally some element
of experimentation both in terms of team selection and formation,
and when so many new players have come in, there is that lack of understanding
that will only come as the team settles down and the players get used
to one another. Having said that, from the little I could glean from
watching the Albion World highlights of the first five friendlies,
Scimeca has impressed, Koumas has looked good and James O'Connor appears
to be much improved from his performances from much of last season.
Having kept three clean sheets in Denmark, the slightly alarming thing
I noticed was the ease in which Bristol City in particular carved
through the Albion defence on several occasions.
As for the latest squad improvements, Greening and Purse are both
good solid players with plenty of experience at Premiership level,
Gera is very much an unknown quantity, but it is Kanu that obviously
catches the eye. Megson and Peace have done well to secure his signature,
and I assume that the three-year deal is one that will be within the
club's means should the worst happen and we return to the Coca Cola
Championship. Not only will the former African Footballer of the Year
add some much needed flair and experience to the forward line, it
is clear that his reputation and stature in the game should attract
other players to the club. Indeed, the Ivory Coast striker, Dindane,
has already expressed a desire to play with Kanu, although Anderlecht's
desire to keep hold of their top scorer continues to scupper that
deal for the time being.
In short, the pre-season has been much more encouraging than the one
we had to endure two years ago, and you have to be more confident
of being able to compete this time around. I do believe, however,
that we are a few players short of where we need to be - another striker
being the obvious priority. Should Gregan decide to turn to sheep
farming in Cardiff, another midfielder would be needed, and the other
position I see as weak is that of right back. Haas proved to be lacking
at times last season, and while Purse and Scimeca can both play there,
another specialist would be a welcome addition to the squad.
There remain three weeks between now and the closure of the transfer
window, so I wait in anticipation for the good work to continue. And
for the time being, I'm inclined to dismiss talk of a rift between
Megson and Peace as purely that, journalists looking for a story.
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