30th August 2004: The summer long
search for a proven goalscorer appears finally to be at at end as
Albion have announced he capture of Welsh international Robert Earnshaw
from Cardiff City for another club record fee of £3 million. "Earnie"
has a very impressive goalscoring record scoring 107 goals in 167
starts for the Bluebirds and 7 goals in 13 appearances for Wales,
although three of those were against Scotland.
He is unproven in Premiership football so it will be seen as a gamble
for Megson, but if it pays off as well as his last gamble on an unproven
Welsh international, we'll all be very pleased. Many managers looked
at Koumas, but it was Lord Gary that took the chance. Earnshaw is
not as much of a risk because he has proved himself in a division
higher than JK and is already an established international.
For some reason, Dindane appeared the more attractive signing - he
would've cost more, plays in the top league in Belgium and has an
equally impressive goalscoring record. But, for us fans at least,
he is more of an unknown quantity and the quality of the Belgian league
is no where near that of the Premiership. I've seen Earnshaw play
on a number of occasions and his goalscoring ability is unquestioned
- having done it against international defenders, there's no reason
why he shouldn't repeat it in the Premiership. He could prove to be
the perfect foil for Kanu.
And with Dindane apparently having walked out on Anderlecht, is that
deal dead. The club may not have the funds for both, and they could
not afford to wait any longer with the transfer window closing tomorrow,
but you never know - another good striker would not go amiss.
There are reports from Japan that Junichi Inamoto will be an Albion
player by tomorrow evening. I didn't see a great deal of him when
he was at Fulham, but he's got Premiership experience and would certainly
improve the squad.
Finally, a word about Bobby Robson. Although I'm not old enough to
remember his association with West Bromwich Albion, I always feel
proud that he was connected with us, and his time as England manager
endeared him to most football fans. It is a very sad day if it proves
to be the end of his direct involvement in football, although it's
probably the right decision for Newcastle. He has done well for them,
but I think he should've resigned in the summer.
And Barclays aren't going to be too happy having spent a fortune on
that advert!!
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