6th November 2004: Despite the
absence of a manager, business at the club continues and yesterday,
a fee was agreed with Preston North End for Scott Dobie. The base
price is £500,000 rising to £750,000 in the unlikely event that Preston
are promoted, and there is a 15% sell-on clause.
Dobie was a very good buy for the Baggies at £100,000 from Carlisle
and scored goals in our first promotion season when all others around
him were struggling with either form or injury. Although he has featured
in the Premiership this season, scoring one goal at Everton, and was
second highest scorer in our first season back in the top flight,
it is fair to say that he is not of the required quality at this level
but can "do a job" in the division below.
Although Scott hasn't made up his mind to go yet, it should be encouraging
news for Rob Hulse, at least in the short term. Rob seemed to be behind
Dobie in the pecking order (although a new manager may obviously have
changed this), and I, for one, would like to see him at least on the
bench. One or two Championship clubs have been sniffing around for
Hulse, and the departure of Dobie (assuming it is completed) should
mean that he will be going nowhere in the short term. Should the Baggies
buy another striker in January, however, things would change again.
As for Scottie, he's always worked hard and he's scored some important
goals for the Baggies. I wish him well, but I don't see him as a big
loss to the squad.
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