31st January 2005: It may prove
to be too little too late, but at least the transfer window dealings
have been more successful than they were two years ago. Then, we had
to be content with one loan signing of a complete nobody, whereas
this January we have managed to sign a vastly experienced Premiership
striker, a young Manchester United starlet on loan plus one of the
hottest young talents from the Coca Cola Football League.
Kevin Campbell has already had an impact on the side and will, I believe,
be of huge benefit to Robert Earnshaw as well as the team in general.
Kieran Richardson has put in a number of impressive performances in
Manchester United's "second first team", and will had some youthful
energy and enthusiasm to the midfield. He is apparently thrilled to
be working under a United legend, although Pop has warned him that
he will have to work hard to earn a place in the team. He is naturally
a left winger, a position that Jonathan Greening seems to have made
his own for the time being.
Perhaps the most exciting signing is that of Richard Chaplow. After
much negotiation, £1.5 million looks like good business for a highly
regarded young player. I haven't seen a huge amount of the 19-year-old,
but the general consensus amongst the football commentators is that
he had been playing extremely well and is an excellent prospect. Again,
he is unlikely to break straight into the first team, but he will
provide an excellent option on the bench initially to inject energy
into the side and, if he impresses, he could well win a starting place
before too long.
Both Richardson and Chaplow must raise question marks over the future
of Jason Koumas at the Hawthorns. He hasn't made so much as the bench
in Robson's last three squads, and Chaplow may appear to offer a little
more steel, as well as creativity, although Koumas obviously has a
huge advantage in terms of experience. Personally, I'd like to see
JK involved a little more as, when on form, he is a match winner.
One thing that does improve the Welshman's chances is the news that
Cosmin Contra is to return to Atletico Madrid. Having impressed in
his first league appearance in Robson's first game in charge, Contra
has slowly slipped down the pecking order. He was injured for a while
and, although he made the bench against Man City, he does need first
team football which Robson is unable to guarantee at the Hawthorns.
It is a shame as I think Contra could've made a big impact had he
not been injured, and then sent off. Personally, I wish him well -
he deserves a break.
But after all the rumours of Italian-based players on their way to
the Hawthorns, all three signings have come from English clubs - maybe
Robbo needs to brush up on his Italian!
In other news today, Neil Clement has signed an extension to his contract.
Following some excellent performances of late in central defence,
Clem has committed to the Hawthorns for a further five and a half
years. Clem may be finally getting close to realising the potential
we saw a few years ago - if that continues, the contract extension
will be good news for the Baggies.
Finally, should Albion overcome Spurs at White Hart Lane on 12th February,
their opponents in the fifth round will be Gary Megson's Nottingham
Forest - fate, perhaps.
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