11th July 2005: With four weeks
still to go before the start of the season, and six before the closure
of the transfer window, Bryan Robson has already concluded three pieces
of business in the transfer market (four if you count the exit of
Rob Hulse) and all seem to offer a positive impact for the squad.
June is always a quiet month in the market and it has been especially
quiet this year, so I remained unconcerned by the lack of activity.
Once July started, the players started rolling in with the completion
of three acquisitions, all of which had been widely expected.
The only money spent so far has been on Darren Carter, a £1.5 million
acquisition from Birmingham City. The 21-year-old midfielder became
a hero for Blues fans when he scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out
that saw them promoted to the Premiership three years ago. He never
really fully established himself in the first team at St Andrew's
making just five starts in the first two Premiership seasons but,
after a period on loan at Sunderland early last season, he looked
to have forced his way back into the side as he made 14 starts in
the run-in. But it was obviously not enough for Steve Bruce and he
was prepared to let the former England U20 international go.
That should prove to be good news for Albion as he looks to be a very
good addition to the squad. He is a hard-working box-to-box midfielder
who can also score goals having notched five last season. At only
21, he could have a long future at the Hawthorns and he will certainly
benefit hugely from working with Bryan Robson, who was a player very
much in the same mould.
With Robson also hoping that Kieran Richardson will return for another
year, it leaves the midfield looking very strong. Assuming Richardson
does return, there is a good combination of youth and experience with
Chaplow, Carter, Richardson, Greening, Johnson, Gera, Wallwork and
Inamoto all vying for a starting place. And there is always Jason
Koumas in the wings should he decide to change his attitude and win
back the manager's respect.
The loan signing of Chris Kirkland, which should be finalised next
week once the England international has passed his 15-day trial, represents
another good piece of business. The Liverpool goalkeeper has been
plagued by injury since his £6 million move from Coventry in 2001
but managed 14 starts for the European Champions last season and looks
to have hopefully put his problems behind him. Nonetheless, Rafa Benitez
has Jerzy Dudek, Scott Carson and new signing Jose Reina which could
see Kirkland depart Anfield permanently and a successful season at
the Hawthorns may tempt him to stay. What that means for the future
of Russell Hoult, I'm not sure. Robson has said that he remains in
his plans, but I felt that he didn't offer the same commanding presence
last season and he'll need to regain his form of a few years ago to
keep the number one shirt as his own. And with the news that Robson
is also on the trail of young Stockport stopper James Spencer, the
Albion future of Old Trafford hero, Tomasz Kuszczak, could also be
called into question
If anyone was doubting the ability of Bryan Robson to attract players,
they need only look at Steve Watson. With a new one year contract
and the possibility of Champions League football on the table at Everton,
the big Geordie has opted to join Robson at the Hawthorns. The longer
contract will have obviously had some effect, but he's obviously seen
enough in West Bromwich to convince him that it is the place to be.
He brings a wealth of experience as well as the ability to play in
a number of positions and, although his speed across the grass may
not be what it was, I'm sure he'll prove to be a valuable member of
the squad.
Robson has stated that he's still on the lookout for another defender,
with Gera's Hungarian teammate Szabolcs Huszti once again being linked
with the Hawthorns, but it is a new striker which could prove to be
the key signing. With a net outlay of less than half a million so
far this summer, Robson has plenty of cash in the bank, but with a
string of Premiership clubs looking for goalscorers, it is not proving
easy. It is likely that Robson will look to unearth a gem from Europe
as available strikers in England are few and far between, not to mention
very expensive, and I believe that he will. It may not happen quickly,
but I expect to see a striker arrive before the end of August.
It's so far so good as far as transfers are concerned, and if Richardson
and that elusive striker can be added to the squad, Albion will have
the tools to push for a mid-table finish.
|
