Why are we waiting?

Pre-season countdown is on!

Once again we Albion fans find ourselves waiting around for news and updates on new personnel.  It was difficult enough last season with even Steve Clarke complaining at the lack of transfer activity.  But this year makes last year seem like a positively hectic period.  Not only do we have no manager appointed well into June, but we have 11 players out and only one in.  Meanwhile the clock is ticking and pre-season planning is on hold as we wait to find out who the Albion board will select to lead us into the 2014-5 season.

So far a whole host of names have been put forward, only for the bookies odds to lengthen and finally for the front runners to drop out completely.  We've had Laudrup, Moyes, Lennon, Hughton, Jones and Round to name just a few - not to mention Hoddle and Jol!  Are we really so bereft of direction as a club that we have no clear strong favourite in mind?  What's for sure is without a sense of leadership the quality of our signings will not be strong.  Clarke stuck his head above the parapit last year and having publically stated his dissatisfaction with the club's transfer ambition got Anichebe (unfortunately, in my view) and Sessignon (a bit better) signed up but for heavily inflated fees.  However, who is going to join us until they know a bit about where the club is coming from and where it is heading?

So, the clock keeps ticking and no doubt a new manager will be announced soon.  But I have a strong suspicion that whoever is named will not satisfy the fans.  And that means that our future signings may also be expedient ones too - players on free transfers, the odd loan here and there and former big names but now looking to earn a few final paycheques before retiring...sound familiar? 

So here's to the summer and all that it holds for WBA...I really hope I am wrong and that the board comes up with the goods this year.  After the season gone, the fans really deserve more!