Albion break the 10 million pound mark!

Brown Ideye: 10 million man & new Albion no.9

So, step forward Albion's new number nine and Nigerian hitman Brown Ideye - 10 million quids' worth of raw power and goal threat by most accounts.

His currrent scoring record, nationality and even his agent draw strong parallels with that Peter Odemwingie (who remarkably cost us only 2.5 million).   With 33 goals in 74 games Ideye averages a goal every 2.24 games.

Albion claim he was at the top of their A-list of targets and is not a response to losing out on Rivere.  From youtube clips he looks pacy, strong, excellent in the air and a strong finisher.  He will definitely be an exciting addition and can hopefully link up well with our midfield - especially Sessignon who has some similar attributes.

At last Jeremy Peace has finally loosened the purse strings to keep us alongside the likes of Swansea (Bony cost 12 million) and Norwich (Ricky Van Wolfwinkel cost 8.5) - and although money does not guarantee success it at least shows he has some ambition.

Also landed on loan is the Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom - an up and coming player who Brendan Rogers seems to rate highly.  Unfortunately, one more player lost - 12 in total since last year now - is George Thorn who has finally been bought by Derby County for an undisclosed fee.  But with add-ons a figure in the region of 2 million pounds is believed to have been negotiated.  Clearly a good bit of business for a young and untested player at the highest level - but it leaves Albion still at minus 7 in regards to filling the squad gaps.

With pre-season training now underway it seems once again that Albion are leaving things a bit late.  However, the arrival of Ideye should keep players and fans satisfied for now and convinced the club are moving in the right direction. 

But we should expect at least one more big signing to come - possibly two.  Boing Boing!!

Lack of big transfers so far....

Prejuce Nakoulma - new signing?

We all know Albion are in a bit of mess - 11 players down from last year and only 2 in so far.  Plenty of time still, but Joleon Lescott aside, there are a number of names being linked with Albion that further suggest the club's lack of ambition.  The name Prejuce Nakoulma has cropped up - a frontman playing in Poland who has a reputation as a pacy winger, albeit an average scoring record.  Once again, Albion are looking towards the untested and untried over established quality.  We have also been looking at Championship names, such as Aaron Cresswell (now signed by West Ham) and the Royal's winger Mclearly.

Now the World Cup is almost done we will hopefully see a lot more activity in the transfer market.  Maybe some of the tournament's lesser stars may become targets for us.  But no one is expecting too much.

One signing I hope goes through is the Norwich defender Martin Olson from Norwich.  He has always looked comfortable on the ball and solid in defence when I have seen him.  He could also form a good partnership with his international teammate Jonas.

Victor Moses was another name thrown out...hard to see us getting him but an exciting attacker is something the club desperately needs because last year only Sessignon carried attacking threat at times and a willingness to go past people.

Finally, Micah Richards is someone who if Lescott has his way could become a baggie.  I will believe it when I see it and anyway, it is hard to know how good Richards is as a player when he spends so much time on the bench or reserves.  But his name alone would do a lot to entice fans to call up Albion's season ticket hotline.

So, we wait to find out what Alan Irvine's much lauded reputation and contacts in the game will bring in.  I think all fans will be judging our season's potential and that of Irvine on the basis of the club's signings. If the board don't back Irvine, as they have not backed a few of our managers, then we could be in for a fairly torrid time.