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Buying
From Our Premiership Rivals - West Bromwich Albion |
19th June 2005
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West Bromwich Albion
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Conclusion?
So Graeme Souness wants to bring in players who have Premiership experience
or who can perform in the League, then? Well lets take a look at our
Premiership rivals and see who is available, who could be available
and who we could potentially attract.
Buying from West Bromwich Albion?
When Newcastle drew 0-0 with West Brom at the Hawthorns last season
I was convinced the Midlanders were going to get relegated. A few
months later however and here I am writing about them as a Premiership
club. A fantastic achievement from Bryan Robson and his team.
Since arriving at Albion he has slowly but surely built a compact
side high on spirit, energy and work ethic, with a pinch of flair.
Robbo as he proved at Middlesbrough know's how to build a team to
stay up and I suspect he will build on his success and maintain West
Brom as a Premiership side in the coming years.
Now, a look at their squad.
A few years back Neil Clement was considered a top
prospect and had been linked to Newcastle, however he hasn't quite
lived up to his early billing and although we need a left-back, he
hasn't stood out as anything special.
One player who has stood out and who has many admirers on the forum
it would seem is Zoltan Gera, West Brom's £1.5m
Hungarian international.
The midfielder, a Captain of his country, is a bit of an alrounder;
big, strong, and good on the ball. He scored 6 goals in 31 games for
the Baggies last season and reminds me somewhat of Brett Emerton but
more consistent. He's also very good with crossing and although I
couldn't see him wanting to move nor the club willing to let him go,
he could make a decent squad player.
Moving on and rounding up this series, Welsh striker Robert
Earnshaw has always interested me and from West Brom's squad,
he is the one player I would actually like to see at Newcastle - I
rate him and have done since he first burst onto the scene at Cardiff.
He's lightening quick, bubbly but most of all he's a finisher with
a tremendous eye for goals and great positional sense for a forward.
He will always score goals at the highest level because of his movement.
Indeed he has 14 goals in just 20 starts for the Baggies since they
made him their record signing in a £3m move back in August 2004.
In fact, his overall record is stunning. For Cardiff he bagged 107
goals in just 167 starts and in 15 internationals for Wales he has
8 goals to his name. You would be hard pressed to find a better goals
to game ratio at any level.
His first touch is very poor and he is very raw but at 23 he has time
to improve and if reports are to be believed, West Brom would happy
to get their money back for him. At that price, with his age and record,
he would be a far better option than the likes of Andy Johnson and
Robbie Keane, far better in my opinion.
Next up, a round-up of our series with a concluding look back at potential
targets and possibilities.
Write In... Who would you like Newcastle to sign
in the Summer? Write in with your suggestions, reasons for your choices
and what these players would bring to the squad and we will publish
your thoughts on these very pages. Send in your suggestions using
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