Gary Megson - remember him?

Let's be honest, a game against a Gary Megson side was the last thing Albion needed this weekend.

That is a compliment to the way he manages and will set up his Bolton team.

But, setting aside the respective form of the two teams, it will be interesting to see what reception the former Albion boss Gary Megson gets from the visitors - and I don't mean from the opposition directors.

Megson was once described by a colleague as the Marmite of football managers.

Personally, I don't necessarily subscribe to that.

His achievements, certainly in his opening four years at the club, will never be diminished. Regardless of his fall-out during the final few months, Baggies fans would undoubtedly be looking at a completely different West Bromwich Albion had it not been for his two promotions.

Those will never be taken away from his CV. He was the right man for the Albion job, at precisely the right time. The main criticisms would be that he was far too political and paranoid of those around him, often when he had no reason to be. Had he reigned that in then he might have got a top job long before he did.

I had my moments with Gary - there was a period of about six weeks when he didn't speak to me, over a completely trivial matter - but he could also be engaging and intelligent company. And far wittier than people gave him credit for. He told one anecdote about a former manager of his who was so angry and enraged following the team's first-half performance that he cut short the 'formalities' during his half-time toilet visit. The furious gaffer emerged from the cubicle to berate the players, only to be met with a wall of sniggering and chuckling from Megson and co - the poor manager not realising that a wet patch was rapidly spreading across the front of his suit trousers...

Imagine what Megson the manager would have made of that?

The point is that Megson isn't always the 'angry' man that many associate him to be.

Mind you, I can imagine the 2820 Albion fans travelling to Reebok this weekend will be hoping he's more than a little angry come 5pm.

In the meantime, I'd be interested to know your thoughts on Megson and this weekend's game...

You can read what Jonathan Greening thinks of his former boss in tomorrow's Birmingham Mail.

On another note, Albion have been linked with Derek Boateng, with one Israeli source even claiming he would be signing today (Wednesday). Not according to what I've heard. He was watched, some time ago, but that's as far as Albion's interest has gone.

Even so, there should be at least two or three new faces arriving before next Monday night's deadline.