A signing...and it's not even January 31

So Jay Simpson has told everyone he's joining Albion.

Arsenal weren't too impressed to hear it announced on national radio this tea-time - but the signing, which Albion hope to officially announce next week, is good news.

It'll be for a season and Albion may try and seek a more long-term, permanent arrangement, although the player may not be too keen to cut all ties at Arsenal.

I don't know much about Simpson but Albion have been looking at him for a while, since Carlos Vela was fast-tracked into Arsenal's first-team and, as a result, out of Albion's range. I recently spoke to an ex-player, now an agent, not so long back who watched him against Wigan in the League Cup and saw a fair bit of him at junior level, as well as at Millwall. He is convinced Simpson can be the real deal.

He can play up centrally or on the wing and, we're told, has immense pace and wil give Albion some much needed energy.

Sound familiar? Okay, so he's not a midfielder like Kieran Richardson but if he can give Albion that injection of raw pace and impetus then he'll be a useful addition.

Elsewhere, Albion still have one more domestic loan to use up. Overseas, Robert Lewandowski is looking more off than on, likewise Oscar Trejo. Neither Lech Poznan or Mallorca seem too keen to do business at the moment.

Jay Simpson's arrival in early January is exactly what Albion need. Like Tony Mowbray said, it was up to Luke Moore, Roman Bednar and Craig Beattie to keep any new strikers out.

It can only be good for competition.

One final thing....

Merry Christmas to all of you.