Chicken Kiev more like
TRANSFER speculation? Don't you just love it?
Sheffield United, then managed by Bryan Robson, wanting Jason Koumas was a particlar classic of recent years. As was Danny Dichio making a return to Albion during the Play Off losing campaign. I don't think so somehow.
And now the latest one.
Tony Mowbray, while being linked for the 42nd time with Simon Cox, was bemused to find himself supposedly chasing Dynamo Kiev striker Artem Milevskiy on Sunday.
So is he a target or isn't he?
I asked the question this morning. The reply: "Someone told me about this Kiev striker.
"I was at the Blackburn v Wigan game and an agent came up to me and said 'what's this about you and the lad from Kiev?'
"Apparently he's on the same level as Arshavin, so I said: 'well that's definitely us then - £15million. Yes we'll be having him'"
That'll be a no then.
Mowbray is definitely looking at strikers.
Luke Moore will probably be taking his designer limp onto pastures new (though finding a buyer may be a challenge). Jay Simpson sees his future at Arsenal. Yes, I know what you're thinking. And Marc-Antoine Fortune sees himself playing top flight football. Although Albion will be trying to convince him otherwise in the event of relegation. What an addition he would be in the Championship.
In the worst case scenario it could leave Roman Bednar - will his agent posture for a move? - a fit-again Ishmael Miller and rookie Chris Wood.
So it could be an interesting summer on the striker front. It could be the one area of the pitch most in need of surgery.
One other thing - these rumours about Morrison and Greening heading to Sunderland. A reporter from our sister newpaper in the north-east informed me on Saturday that it basically a rumour simply made up by a 'football news' website. No truth in it whatsoever.
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Chris Lepkowski - Mail man Chris Lepkowski’s view of what’s going on at West Bromwich Albion FC.
Thanks for clearing the Morrison and Greening situation up Chris.
Fortune would be an excellent foil for Ishmael Miller. One thing i can't understand Chris? Why was he not signed in the Summer? I remember Mowbray being quoted as saying he was looked at in the summer. The galling thing is that we have looked better and had more of a goal threat with him up front..and midfield runners. I genuinely think had Fortune been here from the start of the season..we would have picked up more points. The midfield is prepared to gamble..because they know Fortune can retain the ball in key areas. I'd like to know how many goals he has contributed..directly or indirectly. Think he would be a smashing permanent signing.
Luke Moore? A swap deal with Simon Cox? That really would indicate a fall froim grace of a footballer who was so highly rated at Villa. I was genuinely pleased when we got him from Villa. But for some reason..Mowbray doesn't fancy him. The irony is though..his two better performaces could have been his last two for the club. Is the central problem his attitude in training and reserve games. I know Mowbray will never openly tell us..i rememebr him saying "Luke has a lovely personality" after the Everton game. Not so lovely me thinks. What do you think Chris?
Hi Chris, do you think TM will actually convince Fortune to stay ? Hes one hell of a player. A couple of weeks ago you said Mensuguez wont be made perm but after his good cameo maybe a perm deal ? Good to see Shelton getting a new contract, perhaps our best 50k signing ever ?
Raj,
I think you only need to look back at Tony Mowbray's quotes two days before Luke Moore signed - he made it clear Moore wasn't a target. Two days later he signed.
As for Fortune, sometimes it's a case of right player, wrong time.
I remember Jason Koumas almost signing during MArch 2002. It got so close that he was taken around the Hawthorns and went through all the usual formalities as all new signings do. The deal broke down. He ended up signing 5 months later.
Dan
Indeed Menseguez has very much played himself into favour. You can read more about him and his future on birminghammail.net tomorrow (Wednesday).
I agree about Shelton - it seems the ability has always been there, but sometimes you need to get into the minds of players. It's interesting how many players I speak to who all comment on Mowbray's man-management and how he has the knack of making them feel good about themselves. Dean Kiely expressed this view recently - given that he worked for Curbishley and Redknapp, both very much players' managers, then that's some statement to make.
Thanks for clearing it up Chris. TBH I'm looking forward to the new season, hopefully we will get rid of many players like Moore, Hoff, Pele, Beatts ETC. I would actually love if we signed Fortune on a perm deal, I really rate him and he could be perfect for big Ish! I've heard Bednar might be on his way as well, any truth ? I hope not as I'm one of his biggest fans and we saw last year what he can do in that div. People are saying Cox will be a Billy Sharpe/Andy Keogh type of player who won't cut it but look at Hughes and super Bob, both was lower league players and one turned into a legend and the other turned into a fans favourite. Tony Mowbrays barmy army we hate Jeremy Peace!
Thanks for clearing that up Chris. Looks likely Moore will be on his way this Summer. Tony Mowbrays Blue And White Army! IMWT!
Chris I seen on a recent web chat that you said Luke Moore was the clubs highest earner, if thats upwards of £20,000 a week wouldn't it be almost impossible to offload him to a championship club with those wage demands.(No Premiership club would want him) Do we have another potential John Hartson situation on our hands?
Luke,
Thanks for message.
It certainly makes it harder but not impossible. Sheffield United paid James Beattie twice that before he left for Stoke. Likewise, Blues have paid good money over the years at that level.
Chris
Rob Styles is ref for the Spurs game, now all hope is lost