Contract boost for Big Ish
Albion have made a real statement by offering a new five year deal to Ishmael Miller.
Not only does it show an unequivocal confidence in Miller's ability to recover from a major injury, but will come as a huge personal lift to the 22-year-old as he continues his comeback.
Roberto Di Matteo continually expresses his excitement at the prospect of Miller's eventual return from injury.
And the noises coming from Albion, and Miller, is that he seems more satisfied and comfortable with his current rehabilitation than he ever was with his previous recovery before his setback during pre-season, which was a shattering blow to him and the club.
It's unlikely that Miller will be back until well into the second-half of this season and, in all honesty, we may not see the best of him until 2010-11.
But if he's anything like the player who was making significant progress in the Premier League, then Albion will have a major force on their hands for some time yet.
PS. Alan Irvine - was he offered the job, or wasn't he? He says he rejected it, Albion insist it wasn't offered to him in the first place. Get the feeling we'll never know the truth?
Older/Newer
3 Comments
Leave a comment
Profile
Chris Lepkowski - Mail man Chris Lepkowski’s view of what’s going on at West Bromwich Albion FC.
Re. Alan Irvine - was he or wasn't he offered the WBA job? I suspect that he was - but didn't like the job title 'Head Coach' - nor his subservience to a 'Director of Football'.
It wouldn't appeal to me either - the latter can hide away in the shadows and manipulate transfers etc. whilst all the flak for failure falls on the Coach's shoulders.
Chris,
During the 5Live commentary on the Preston game, - Pat Murphy commented (mischeviously) that things were not running smoothly within the Club, and consequently would likely hinder any promotion attempt this year.
As you attend the same meetings as Pat, I wondered if you could commenton this rumour?
Hi David,
I like Pat and have a lot of time for him - but I didn't hear his remarks, so I can't really comment about those.
With Albion out of the Premier League, Pat's not attended many, if any, games or press conferences this season so he must be reacting to hearsay or someone else's gossip. Apart from the usual issues you get in and around a club - ie a player wishing he could play more games - I've certianly not come across any problems during the recent weeks.
If there were serious issues then any number of people I generally chat to wouldn't be shy in informing me.
For a club with alleged problems, second place is certainly not a bad return....
Chris