Rafael Benitez's dealings with the Romanian press won't have come as a surprise to Gabriel Tamas.

The Liverpool boss was quizzed about his weight during a bizarre press conference before his side's Europa League clash against Unirea Urziceni.

Tamas will sympathise. You may recall a series of stories about the Romanian's off-field activities when Albion were in the process of trying to recruit the centre-half.

Stories about late-night drinking, booze-fueled karaoke sessions (where the then Dinamo Bucharest loanee allegedly belted out rude songs about Steaua Bucharest's president) and other such sorry tales.

Not true in the slightest, claimed Tamas. And a conversation with one of Tamas' representatives last week backed this up. He recounted an occasion where he and Tamas were eating in a restaurant in Romania. A call came through from a journalist demanding money. And if Tamas didn't comply? Then a story would be printed later that week which would cast him in a bad light.

Tamas declined to respond to the blackmail threat and continued the meal with his representative. A few days later...you've guessed it. A story about Tamas being involved in another drunken episode. All made up. And, by all accounts, this wasn't an isolated incident. Late night calls or knocks on the door from journalists demanding cash are common place for the higher-profile Romanian players.

It's no wonder Tamas described the Romanian media as 'my friends'...

IT had to happen at some point. An Albion defeat, away from home.

When was the last time a Baggies fan could reflect on nearly five months of defeat-free football away from The Hawthorns? During the war most probably. And even that I'm not sure about.

Albion were poor on Sunday, make no mistake. Fatigue shouldn't be an excuse but let's use it as a half-excuse. A lot of games caught up, several of those seemingly played on the Baseball Ground pitch, circa 1972. Injuries have crept in.

Too many - Mattock, Slory, Nouble, Koren notably - underperformed but let's give credit to Bristol City. They performed well and stopped Albion from functioning. They hit form as Albion's dipped.

Which is why there must be no hysteria.

Furthermore, James Morrison should be back on the bench against Reading, Giles Barnes isn't far away, nor is Ishmael Miller.

Ben Watson has arrived - Albion were lucky to get him, three other clubs pitched in for him and he almost never came when Wigan picked up an injury elsewhere late last week. A striker may still arrive on loan if Miller or anyone else struggles for fitness during the coming weeks.

Watson is Championship savvy. Exactly what the Baggies need. It was all a bit naive at times on Sunday. Watson likes tackling - he's got spirit and experience. He should do well.

Morrison's return is also crucial. His injury did not involve tendons, cruciates, ligaments, muscular problems or anything which may cause lag during the coming weeks.

The only thing which may reign him in at times is a lack of overall fitness.

And then there's Barnes. He's survived three major injuries and, after two half-games for the stiffs, is looking fitter and more confident.

Don't be surprised if Newcastle and Forest start looking enviously at the players RDM has at his disposal.

They should enjoy bossing the division right now. Who's to say it will last?

*THIS week's Baggies View has been postponed due to technical issues. Will be back next Wednesday lunchtime.

So, this Jason Koumas business?

Which side are you on?

Albion are looking at the Welshman. Let's make it clear in the first instance that he is only one of a few players on that list. He might not even sign.

But, clearly his name will create debate.

This, remember, is a man who could be a genius when he wanted to be. Which was half the problem. Because as often as he ran rings around five Nottingham Forest players, he'd just as easily spend most of the first-half of a game at Anfield tying and re-tying his laces.

Many remember his free-kicks, his technique on the ball, his ability to leave defenders spinning as he slalomed around them. Your jaw would be on the floor. He got fans out of seats.

But there was the other bits. The bits which Gary Megson, Bryan Robson and even the most liberal Tony Mowbray couldn't grasp.

Megson couldn't leave out the only creative player he had. He moaned about Koumas. But, in the main, he left him to it - despite holding his head in his hands whenever one of Koumas' dribbles didn't quite work.

Bryan Robson - not a manager who fell out too easily with players (although Rob Earnshaw may disagree) - upset Koumas to such a degree that the Welshman went on strike.

Both Robson and Megson wanted him to do more 'work'. Both were midfielders - so they had some idea.

Tony Mowbray simply left him to it, once describing him as a 'curio' talent. A bit like the actual word he used to describe him, he clearly felt Koumas the footballer was somewhat incomplete. He never did find out what made Koumas tick.

And then there was Steve Bruce and, now, Roberto Martinez. His only other saviour might have been Chris Hutchings, the man who took him to Wigan. But unless Jeff Bonser wins the Euromillions then only the Sunday market will get Koumas anywhere near the Bescot.

Cardiff? Is that a wind-up?

So what next?

Albion have other targets. The debate about Koumas may prove futile.

One thing seems clear. He's seemingly finished at Wigan, he's out of contract this summer and he could do with a bit of window dressing. He's a father of three, I'm told, so maturity might have calmed down his off-field activities.

Imagine a rampaging Koumas, linking up with those Albion midfielders...

Taking away Koumas' obvious character flaws and his inability to defend, he's not a bad option after all. And he might just get Albion promoted.

If you're in doubt, ask yourself who else might be available on loan? And, more pertinently, how you'd feel if he joined Forest or Newcastle on loan?

If he does join Albion, just don't expect him to track back. And, for goodness sake, somebody give him boots fastened with Velcro.

*ALBION live web chat. Friday February 12, 1-2pm. www.birminghammail.net/live

SO what have we learned this week?

- Victor Moses. Was close last Friday but once Wigan came in Albion's chances went. And it was that close. The Baggies' diligence and proactive dialogue with Palace and agent Tony Finnegan helped matters. The administrators would have had their heads turned by Albion's offer but as soon as a Premier League club emerged on Friday evening then it was over.

- Giles Barnes. It says a lot about the fickle nature of football that Barnes' free transfer to Albion barely registered. Three years ago he was the next big thing. Victor Moses, you have been warned. Injuries can reduce a player's status in a flash. Good luck to Giles, in the meantime. If he can get back to anywhere near the player he was then Albion's spot of business will be inspired.

- Andwele Slory likes to be called 'Andy'. Thank goodness. Putting him on for a half hour spell at Blackpool was a brave decision by Roberto Di Matteo. The pitch was awful - frozen in parts, muddy elsewhere... Yet the lad excelled. He went close with his first touch of the ball, seeing a long range shot saved, before a low shot just flashed wide when he was probably caught between a pass and a strike on goal. He's some way from full fitness though.

- Dart boards. We were waiting to interview Andwele Slory in the training ground classroom when Scott Carson burst in with one of the club's backroom staff. Clearly he was panicked. Luckily he found it. Scott 'The Dentist' Carson has introduced a dartboard to the club, for their away days. And, as captain, naturally he's the best. Joe 'Cake Slice' Mattock is reasonable and, according to Chris Brunt, the less said about Graham 'Loudmouth' Dorrans the better. Me thinks Brunty is just jealous as he's no longer on spot-kick duties. And, whatever you do, keep Jonas away from the oche.

- the M55/M6. Eleven different set of roadworks between Blackpool and just north of Birmingham. A two-hour journey becomes a three-hour one. Just once did I spot workmen actually doing any work.

- Albion are stopping up in Lancashire and flying down to the south-west coast ahead of their game at Plymouth. Let's hope they have more joy than they did when they were due to fly back from Newcastle a few Mondays ago. Thick fog forced the cancellation of their flight from Tyneside, forcing Albion players to travel back to Birmingham Airport. No problem there - at least there wouldn't be had it not been for the fact that the fog meant a slower-than-usual trek back to the Midlands, with the bus driver running out of 'time' and being forced to pull over when his allocated driving period was up. Not the journey Di Matteo had in mind. Let's hope the trip down to the south-west has fewer dramas.