As you might have heard, Albion have a rather nasty-looking date in west London on August 14.

Yesterday they played a friendly at Doncaster with one fit striker - Ishmael Miller.

The rest were injured or not fully fit.

Part of Roberto Di Matteo's press conference might as well have been a playback of the post-match presser following the game which clinched promotion.

He needs new strikers. He needed them a while ago.

We know the way Roberto Di Matteo wants to play - one up front, with a midfield pushing on. Realistically Bednar is probably the only one who can perform this role adequately.

Miller performs arguably better in a two-man strike-force. The rest are either unsuitable for the role, too young and inexperienced, or way off the head coach's radar.

So where the others?

In some cases those players don't wish to join, get better offers elsewhere or aren't being released by their clubs.

The club cannot be blamed for this in many respects.

Dan Ashworth, as sporting and technical director, has been probably the busiest man at the club since the end of last season.

If his nickname isn't 'Suitcase' then it should be - for Ashworth has been out and about cherry-picking suitable candidates across the UK, Europe and beyond. He doesn't seem to do days off. His input into the scouting network and player recruitment has been considerable and impressive.

So why the delay in signings?

Firstly, we know that some clubs are reluctant to allow players to leave before they have brought in 'replacements'. That's understandable. And Albion take their place in that food-chain, which is generally somewhere near the bottom of top flight clubs.

We also need to appreciate that the market is delayed by the World Cup and a lack of action of the top of the transfer network - so unwanted players from bigger clubs are not starting to filter down the chain. This will be shunted along once clubs grasp the full dynamics of the 25-man rule, in which all Premier League sides need to declare no more than 25 players aged 21 or over for the first-half of the season. That could take another fortnight or so. Two weeks or so that Albion haven't got.

And what of those players who could have been in and settled by now but haven't?

Gary Megson used to call it 'faffing around'. Other managers Bryan Robson and Tony Mowbray also complained about it, albeit in slightly more diplomatic terms.

The value of players drops as the window eases towards the end of August. Also why sign a player in July if you can delay paying his wages until August? Albion's logic in waiting is understandable - no doubt at odds with those of a manager - but isn't the need to delay defeating the object if it means missing out on a player who might just make a difference? Albion effectively missed survival by four points (bearing in mind goal difference) last time. Who's to say it won't be closer this time? A delay could be costly.

Jeremy Peace has continually spoken about the need for getting good value - rightly so - but the perceived inflexibility of this is denying Di Matteo a chance to mould these players into his team.

The Baggies have already seen the benefit of acting quickly this summer. Reid, Tamas and Pablo have settled in well. That should have been the template for the rest of the summer, not the exception.

Of course, Albion aren't exactly unique to this lack of transfer action. The same can said for many other clubs. And to expect half a dozen new players to march into the training ground on the first day of pre-season is the stuff of football management computer games. It simply doesn't happen.

Yet most of those other top flight clubs are already in a position of strength as Premier League regulars. Albion are continually trying to keep pace. There should be an onus on them to push for players.

And, once again before a Premier League campaign, the Albion chairman has instigated off-the-field matters where the more pressing issue is surely recruiting Premier League players. Two years ago the club announced they were looking for investment at around the same time. This time he has started a new company and is offering to buy more shares or offering a cash sum for each share to those who wish to keep their stake in the newly formed WBA Group. The first deadline for that, somewhat ironically, was yesterday.

Both times the fans, via the media, were reassured there would no interference with player recruitment. We have to assume that to be the case but people will inevitably question that. And, given the correspondence we've been receiving, they already are.

Why such an urgent need for multi-tasking during what is traditionally the busiest time of the year? Surely the reshuffling of shares and the strengthening of his position could have waited until September, for instance?

The Baggies chairman has done well on many fronts over the years. The infrastructure of the club is in place and is worthy of established Premier League status.
He has managed to surprise us all with the amounts for certain outgoing players - think Greening, Davies, Koumas, Kamara - and you probably won't find Albion in administration anytime soon.

He's already said that he's willing to up the wage ceiling if necessary to help bring in players - that's a move in the right direction.

Yet he might find Albion fans in an unforgiving mood if the club find themselves back in the Championship at the fourth time of asking this time next summer. And they might point to this laboured period of inactivity as an example.

Some fans who supported and championed the Albion chairman since he took over in 2002 are showing signs of being on the turn. The Birmingham Mail sports desk has received letters and emails from some supporters questioning - for the first time in a few cases - just how much Peace is doing to keep their club in the Premier League. They're genuinely worried.

The coming weeks will tell us more. Of course, the lack of activity may just be a quirk of this particular transfer window, not least because of the financial issues throughout football. I know Albion are trying to recruit new players but should they have been pushing some more? Time will tell.

But one thing is clear: sooner or later Albion could be relegated again. And next time it might not necessarily be the players or the manager who soak up the inevitable blame...

No need for words today. Saturday belonged to the many Albion fans who travelled over to Reuver for the Venlo v Albion game.

Many thanks to those who posed for pictures before the game in Venlo or at the match. And it was a pleasure to meet so many fans.

Thanks for checking out the diary this week.

That's all from me. I'll be back on Monday to resume the normal blog.

In the meantime, here are just a few of the 400-odd fans who travelled over to Holland today...

THE last time I played chess I was about nine, at school and most likely playing under duress.

I probably lost.

So when Roman Bednar asked me for a game what I really should have done was shake my head politely and make some excuse about having 'Karpov's wrist'- a common affliction among chess players. Or at least it should be.

But then we would have been denied the inevitable Czech mate gag and I'd have never known if I could be a grandmaster in the making.

I wasn't, but Roman wasn't bad.

He learnt the game from his grandfather over in the Czech Republic and still enjoys playing from time to time.

So much for the hellraiser image.

Roman and I went head-to-head on the giant chess board in front of watching media, snapper Tim and kit man Dave.

They were all supporting the favourite, apart from dear old Dave, who backed me.

You can imagine who won...someone who is a chess enthusiast, or someone who hasn't played for the best part of 25 years.

And didn't he look thrilled.

While Roman likes a traditional board game, Youssouf Mulumbu is clearly more in tune with martial arts judging by his tackle on Luke Moore.

Youssouf lifted his foot to try and trap the ball and succeeded in giving Luke a stamp in the chest. Ouch. Mr Miyagi would have been proud.

This week's training sessions have highlighted some of the quirks and props used by Albion's coaching staff to get their methods across to players of different nationalities.

One exercise today saw the players line-up in a 4-4-1-1 formation (two/three men per each position - so for example Reid/Zuiverloon stood at right-back) and then move in team shape around the pitch to recreate structured attacking or defending scenarios during the game.

To help illustrate the methods, bibs representing different clubs were placed around the pitch on poles - for example a Barcelona bib, Ajax, Milan, Argentina and even, oddly, Partick Thistle.

All different colours to avoid confusion and to help the players understand where on the pitch they need to pull towards. Argentina, for instance, denoted the left-wing. No doubt it helps those who struggle with England - Pablo, for one, doesn't speak a word.

As for the stand-out performers this week then three spring to mind. Pablo, so comfortable on the ball and strong in the challenge, looks every inch a player of significant pedigree. James Morrison has been vibrant and energetic, with the look of a player desperate for the season to start. And the enthusiastic Youssouf Mulumbu, who treated practice games like a cup final.

Dean Kiely, meanwhile, was on media duty today and gave a fascinating insight into his role in helping to find a new goalkeeper to challenge Scott Carson. You can read the interview in Saturday's Birmingham Mail.

And it's been good to see several fans watching training, including David James of Wycombe and his two sons Matthew and Morgan. More to arrive tomorrow.

Elsewhere, it was press officer John Simpson's birthday today.

Simmo must wish his birthday would fall at some other time. No sooner had training finished that he ended up with a obligatory bottle of water over his head from Roman.

Not the end of the world, apart from the fact Simmo had Roberto Di Matteo's phone in his pocket.

Let's hope it dries quickly or that no one needs to get hold of the Baggies boss over the next few days...

Day Four. The game gets nearer.

Ishmael Miller was on hand to answer some questions. Which was good of him.

Giles Barnes, meanwhile, sat on a bicycle after also having a chat with us.

Don't worry Giles, we won't tell anyone it was a girl's bike.

Luckily, there were smiles today. Because it could have been worse after news came through of a near miss yesterday,.

It felt like a gust of wind. But clearly it wasn't

Upturned trees, debris across busy roads, branches broken off.

Albion players Dean Kiely, Scott Carson, James Morrison and Chris Brunt enjoyed the day off on a golf course.

All was going well until the 18th hole. When down came the rain and along came the wind.

And you can only imagine the story I could have been telling you today had the quartet's buggy not been equipped with a roof.

Elsewhere today it was interesting to see Dan Ashworth turn up.

Albion's sporting and technical director had been intending to stay in the UK had any deals been imminent but with the bid for Andy Lonergan being rejected then clearly there was little chance of anyone else checking in.

The Baggies, I'm informed, offered about £750,000 for the Preston keeper. PNE want £2million. I suspect they will meet somewhere in the middle. Unless Albion find better value for money elsewhere.

The players indulged in a practice match today with the first Albion fans arriving to check out the players ahead of Saturday's game with Venlo.

All was going well until Youssouf Mulumbu got a kick from Reuben Reid. No nastiness, but a few questions and answers were exchanged afterwards. Followed by a hand-shake.

Team spirit. That's what it's about

No Graham Dorrans or Steven Reid this afternoon - they were in the gym, nursing minor knocks.

Best of all tonight's practice game also gave me a chance to show off my photography skills.

These snappers always think they have a hard job.

But as you can see from my efforts, there is little to it. Any fool can take an action picture during a football match.

As Tim would say, my picture is sharp, full of colour and captures an in-game action moment perfectly.

Okay, I admit it.

That was his picture.

This was my effort.

I blame Roman Bednar for moving too quickly.

In any case, I prefer to think of it as my 'arty' picture.

Bit more practice and I'll get it right.

It's been a day of mishaps over in Mierlo - some intentional, some otherwise.

Albion players might have called it Karma.

Firstly there was poor Ade Mafe who walked into the hotel yesterday clutching his fingers and grimacing.

The Albion fitness coach had the look of a man who was in agony - much like some of the Baggies players have being during his fitness sessions this week.

The injury was unfortunate. Poor Ade had caught his ring finger on a fence as he went to retrieve a ball. Ouch. Stitches followed.

Eslewhere, Chris Barnes, new sports scientist, showed his naivity when he left his plate of food unattended - the culinary version of leaving your car keys in the ignition, the doors wide open and the engine running.

Gabriel Tamas and Roman Bednar took advantage by dousing his food with Tabasco sauce.

Tears flowed - exclusively those of Chris, who really must learn to take his food everywhere he goes.

It could have been worse. Roman usually only deals with Deep Heat and underwear when it comes to practical jokes.

The players were given the afternoon off, allowing the Birmingham Mail to catch up with Roberto Di Matteo.

He was in relaxed and jovial mood having earlier instructed press officer John Simpson to run several laps of the pitch.

"We're trying to kill him...but it's not yet worked," commented the Italian.

We assume he was joking.

Di Matteo spoke about the frustrations of this summer's transfer window - with player movement being delayed by the World Cup and an unwillingness of bigger clubs to trade too early. This has a knock-on effect on Albion. You can read about his thoughts on the transfer window in Thursday's Birmingham Mail.

In the meantime, Luke Daniels checks out to join Bristol Rovers next week. Di Matteo also confirmed the interest in David Ngog, with Albion still hopeful of signing him.

And, as you'd have initially read in the Birmingham Mail last month, Jason Roberts' name remains on the radar, along with others. But Roberts is not high on Albion's agenda at this stage - merely a name on a list.

The Albion boss, meanwhile, has been pleased with his players' conduct during training.

This week has highlighted the difference in coaching methods.

Tony Mowbray's regime was about one-touch drills, quick-slow-quick attacking moves, developing possesion - but there was little work on set-piece defending.

Likewise, team structure wasn't always paramount, which often led to the defensive chaos we came to associate during Albion's Premier League campaign.

Di Matteo, Eddie Newton and Michael Appleton have been working on structured and disciplined defensive shapes - a back four being protected by two deep midfielders in front. Organisation has been key.

Plenty of work also on forward movement, switching of play, spacial awareness and fluidity of the players occupying roles in the final third.

The themes are very much on utilising attacking midfielders but ensuring that the back-end of the side is disciplined and organised.

In any case, the players will have been delighted to be off this afternoon as Holland was once again savaged by an angry storm, although a few of them were heading off to the golf course.

Still, it meant I didn't have to go paddling through the car park as I had two days ago...

And before I go, if any of you are heading over for the game this Saturday, then be sure to look out for myself and snapper Tim Easthope - he'll be the Meatloaf/Tuncay lookalike.

We'll be heading over the Main Square in Venlo around lunchtime.

COVER your ears, Pablo is clearing his throat.

There's a general rule that any new Albion signing must sing to the other players.

Never mind get-out clauses, relegation flex-downs or win-bonuses. This is one clause which Albion players apply with ferocity.

And not even a player who could feasibly represent the World Champions in their next game has escaped the players' demands.

Pablo Ibanez tried to get out of it by offering to buy dinner.

Bad form Pablo.

So we are soon to find out whether he can hold a tune as well as he can pass the ball. Although let's hope he has better luck in front of goal. He scored his first for the club today. An own-goal...

If, when, he does sing, he could always get Jonas to tickle the ivories, as No2 in our series of 'posing with quirky objects in the hotel foyer' snap shows. You can't beat a footballer-poses-with-shiny-piano pic.

Tomorrow we may bring you a shot of the pool table which has no holes.

On the training pitch, Jerome Thomas and Giles Barnes got out of this morning's fitness training session - with all of the runs being led by Sweden's marathon beast Jonas Olsson - due to the progress they made during their solo work-outs during the summer.

Barnes' no-show would have pleased Chris Brunt, who has started referring to his fellow winger as Darth Vader due to his heavy breathing during training.

Away from all of this running, Roberto Di Matteo did his neighbourly good deed by sending a personalised 60th birthday card back to the UK for Wolves press officer John 'Foz' Hendley.

And doesn't Foz look thrilled?

Albion fans will no doubt be hoping that'll be the last gift from the blue and white half of the Black Country for the next 12 months at least.

Anyway, back in Holland, there was someone else moaning.

It was all getting a bit too much for Roman Bednar who was none too pleased about the lack of service during the practice game. And when he did get it...the ball would spin away.

Di Matteo's reaction? Picked up the ball and carried it over to the Czech striker, smiled and clipped him round the ear. Let that be a warning to you.

None of this explains what Roman was up to in this picture? There must be easier ways to fell a tree.

Roman, try an axe.

Oh dear. So Holland lost.

7pm, World Cup Final day, your nation is involved, the weather is oppressively hot, it's a Sunday.

Geldrop, our base for the next seven days, was like a ghost town. Just the odd bar open here or there. Few fans congregating.

One bar did have a paddling pool ready - presumably for the soon-to-be-introduced Dutch ritual of dunking English referees.

Another bar had a promotion of selling beer for just One Euro. More of this please.

Embracing another nation's footballing culture is a strange concept. Our photographer Tim got into the mood, wearing a Dutch top. Just to fit in.

We know the result. The difference in the supporters was marked. The youngsters, drinking alcohol and smoking (and by youngsters I mean 15-year-olds at best), wanted a Netherlands win. No matter what.

The older guard did too. But a few times they winced at some of their nation's cynicism.

This was no Total Football. Near Neanderthal perhaps.

Obviously I didn't mention that last night.

We made new friends along the way, including a somewhat drunk darts player who claimed to have played against Phil Taylor recently. I suspect he lost.

Mind you we did well to get to Holland in the first place. Tim's satnav was excellent. In 2008.

Since then the region has new roads, none of which correlated with our satnav so we got to know the local A-roads and motorways quite well. A bit too well, if we're honest.

Parking wasn't a problem, but clearly the Dutch have a lack of confidence in their female drivers.

Our hotel boasts 'woman only' (sic) parking slots. They are nearer to the hotel for starters. And, for some reason, a lot wider than the other parking spots.

Holland, sexist? Who'd have thought it.

Not that it was of much use today - heavy rain brought a flood and the fire brigade to the car park.

Meanwhile, at the team hotel there was much amusement on World Cup final day when kit man Dave Matthews mentioned to press officer John Simpson 'there were a lot of Blackpool fans around'.

"Oh yeah..you're right," replied a surprised Simmo.

Meanwhile, Jonas Olsson and Steven Reid were on 'media' duty today. Both were relaxed and buoyant about the season - and the first victims of our occasional series entitled 'posing with quirky objects in the hotel foyer'. Olsson posing over a piano, Reid sat in the centre of a giant chess board.

Regrettably it wasn't Roman Bednar, otherwise I'd have got to use my hilarious Czech mate gag.

Instead I have to contend with a quip about Reid's glorious pawn collection.

Still, we should be grateful that Roman was here in the first place.

The striker was forced to do a walk of shame down to the front of the plane on the outward journey after a tannoy announcement came over telling the whole plane that he had dropped his passport...

Speaking of which, Albion's party was too big in numbers to be allocated first-class seats so the club were allocated normal seats. The kind you or I would have.

But KLM had three first-class seats up for grabs, which they decided to allocate randomly.

The lucky recipients?

Youngsters George Thorne, Marcus Haber and Sam Mantom.

The others, including Roberto Di Matteo and his coaching staff, had to stay in cattle class.

You couldn't make it up...

Recharged with Italian food, Italian wine and Italian sun.

Only football is a topic no Italian would wish to talk about right now.

Roberto Di Matteo was shying away from the whole Italy thing this lunchtime.

Not surprising really. RDM can call upon Switzerland as his home nation if he really wants to.

And he's good pals with Bryan Ferry-wannabe Joachim Löw who played with the Baggies boss at Schaffhausen, Di Matteo's home-town club. He was impressed with the Germans.

In any case, Di Matteo will be glad to have extended the holiday period of Chris Wood - who could become the proud squad member of the only team to not lose a match during this World Cup should Holland lose to Spain on Sunday. And then, of course, Wood almost scored against Italy.

As Di Matteo said:"If he'd scored I'd have sold him."

Asked for his comments about England, Di Matteo added: "Italy didn't win a game...we finished last in the group so I'm not saying anything about England.

"We finished behind New Zealand and I've got Chris Wood coming back..."

Elsewhere, attention turned to Graham Dorrans. He's going nowhere.

Jeremy Peace has had a frank exchange with his counterparts at West Ham. Albion are growing weary of it all. Di Matteo was typically bemused.

Transfer wise, Albion are still in for David Ngog. And Marcus Berg is being reconsidering after being initially played down. Albion want to cover all bases. Don't hold your breath on Berg. His agent claims he wants to stay at Hamburg. Other sources claim he wants to remain on mainland Europe.

And then what about Luke Moore? The one manager who really took to him was David O'Leary, who was this week appointed as manager of UAE side Al Ahli...

Albion travel to Holland on Sunday for their week-long training camp.

I, along with ace snapper Tim Easthope, will bring you all the latest prose and pics from the Albion tour.

And if you're coming along to the VVV Venlo game then introduce yourself to us. Tim has offered to buy everyone a drink...

I'm the ugly one at the top of this page and Tim will be the one who looks like Meatloaf.

The Birmingham Mail, in association with Esprit-UK, will be bringing you daily news, blogs and photos from Albion's training camp near Eindhoven. And you'll also find snippets from myself on http://twitter.com/chrislepkowski

And, in the meantime, if you've got a view on the new Albion kit then let me know.

I can't help but look at the home shirt (forget the sponsor) and think of Romeo Zondervan or Maarten Jol.

Finally, I'd like to thank those who informed me today that Saturday's Aggborough friendly is at 12.30pm. I was orginally planning to leave my house sometime after 1pm...

Shattered footballers. A selection of high-powered German cars still parked up, despite it being mid-afternoon. Good weather.

Must be pre-season.

It was back to business for Albion players today. The new signings were there, Borja Valero was around with only the World Cup players absent. Marek Cech, incidentally, got married on Saturday - just as well Slovakia didn't reach the quarter-finals in South Africa.

A three-line whip from Jeremy Peace and his directors brought me to the training ground today. The reasons for this are embargoed until Tuesday. You can read about them on the Birmingham Mail website.

Transfer matters are the remit of Dan Ashworth these days. Things are going on but nothing is imminent - despite what you might have seen about Boaz Myhill. That one is unlikely at this stage.

Joe Ledley has been identified. But his arrival onto the transfer conveyor has come at the wrong time. Do Albion really need to dip into the market for another midfielder when the search for a striker and goalkeeper is more pressing? It could eat into the budget and leave them short for a player they really need. If he's still available come August then maybe... Cardiff will want him to move to an English club as they won't get compensation should he go to Scotland or overseas.

Late July/early August will be the prime time when players start moving but Albion may still have to wait. The dynamics of this summer's transfer window have been changed by the introduction of the 25-player squad selection.

Little has been made of this rule change but it's significant. And here's why...

By the closure of the summer transfer window all Premier League clubs must name their 25 players for the first-half of the season. A club has to name ALL professional players if the squad was to fall below 25 by not doing so. Come January they have to announce the 25 men again. No changes can be made in-between windows. So you can't keep a place free if you wish to sign a free agent.

And what about Albion?

The knock-on effect means that clubs with more than 25 registered senior players (Chelsea or Manchester City spring to mind as example) must sell or release their unwanted players before the end of the window or risk having highly-paid inactive passengers on their books.

What might feasibly happen is that a Chelsea or Man City will release/sell some players to a, for example, Villa or Everton. They may then find themselves with more than 25 players so will need to move people on. And so a Blackburn or Sunderland might come into the equation and then they might end up with more than 25...and so on.

That's the simplistic explanation and only if you apply the concept of common sense - which, let's face it, rarely applies to football. But Albion are braced for the prospect of that filter effect.

This is why it could be a while before players start trickling down towards Albion. And the Baggies still have two domestic loans to use. It could be an interesting summer. Albion may benefit from another club's need to release a player they would otherwise want to keep.

But best be patient.

As for Graham Dorrans...EastEnders three times a week will be the nearest he gets to that part of London. To say Albion are getting bored with West Ham and his agent would be an understatement of some magnitude.