You do have to wonder what Roy Hodgson is thinking this morning.

Albion yesterday took a gamble with their immediate future.

Three defenders out - one who can be recalled after 28 days - with no players arriving.

A few years ago Albion gambled too. They lost. Robert Earnshaw missed the team bus to Charlton because he had agreed a move to Norwich just three hours before the January window shut in 2006. Geoff Horsfield was waved off to Sheffield United a few weeks later. The two strikers were not replaced.

Yes, there were other reasons for the club's demise. But, in essence, those departures didn't help. Albion were struggling for goals at the time- it was a weakness.

Which makes it all the more bizarre that the Baggies should skim three members of their defence when the backline deficiencies are an issue.

James Hurst was understandable. He can return after 28 days should Albion want him.
Pablo Ibanez and Marek Cech less so. They're gone for good.

First-teamers, no, but they're able, willing members of a Premier League squad. They know the League. If Jonas Olsson or Nicky Shorey get injured who comes in?

The last time Olsson missed any length of time Albion were relegated. Last season he was within a second opinion away of missing three months of action. Again, his fitness was crucial.

Peter Odemwingie's goals or not - it would have been a close call between survival and relegation. Olsson is key to Albion's progress.
Alongside him Gabriel Tamas wasn't deemed good enough to be picked ahead of Abou Meite at the tail end of last season. Either Hodgson has had a major change of heart about the Romanian's attributes, or his elevation reflects the decline in standard of available players.

Perhaps the context needs twisting around. It's not so much what Albion are losing, but what they haven't gained.

Owen Hargreaves isn't a major problem. He wasn't a priority and Hodgson never gave the impression that he had completely bought into the idea.

It's the defence that remains a problem.

Albion sought two players last night. Nedum Onuoha had long been on the wishlist. The second was Chris Baird who only really came onto the front-line radar late on, when time was against the club.

Neither arrived. Both have been available all summer.

Albion have, in effect, weakened an already weakened area of the squad.

Let's not forget that Albion have kept two clean sheets in 41 League games.

And yet the club decide to decimate the defensive department.

Craig Dawson, Gareth McAuley and Billy Jones might be able competitors. But can Hodgson call on them for a sustained Premier League assault? Are they ready? Maybe. Let's hope so.

Hodgson was diplomatic about not necessarily wanting any more players last week, but his message lacked conviction.

The Albion boss wanted three specific players: Zoltan Gera, Shane Long and Ben Foster. Three ticks.

The Baggies have a midfield of steel, experience, invention and, in some cases, pace.

Their attack has been boosted by Long's arrival.

Ben Foster is a better goalkeeper than Scott Carson. Likewise Marton Fulop.

But the defence...

Dan Ashworth, an excellent member of the recruitment staff, does his best. But he remains an employee who is restricted.

The problem remains at the top. In summer 2005, Jeremy Peace handed just under £12million for Bryan Robson to spend. The players brought in were generally on low wages compared to this current squad. But the money was available. Robson simply invested badly. But the point is that Albion were no poorer financially then than they are now. They've gained prize money, even if they've also accumulated a bigger wage bill along the way.

There is no excuse for Albion to not flex a little to accommodate a player or two. Nobody was expecting them to shell out £22million as the Peter Coates-bankrolled Stoke did yesterday. But a loan player should not be beyond them surely?

This summer they signed one player for money - Long, £4million and counting - with the rest arriving on free transfers or loans. They have recouped in excess of £1.2million (with add-ons) for Ishmael Miller, Scott Carson (circa £2million), call it £1.5million for Marek Cech and Pablo Ibanez collectively (though it might be more). That's Long's transfer fee accounted for.

And then there's Borja Valero - about £4.5million if we're being conservative. And the prize money for finishing 11th in the Premier League. Then there's the cash from Sky and media partners - let's settle on £40million. They have also removed the wages of two international defenders overnight.

Wages need to paid, the stadium has been improved and yes the training ground is getting bigger. All good.

But why the sudden restriction on player recruitment?

Back in May this year, Jeremy Peace talked about the 'financial insanity' of increasing the Hawthorns capacity by building a new stand.

Since making that statement at the end-of-season dinner, Peace has shied from further comment. He hasn't revealed which stand, or when such work would be carried out. We're told it's the Halfords Lane stand. We've requested interviews. He's unwilling to comment. What's the big secret?
Surely there was more 'financially insanity' in filleting out that stand two years ago only for it to be rebuilt again?

Would it be too cynical to suggest that he perhaps was trying to divert from the more immediate needs of improving a Premier League squad?

On the plus side if things go wrong they won't go into financial meltdown.

In football such rightful prudency is regarded as a heroic achievement due to the awful mismanagement of other clubs who have spent beyond their means.

Being careful with money within a business model is no achievement. It should be the bare minimum - it's called good book-keeping.

On the pitch Albion continue to make it hard for themselves, whether it's Megson, Robson, Mowbray, Di Matteo or Hodgson patrolling the touchline.

They are intent on doing it the hard way.

Some of those brought in will boost the first-team. Others remain raw and inexperienced.

There will be little grace. Suspensions, more so injuries, to any defenders will have a significant impact on Albion.

The club's whole model for this season is stacked on a thin, creaking base.

In the meantime, good luck to Roy Hodgson and his players.

They will need it.