[Stairs]

You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. I am equally frustrated by the lack of transactions but I am happy with the transfers to which we are linked.

If we sold Berahino (and I really hope we do soon) then it tells all clubs that we are now desperate for a replacement and the buying price goes up. Add to that if we then failed in a series of attempts to buy a striker the media and the fans would rip into the club for being unprofessional and naive in its transfer dealings.

Suggestions are that the 'new owners' (if it happens) sanction the bid for Schlupp and so if the player fits the requirement spec it seems that the delay in selling the club is not blocking our activity.

As always the transfer window does not get going until we enter August and as always West Brom like many clubs need others to line up their new players before being prepared to sell their squad players to other clubs.

Patience as ever is a virtue - I am at the moment reasonably positive about where we might be come the end of the window.