[Salopbaggie]

Mail reporting Shlupp destined for Palace for £12 mil.  Didn't we have a £12 mil bid knocked back n the last window.

I am a little unsure why we constantly look for "names" rather than players (probably a bit of fan appeasement). Most of the "names" we look at are unable to get into their current teams starting line up, so obviously their respective managers do not think they are good enough to start. There is an exception to this, which is the "past it names" and while the player may be past it for their current team, (i.e. Fletcher and Evans) they are still good enough to improve our team, but only for a season or two, so no longer term plan.

What has happened to the amazing scouting network we established, apart from the driving force behind it being poached by the F.A., which plucked unknowns from their relative leagues around the world, who did not have a name here, but soon did after their arrival. Instead our current policy of buying up players at the end of their career is no good in the long term.

We will of course get the occasional "potential" bargain such as Chadli (flash in the pan or real talent?) or Phillips but they will always be the exception.

Bottom line from my prospective is, we can not afford the top level players, not that they would come to us at the moment, even if we could. The calibre of player we can afford from this country is not good enough for a proper top 6 league place challenge, so if we want to have a shot at a European place we need to bring in unknowns with a lot of potential and to a certain extent cross our fingers that the balance is right.

[betterthanbaird]

Mail reporting Shlupp destined for Palace for £12 mil.  Didn't we have a £12 mil bid knocked back n the last window.

I am a little unsure why we constantly look for "names" rather than players (probably a bit of fan appeasement).  Most of the "names" we look at are unable to get into their current teams starting line up, so obviously their respective managers do not think they are good enough to start.  There is an exception to this, which is the "past it names" and while the player may be past it for their current team, (i.e. Fletcher and Evans) they are still good enough to improve our team, but only for a season or two, so no longer term plan.

What has happened to the amazing scouting network we established, apart from the driving force behind it being poached by the F.A., which plucked unknowns from their relative leagues around the world, who did not have a name here, but soon did after their arrival.  Instead our current policy of buying up players at the end of their career is no good in the long term.

We will of course get the occasional "potential" bargain such as Chadli (flash in the pan or real talent?) or Phillips but they will always be the exception.

Bottom line from my prospective is, we can not afford the top level players, not that they would come to us at the moment, even if we could.  The calibre of player we can afford from this country is not good enough for a proper top 6 league place challenge, so if we want to have a shot at a European place we need to bring in unknowns with a lot of potential and to a certain extent cross our fingers that the balance is right.

Jonny Evans was more the Chadli category of not good enough for his team at the time, than being past it, he was only 26/27 when we bought him and never looked good enough for united even though he was there for ages and played a lot, (almost always cos they had injury prone defenders).

Don't really understand people comparing schneiderlin and Schlupp, they play in completely different positions.

[BBB]

Seems that Clever-ley doesn't like us either - not so clever going to Watford - but he was their player of the year when on loan to them .

[Beefy 1965]

Also with a lot of links they are only rumours don't forget,
To say we have lost out to Watford over Cleverley is wrong,
Who said we had approached Everton for him in the first place, ?
Not too bothered about Tom TBF,
But if all rumours were true we would have a squad of about 86 by now,
About talksaft's age

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Dan Scarr on trial..............

Stourbridge FA Cup goal hero Dan Scarr lands trial with West Bromwich Albion

Dan Scarr celebrated his FA Cup third-round goal for Stourbridge by going on trial with West Bromwich Albion this week.

The 22-year-old defender netted his side’s equaliser before they valiantly went down 2-1 at League Two Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday in front of more than 2,000 Glassboys supporters.

And the centre-half – who has forged a strong partnership with Jack Duggan for Gary Hackett’s men three levels below the Football League – has been attracting plenty of attention after impressing for Stourbridge in 83 appearances since signing from Redditch United in the summer of 2015.

Boss Hackett said: “We’ve had enquiries about Dan from a number of clubs, and West Brom have asked to take a look at him. He’s gone over there with our blessing and we’ll see what develops. The ball is in their court.

“Dan is under contract with us at the present time, but I’d like to think we wouldn’t stand in the way of any player progressing.

“Dan’s been playing really well lately and it’s no surprise one or two people are taking notice.”

Scarr, who has bagged 11 goals for the Glassboys, has been training with the first-team squad at Albion and was expected to remain there until tomorrow.

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2017...ch-albion/

[BBB]

The fact that Clevereley was spoken of on here, Beefy, is enough for some people like me to think it could be true, otherwise why mention it. As is speculation for Benteke for Saido that you mentioned.

[Slick_Footwork]

Given Pulis' style, I assume Schlupp would be used at left wing and given Chadli has signed since the initial Schlupp interest, I can understand why he'd no longer be a priority. To be honest, I've watched him a few times for Leicester this season and he hasn't impressed me at all and him playing has generally corresponded with them getting a hiding.

As for Cleverley, I don't see him as an improvement on what we've got, so happy he's gone elsewhere. If we were going to raid Everton for a centre midfielder, both James McCarthy and Mo Besic are better options.

Given Gardner has gone, I think it's safe to assume that someone is imminent in that position.

Personally I think a centre half is imperative as Gaz McAuley and Evans are superb, but 37 and prone to knocks respectively. Olsson has been a great servant but nowhere near Prem class now his legs have gone, while Dawson and Nyom seem to operate better as full backs despite starting as centre backs.

[Beefy 1965]

The fact that Clevereley was spoken of on here, Beefy, is enough for some people like me to think it could be true, otherwise why mention it. As is speculation for Benteke for Saido that you mentioned.

Exactly .. Speculation

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Snodgrass linked

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/867058619?-11200:789:0

[Beefy 1965]

BaggieBird1966 and Kev Baker liked
Paul Suart ‏@PaulSuartWBA Jan 11
Contrary to claims from the player's agent, West Brom have not bid for Manolo Gabbiadini. #wba

[4evaabaggie]

BaggieBird1966 and Kev Baker liked
Paul Suart ‏@PaulSuartWBA  Jan 11
Contrary to claims from the player's agent, West Brom have not bid for Manolo Gabbiadini. #wba

Have we bid for anyone ....... I hate the Windows ....... rumours and counter rumours ......... get your hopes up then smash them down again.

[Beefy 1965]

BaggieBird1966 and Kev Baker liked
Paul Suart ‏@PaulSuartWBA  Jan 11
Contrary to claims from the player's agent, West Brom have not bid for Manolo Gabbiadini. #wba

Have we bid for anyone ....... I hate the Windows ....... rumours and counter rumours ......... get your hopes up then smash them down again.

Before the window opened ,I think after the Hull game Pulis said we had 5 bids in for players.
The only one that was confirmed was Schneiderlin but as soon as Everton came calling that was dead and buried,
So that leaves another 4 bids in for players if you believe TP of course,
He has no reason to lie so we will have to wait and see
Probably find out FEB 1st when Williams says one thing and TP another then we can all moan about another wasted window....
Or will we