The Chris Lepkowski Column: What next for West Brom?
May 21 2009 by Chris Lepkowski
THERE was a moment in Albion’s ailing Premier League campaign where things changed.
It came in the away game at Portsmouth. Not so much the result, or even the performance.
It was the moment when, at around 2.10pm, the team-sheets were posted onto the wall of the Fratton Park press room.
No Teixeira, no Kim, Cech wasn’t even on the bench and Moore was probably shopping at the Mailbox.
In came Dorrans. Menseguez and Mulumbu were subs, with Chris Wood - whose shirt number and name were ironed on by Portsmouth’s kit man - also claiming a spot on the bench
Nothing particularly exciting, but it was a significant taster of what may come.
Let’s get the spin out of the way first. Albion, we’re told, don’t need to sell this summer. But the disclaimer is that it would be helpful if one or two did actually go for a decent sum.
I’m not convinced. I’m of the view that Albion do have a bit of money, somewhere. Possibly gathering dust. Don’t be fooled by spin. There may be a surprise or two - the pursuit of Barry Ferguson being an example.
This summer Tony Mowbray starts again.
His new-look Albion will embrace his philosophies but offer a little more steel and know-how. This is where Youssouf Mulumbu comes in. Young, hungry and a ball-winner. Ferguson would be as an addition, not an alternative.
Juan Carlos Menseguez is a big possible but Marc-Antoine Fortune may be trickier. He’s bought into Mowbray’s ways but his agent has been sounded out by Premier League clubs.
