Swindon boss backs striker to deliver for West Brom

Jun 30 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

"It’s not really my problem.

"But if my chairman is going out and buying me a £2.5million striker then I would be quite happy, even if I wasn’t there.

"That shows their intent. He’s not buying an unknown, he’s buying a very good player and it’s not much of a gamble for West Brom."

Albion watched the player in action several times last season.

Although Tony Mowbray was reticent, Cox impressed the club's former coaching staff and Albion's scouting representatives, prompting the club to make an early pitch for him, mindful that the transfer window re-opens tomorrow.

Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton continued: "It is fair to say that we have given West Bromwich Albion permission to speak to the player.

"They bid some time ago but it has managed to be kept underwraps - until now.

"We kept a lid on it for 10 days because they wanted to introduce Simon to the new manager and also Simon wasn’t available for personal talks because he has been away.

"We accepted the bid about seven days ago.

"I think West Brom is a good club. We always said that Simon could leave if it was the right deal for the both the club and the player, and I believe that is the case here.

"I’m not pre-empting the decisions he will make or have to make, but it’s important he went somewhere he would have the opportunity to be with a club who won’t struggle.

"By that I mean I think it will be better for his development to be at a high-end Championship club rather than a relegation-fighting Premier League team.

"And from there I think he will go again and make the next step up."