West Bromwich Albion: Ishmael Miller - we'll be tough to crack
IF nothing else, Albion should be harder to beat this year.
The Baggies stood accused of being way too soft-centered and flimsy when they were last in the Premier League.
Abdoulaye Meite struggled with injuries, Paul Robinson struggled for form and both Gianni Zuiverloon and Jonas Olsson were new to the division.
And then there was Ryan Donk.
This summer Albion have brought in two international centre-halves, Gabriel Tamas and Pablo Ibanez, with full-back Nicky Shorey arriving earlier this week.
Gonzalo Jara, who has just signed a new three-year deal, gives Albion’s back line a stronger feel.
Ishmael Miller, who has the pleasure of coming up against Albion’s defence during practice games, feels this side will be a tougher proposition for Premier League challengers.
The striker has been particularly pleased with Ibanez, who could have feasibly been lining up for Real Madrid had a different president been elected at the Bernabeu.
“From what I’ve seen of Pablo so far, I think he is a very, very good acquisition for the squad,” said Miller.
“He’s strong, fast – faster than you think – and looks very good.
“It’s a great transfer for us and then you have Nicky Shorey coming in, who was in the England squad. We’ve got Gabi as well.
“He was very good at the back end of last season.
“We also have Gonzalo as well. He had a very good World Cup.
“We’ve got a lot of good players there which will hopefully stand us in good stead.”
