AND so by the time Big Ben struck 11, Jim White had gone pop and normality returned, Albion had three signings to show for their efforts.

Scott Allan we know about. He comes with potential and will become part of the current version of what Tony Mowbray once called the ‘underbelly’. He clearly has quality.

Roy Hodgson was impressed with his ability on the ball recently – though his fitness and off-the-ball effort remains work in progress.

Liam Ridgewell and Keith Andrews are different animals.

Both bring significant Premier League experience and know how.

They might not be the type of names to excite supporters who craved an expensive goalscorer or a dashing winger.

But, let’s face it, the former was never going to happen during this transfer window – while Szabolcs Huszti was a non-starter given that his injury prognosis wasn’t too clever. Hodgson wanted him, but the medics had their doubts.

So that leaves Ridgewell and Andrews.

The former has been on Albion’s wanted list for a while.

Since seeing his pals leave, one by one from Blues during the summer, it was inevitable the defender would crave a similar move to pastures new.