THIS IS GR8 NEWS AS IM A BIG FAN OF BRUNTY, NOT SURE ABOUT PLAYING HIM IN A CENTRAl ROLE THOUGH, WITH THE PLAYERS WE ALREADY HAVE IN THAT POSITION SURELY THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK ISNT AN ISSUE CURRENTLY. WE NEED BRUNTY’S FLARE ON THE WINGS AND FOR ME WE LOOK MORE THREATENING WHEN WE HAVE BRUNT AND MORRISON RUNNING DOWN THE FLANKS. ON A NEGATIVE NOTE, WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO BRING NEW PLAYERS IN? IM MASSIVELY CONCERNED BY THIS AS THE CURRENT SQUAD IN MY OPINION JUST WONT BE STRONG ENOUGTH TO HOLD OUT A FULL SEASON AND STAY UP, WE NEED 2 OR 3 NEW FACES AT LEAST AND JP ONLY SEEMS INTERESTED IN BRINGING IN JOURNEYMEN AND PLAYERS WHO HAVNT REALLY CUT IT ELSEWHERE (ON THE CHEAP). LIKE THATS GOING TO HELP US. MAJOR LACK OF AMBITION IN MY OPINION, AND IT NEEDS SORTING OUT FAST!

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This is good news. New contracts for exisiting players pave the way for new players to come into an already happy dressing room, and prevents those who have signed new contracts from being unhappy because so and so has come in on a higher wage or better deal.
This summers window has been especially slow but it has been the same for many teams. Moving in a market too soon may exclude us from better options when clubs begin to realise they haven’t got down to 25 yet.
With this in mind sorting out the futures of Koren, Valero and Dorrans Mulumbu and Brunt is a necessary forerunner to bringing in new blood. The new rules make it more difficult than ever to get a deal moving.
Ibanez was the exception as he was on a free and clearly we had to move quickly for him. Reid was already here and as such we had first refusal. Shame Ben Watson did so well here in a way and when he return to the JJB because there’s no moving him from Wigan now surely. If it hadn’t have been for the crisis they had when they recalled him, I think he’d be a baggie by now.

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Nice one Chris, it’s good to see the team are committed and shows a strong sense of unity within the club. RDM & Eddie have formed a really strong partnership and that is shining throughout the club.

With one good striker and a keeper signed soon I can sit back and enjoy the season.

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2) Not sure about a right back and first choice keeper, but imo need a left back, defensive midfielder and 2 strikers. I think Bednar can do a job as a sub, Cox is a goalscorer, but Miller just isn’t good enough. Not sure what is up with JP, seems to be more occupied with restructuring the shares…not good timing Jeremy. I agree with 2) HE HAS TO BACK RDM. I don’t think the fans are going to be as forgiving this time if we go down again due to JP’s lack of ambition.

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Can i just say how did byod slip through our fingers to sign for a championship side?
he would have been an interesting signing and would have scored around 10-15 goals in my opinion, but i could be wrong aswell. whats the situtaion with giavanni at hull, he may not be a direct striker but he knows where the goal is at any level. james beattie looks set to stay at stoke but then again has he really got the legs to play in the prem anyway? utaka may be an option but our options are really starting to thin out now, i can see us having bednar and miller upfront again this season, weshould start sniffing around man utd and chelsea for loan signings now as theres alot of quality to be had, welback macheda diuof? sturridge. any ideas on forwards we could possibly sign ?

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2. Concerned Albion Fan

Feeling itchy? Its those cheap Burrda shirts mate!!!

As for Brunty, a very talented player who will be better this season as he continues to gain experience.

The new signings situation has many fans worrying, i would say lets wait until the start of the season and the close of the transfer window before making any predictions on this seasons outcome.

The experimentation during pre season is just that, experimentation. The fact is we have Morrison, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Thomas, Jara, Brunt, Barnes, and Reid (steven) who can all play in midfield. Five spots available!!
Now try putting them into a five man midfield?

Personally i like Mulumbu/Dorrans/Jara in the middle, Morrison wide right and either Thomas or Brunt wide left. The problem is i rate both Brunt and Thomas highly, maybe RDM does too, so he is looking at possibly accomadating Brunt in the middle at home to give us extra attacking potential.

Up front we need someone to come in, Miller is an impact player, Bednar is the best we have at playing on his own, and Cox needs to play off someone.

I hope RDM/Ashworth/Peace can get the right striker in as i think it will be hudely influential on our success this season.

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Stop knocking JP do you think Dorrens Mulumbu or Brunt would have signed (long term) if they thought the club was not going places or if the wages offered were not as good as they may get elsewehere.
Let JP DTM and DA get on with the job and what ever happens we need a club who are solvent and not in administration.
The top 4 or 5 clubs are still jockying for players to bring in and will have to off load some players soon. Other clubs lower down the pecking order are waiting to see whos going to become available and that includes us but its all about what are you prepared to pay in transfer fees and wages “its a business” after all.

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The signings will come.
Di Matteo saying on the radio that he is starting to get worried over our lack of signings was a little naive – and then to potentially sign Djemba Djemba looks like a panic move, but I really believe this guy has improved considerably since he was last in England.
We all know by now the way the Albion work with the funds available and we also know that with the 25 player squad system we’ll have to bide our time until the right players become available, which they will!

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Cyril my learned friend you have raised a point i was discussing the other day regards a number 2 keeper. It must be the most frustrating squad position and one that is very difficult to recruit for, especially as we have advertised the fact it is a number 2 position.
I would expect us to go for a young and up and coming keeper from the either the championship or lower, someone who is prepared to work hard and improve and challenge for the jersey. I did rate a number of keepers from the Championship last season, but as you say it is a very difficult position to recruit for.

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17 Bomber and Cyril too.
Good points. The ex-Man City keeper Nicky Weaver is looking for a club and is a decent keeper to step in when needed. He’s still only 31, a good age for a keeper, perhaps we ought to be looking at someone like this. A young promising keeper is a risk in the Prem if Carson should pick up an injury.
No doubt the JP knockers would be out in force if we don’t spend a fortune on a keeper though.

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I love the way some Albion fans are saying Wolves wasted money on Fletcher and Hunt and ignore the fact we signed Halford……….

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RBH. Weaver would fit the bill if no one snaps him up. My other slight concern is, we have Carson, Tamas and Olsson who have developed a good understanding as a last-line defence, but there will be times when others stand in for the centre back positions. With the starting fixtures thrown up ‘by the computer’, these blokes have got to get it right instantly. Folks keep on about left back and right back, but our midfield and wingers give them support. The three big blokes in the middle carry a very big can.

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Nicky Weaver is a good shout and why would we want to spend a kings ransom to bring in an understudy. Everyone knows our keeper will be Carson’s understudy. Perhaps that is why it is proving so difficult to get someone in.
Bywater from Derby or Westwood from Coventry are both great keepers to add to the list but they won’t be looking for the opportunity on offer here at the stage their careers are at.
Keily is happy because he loves to come and fill in but he also knows he doesn’t want to be playing week in week out cos physically he’d struggle. He has the chance to develop his coaching skills. Finding the player to fill in the inbetween space between Carson and Keily will be very hard. KTF

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