Albion and Stoke duel for Marc Wilson

Thursday 26th August 2010, 11:57AM BST.

Albion and Stoke duel for Marc Wilson

Albion are today facing strong competition for transfer target Marc Wilson after Premier League rivals Stoke joined the race.

Stoke are the latest club to express an interest in the Portsmouth captain, who now looks certain to leave Fratton Park before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The 23-year-old is near the top of the Baggies’ transfer wish-list, as they look to add competition in defensive midfield roles for the remainder of the campaign.

But they now face a fight to land the Irishman with both Stoke – who are reportedly ready to offer striker Dave Kitson as bait to complete a deal – and West Ham both strongly rumoured to be interested.

Reports this morning claiming the Potters had completed a deal are believed to have been premature, but the extra spending power of the Potteries club could well propel them to the head of the queue.

The Baggies have been linked to a host of defensive midfielders throughout the summer and they made an offer for Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote, who has since joined Newcastle in a £3million deal.

Reports yesterday of interest in Ghana international Derek Boateng are wide of the mark, while a move for Senegal star Guirane N’Daw has also been ruled out.

Transfer speculation continued to swirl around the Hawthorns today with the Baggies also linked outlandishly in the French press with a move for World Cup winner David Trezeguet, of Juventus.

The current squad today stepped up their preparations for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool with Nicky Shorey still on stand-by to replace Marek Cech at left-back, if the Slovakia international fails to shake off an ankle injury.

And Shorey is calling for more of the character the team showed in beating Sunderland on Saturday.

He said: “The lads performed really well and we got the win we deserved. We were the better team.

“It was a great show of character.”

Albion defender Leon Barnett has also completed a move to Championship club Norwich on a five-month loan.


  1. 1
    smethwick baggie

    I’m puzzled as to why Stoke are deemed to have more spending power to clinch this deal. Surely they are a similar sized club to us? They’re hardly one of the ‘big four’ are they?

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Romsley Baggie

    Is this bloke really that good? If we miss out, we miss out i suppose. I think we have done some decent business in the window so far and without turning into a JP basher because i personally think he is running the club very very well, we have known we are in the Premier league since April. In my opinion our business mainly should have been done before pre-season started now there is a mad scramble to get the finishing touches done at the eleventh hour? I really am caught between frustration at the business we haven’t done ie 1 striker isn’t enough although PO looks the part and happy with the business we have done, tying contracts up and am happy with the players we have signed. I just hope we can bring in 4 new faces before the window shuts. I honestly believe we need a right back, striker at least 1 if not 2 and a centre half come defensive midfielder. If this business happens i am very hopefull.

    Im keeping the faith, come on Baggies!!!

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Simon

    Smethwick Baggie.

    It’s because their Chairman Peter Coates has put a lot of his own money into the club, as opposed to our Chairman who hasn’t but takes a hefty salary.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    JB

    1. They are bank rolled by Icelandic multi-millionaires.

    We don’t have a sugar daddy so if they can offer more money, good luck to them. They had better hope that there is not another banking crisis in Iceland or Stoke will be heading the way of Hull and Pompey.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    JB

    2. You can only do business when clubs want to sell. with this 25 man squad limited this year there will be moves right at the last minute.

    I too don’t know if Wilson is worth the money or not. However I am happy we have made the right type of signings bearing in mind the squad limits.

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Nottm Baggie

    If Pompey want a striker in part exchange do you think they’d fancy LM?? I think the only reason Stoke may have more money is that have been in the PL for 3 seasons now & have never spent fortunes until this season.

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    DorransLovesBrom

    If Albion want a Portsmouth player then I`d
    take have John Utaka,Marc Wilson looks like
    a decent League 1 player but for 4M I woudlnt
    touch him with a twenty foot bargepole!!!.
    ———————————————-
    MY ALBION 11 FOR LIVERPOOL:
    ———————————————-
    Carson

    Jara Tamas Olsson Shorey

    Brunt Mulumbu S.Reid Morrison

    Dorrans

    Odemwingie.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    Happy_baggie

    I think we should offer £4 million cash or £5 million plus Luke Moore….

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Happy_baggie

    2 – which is more likely….. A) JP and the staff didn’t bother trying to get players until 2 weeks ago or B) they have been in contact with clubs since the end of last season but no-one is selling yet till the market starts moving……

    Its ok saying we need players – but who can we get ?? Which clubs are prepared to sell players without having replacements lined up ???

    We have signed a new keeper, 2 brand new defenders, a new powerful midfielder and a forward – plus resigned 2 loanees, plus tied down ALL our top young stars…. and you still think JP has been sitting on his thumb !!

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    JACK the HAT.

    Unless Stoke or West Ham are going to pay silly money, then ALBION are in with a shout.
    Their facilities aren’t better than ours anyway.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    BoingBoing666

    1 – Its most likely because the media like to put us down at every oppurtunity. i learnt this from my old man many years ago. for instance Ode’s goal was a loose ball struggled its way past defence for a toe poke home, where as if it was stoke it would be a fine ball slotted home precisely. i wouldnt take much notice.

    who else has heard about david trez rumour, it did make me laugh. we didnt lift a finger for bellamy let alone a world class striker. by all means i would LOVE to sign him but i would also love to win the lotto! im looking forward to the trip to scouse, i reckon we could get a point out of this.

    who wants to make a banner for odemwingie
    saying THANKS LOKOMOTIV with a goal in the middle?

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    no1baggiesfan

    Yet again we piddle around over transfers, just give pompey the £5M for him and be done with it.

    Rumors that we offered £3M AND Moore are wide of the mark, Portsmouth said it would take £15M if they HAD to take Moore.

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    Romsley Baggie

    4 JB Thanks for pointing out that clubs will only do business when they want to sell i hadn’t worked that one out for myself! My point was and is if we really want this bloke negotiate, everyone is for Sale it just depends on how much we are willing to offer to make them want to sell. Portsmouth are in no position not to sell players and Marc Wilson has played his last game for them, he will end up at a Premiership Club question is which one so they do want to sell for the right deal.

    Happy, I understand the way football is and understand just as well as you the way JP deals. I also understand that we very rarely conclude much business before the end of the window as the prices go down the more clubs panic as the end of the transfer window is upon them. Let me make it clear if you bothered to read my post, i am happy with the way JP runs our club, just frustrated because we need to do more business. Why is no-one else allowed an opinion on here apart from you? We all have the best interests of the club at heart and undertsand the financial implications and constraints we are under. As things stand a couple of injuries to key players and we will be in trouble.

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Hitchin Baggie

    I think signings so far have been good – we cant spend silly money on players or risk going the same way as Hull, Pompey, Bradford etc. etc. !!

    Banners is a must for Liverpool game – THANKS LOCOMOTIV MOSCOW and a picture of a Goal !!

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    yewtree baggie

    can i just say marc wilson is not worth 4million or 5 million quid, he played well in a poor portsmouth side last year,think we could turn our attention’s to other targets than him. if stoke want him they can have him,if the rumours are true about derek boateng he is much better than marc wilson and he as more quality and experience.
    does anyone no if there is any truth in the albion being linked with david trezeguet

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    UpThePotters

    Lst time I checked there wer no Icelanders anywhere near the Stoke boardroom JB. Perhaps we’re considered a bigger club because we stay in the Prem for more than 1 season at a time.

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    Cyril Randle

    12. No.26,001 Baggies fan. Or should that be 28,004 ? Not sure what the ground capacity is any more but for sure it wouldn’t be a good place to go if you were in charge of the cash. We paid around £3.5million for Moore and you don’t like him so what chance would Wilson stand at £5million ? People at the club are putting in loads of overtime right now to do the best deals and most of us can see how well they’re doing. Give them credit for their work.
    No.3 Simon. You’d do it just as well for free then?

    Report abuse

  18. 18
    great bridge baggie

    i dont think we will ever get rid of luke moore and i dont blame clubs for not wanting him!i think RDM is doing ok with transfers so far,hes not signing players just for the sake of it.

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    solihullbaggie

    portsmouth have stated that they had to raise £12m selling players,and so far raised £8m so that means they want £4m ”simple” by the way kevin boateng scores great goals from outside the box but it seems that we arnt interested in him.im happy with the odem wingie and tchoyi deals,but im thinking that out of the three players that we need we will probably get just one.

    Report abuse

  20. 20
    laughingwolf

    Lets be honest Westham and Stoke are both slightly bigger clubs than albion and are both established in the premier league aswell as offering more money. Newly propmoted clubs struggle to attract players as we have seen from your signings which I do not believe would have been your first choice.

    There is a very strong possibility that Albion will be relegated this season and he would be back to square one, I can see him moving to a club who are likely to be playing at this level for the foreseeable future.

    A scrappy 1-0 win against the side with the worst away record in the league who were missing key players should not take the emphasis off that Albion have not got enough quality to play at this level.

    Report abuse

  21. 21
    Baggiebob

    Portsmouth would sell their cleaner for 1.5m if they could. No point going into a bidding war if it’s for an average player.

    Report abuse

  22. 22
    Ouinton Baggie

    Iam feeling boared so ive come up with a list
    of my least and most funny comedians.
    ———————————————-
    NOT FUNNY:
    Dara O`Briain,Alan Carr,Stephen Fry,
    Eddie Izzard,Bill Bailey,Alan Davies,
    Victoria Wood,Graham Nortom,Al Murray,
    Johnny Vegas,Ricky Gervais,Jo Brand,
    Michael McIntyre.
    ———————————————-
    FUNNY:
    Rik Mayall,Phil Cool,Peter Kay,Lee Evans,
    Matt Lucas,Ruby Wax,Catherine Tate,
    Frank Skinner,Lenny Henry,Russell Brand,
    Jasper Carrot.

    Report abuse

  23. 23
    Morley Wolf

    I know this is off topic from your story but I would like to say the following few words.
    Thank you all you Baggies fans who have put kind words on Matt Murray having to retire. I’d hope (not for a long time) if one of your current players you hold the highest regards possible is unfortunate in having to retire we would also do the same thing.
    Thank You…

    Report abuse

  24. 24
    Scott

    Are we just scouting players for other teams to buy them, not happy we need a striker, midfielder and a defender and I’ll be happy. Fortune or Kenny miller, sidwell or boateng, lescott, or boyatta on loan.

    Report abuse

  25. 25
    smethwick

    All players have their price. If there is one that we really want then we should pay a little over the odds to get him. Don’t know too much about Wilson but he is obviously a main target. We will end up losing him over £500k I reckon. As for Moore he will end up slipping down the leagues like his brother has. Lots of ability but hasn’t got the application.

    Report abuse

  26. 26
    Wall Heath Baggie

    Not over bothered about Wilson, i think Sidwell would be a better bet but his wages may be a problem as he once played for Chelski.
    We need another striker although Trezeguet is a complete fantasy.Still think Jason Roberts could be the answer, although some bloke on here did mention Heskey, which is a bigger no, no, than Djemba, Djemba.

    Report abuse

  27. 27
    THE HOFF BOINGS

    Laughing Wolf…………… very apt ……you and your comments are as usual A JOKE!

    Report abuse

  28. 28
    Happy_baggie

    Romsley Baggie – you are very entitled to your opinions – but if you put them on a discussion forum then be prepared to have them discussed.

    Your opinion is that our business should have been done pre-season (unquote)… well thats great – but its out of our hands. I’m sure RDM would have loved to have had it tied up weeks ago but as you know the market aint working that way, and I am pleased to hear we are still working on things even now.

    I really don’t understand your personal attack – if you don’t want debate – don’t post !!

    Report abuse

  29. 29
    Happy_baggie

    Shadrag – you on the other hand are not entitled to an opinion as you always manage to have the wrong one – byeeeeeee !!!

    Report abuse

  30. 30
    Confused of Tipton

    4) JB. What papers do you read then ? Icelandic money at Stoke ? Yeah right.
    I should turn the page and concentrate on Lord Snooty and his gang.
    Stoke are bigger because they’ve consolidated and built their squad and attendances over a longer period than a side that everybody refers to as THE Yoyo side.
    West Ham are bigger than nobody until they get rid of their debt THE REAL Icelanders ran up. David Sullivan and his Chuckle Brother put in spurious bids for anything that moves,including the Olymmpic Stadium which doesn’t.

    Report abuse

  31. 31
    CantelloRocket 78

    20 loffin’-you talk as if you’re looking down on struggling clubs,like your lot are cruising above them.Amazing the complacency after one whole season in the top flight,you probably class yourself as one of the ‘Big 5′.Talking of struggling,according to reports Everton were using your lot for target practice,no one could believe you grabbed a point with a controversial equaliser.Still,it won’t be long ’til we get our usual six points off you.

    Report abuse

  32. 32
    costa blanca baggie

    Just to let those that are interested to know, a banner against the Lokomotiv racial dig has been discussed at great length for many days now. Hopefully ready for Sunday.

    Report abuse

  33. 33
    JACK the HAT.

    (20)
    lw,
    So wolves are a bigger club, have made better signings, have better players.won’t be relegated, have a better ground. Carry on bigging them up and we’ll keep laughing, wolf.
    Remember the bigger you are the harder you fall.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  34. 34
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    Thankfully some realistic posts on here.
    There’s a Wulfie that attacks us and prints statements that are ballcocks but tries to legitimise them by printing FACT after them. My apologies to him for pinching his idea.

    Blackpool apart. We are for various reasons the paupers of the PL. FACT.

    It’s not every player’s dream to play for WBA. FACT.

    If you offer £5 mill for £3 mill players you will go bankrupt. FACT.

    No matter how much you stamp your feet, you can’t make a club sell a player to you before they’re ready to. FACT.

    The people running our club are not idiots and therefore do not need the simple basics of running a football club to them. FACT.

    We all appreciate the opportunity to read Laughing Wolf’s fair and totally unbiased views on our club as he is truly a genius. FACT.

    Some people may think that some of my FACTS are in FACT a load of ballcocks. Feel free to tell me, I honestly don’t mind anyone disagreeing with me, as Happy says, surely it’s the main purpose of this site.

    Report abuse

  35. 35
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    I cant see wot all the fuss is about,topcat lived in a bin for years,aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  36. 36
    Robin Brittain

    I can’t see either the Albion or Stoke completing a deal for Marc Wilson with a player exchange involved due to the restrictions imposed on Portsmouth by their administration. It is unlikely that Portsmouth can offer any signing on fees and their wage structure will be strictly controlled for any new signings. Anyway I can’t see Kitson, Lawrence or Luke Moore agreeing to join Portsmouth while they are beset with continuing financial problems and remember it was only a short time ago that their players were not getting paid. Just a note about Matt Murray who I think would have been an international keeper barring injuries. Let’s wish him well for the future and hope that he can remain in the game in some capacity.

    Report abuse

  37. 37
    no1baggiesfan

    17 Cyril Randle.

    You obviously know nothing about football Cyril.
    He has several under 21 caps for Ireland and has been called up to the full squad due to his performances last season, a former Man utd trainee.
    Any decent player these days will cost £3M+ if we want to stay up and we want these future stars we have to spend a little, you obviously dont want us to be successful, so you are either out of touch or a dingle in diguise, you dont even know tthe capacity of your own stadium, shame on you, then again, have you ever been ?

    Report abuse

  38. 38
    Warren

    Laughing Wolf

    Would that be the same Sunderland that put 5 past you last season?

    I’ve been on holiday for the last week and my word, what a difference a week makes.

    It’s great to come back to some rational posting (and posters) after some of the tomfoolery on here last week.

    Report abuse

  39. 39
    Warren

    no1baggiesfan

    You can’t know much about these boards if you’re suggesting Cyril is anything but a genuine and thorough Baggie.

    I don’t know Cyril personally, but from reading his posts, I’d bet my life he’s seen more Albion games and knows more about the club than almost anybody else on here.

    By all means dispute the point, but give the bloke the respect he deserves.

    Report abuse

  40. 40
    Romsley Baggie

    Happy, chill out! We are all on the same side. I don’t think you discussed my post more like picked holes in it. I did say i was happy with the business we had done and was happy with the way the club was being run just frustrated at the speed or lack of speed it was happeneing. I apologise if i was a little over sensitive.

    Anyway here is to 3 points at Anfield!!

    Boing Boing

    Report abuse

  41. 41
    Baggiebob

    When the BBC realise they’re paying too much for Alan Hanson’s wisdom they’re got an ideal replacement in laughing wolf. Both strugglers in the tackle department, both take themselves too seriously and finally both live on another planet vis-a-vis offering constructive criticism as far as the Albion go.

    Report abuse

  42. 42
    JACK the HAT.

    (37)

    You are a pitiful deluded dingle, Slouch back to the dark side with your imbecile mutterings. Cyril is unimpeachable and a rock solid BAGGY. Goodbye to a puddled brain.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  43. 43
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    37, i wont even bother replying but i hope an apology is forthcoming to Cyril.

    Report abuse

  44. 44
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    Can anybody explain why in a 60,000 seater stadium ie arsenal Albion have only been given 1,500 tickets, i can understand if it was wolfs as they only have a small band of followers, aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  45. 45
    Wall Heath Baggie

    41 Baggiebob

    Quality post mate, may use some of that down the pub.

    37 No 1 Baggies Fan

    I would like to echo Warren , you are out of order with your comments about Cyril’s loyalty to the Albion, i do not always agree with him and indeed he told me off when i was Greek !!!! but he is 100% Baggie.

    Report abuse

  46. 46
    Robin Brittain

    Just heard that Fortune has rejoined from Celtic. Great news , he’s a class player and should blend well with Odemwingie . I wonder if this means a move for Roman Bednar ? .

    Report abuse

  47. 47
    Wall Heath Baggie

    WARREN

    When i was Greek , we crossed swords on the transfer policy as promised all i can say is that i was wrong and you were right, if we have done enough time will tell but at least RDM as been given a chance to keep us up. I am eating humble pie as i write.

    Report abuse

  48. 48
    NYBaggie

    No. 12 and 37. First of all your business acumen is sadly lacking. ‘Just give Pompey 5 million and be done with it’ is the sort of hair brain approach that Leeds, Portsmouth, Hull etc etc previously adopted and look what happened to them. Er, no thanks.

    Secondly and far more seriously, personally attacking someone like Cyril who is blue and white through and through and has been for far longer than anyone else on these boards is disgusting and totally unacceptable.

    Judging by your poor grammar, the school holiday’s can’t end soon enough.

    Report abuse

  49. 49
    Warren

    Wall Heath/Nick

    That’s very honest of you. I hope some of the other JP-sceptics can replicate your humility and give some credit for the last couple of weeks’ spending where in the past they’ve freely given criticism.

    At least now we can all get behind the team and give it a shot of establishing ourselves rather than bickering between ourselves about ambition etc.

    I’m sure we’ll cross swords again, but it’s all fair game on here I think, we all want the same thing!! Come on you Baggies!!

    Report abuse

  50. 50
    Cyril Randle

    Thank you for coming to my little show tonight and I love you all!
    45 Wall Heath. ‘Told you off’? Would I do that? I might gently point out the error of your ways, but.. and when were you ‘Greek’?
    Would that be Nick the Greek in disguise?
    Warren, Jack, Terry, TA.
    37. Spend a few hours on ebay. Watch the auctions go from 99p to £100 or so, at the last minute. Portsmouth need to screw every penny they can to stay afloat, BECAUSE THEY SPENT MONEY THE WAY YOU SUGGEST WE SHOULD. I don’t give a tinker’s cuss how many under 21 caps Wilson’s got, nor that he played for Man.U. under 8s. Djemba squared was also one of theirs and hardly a raging success anywhere. We have professionals running MY club, West Bromwich Albion just so that you are in no doubt and I’d rather trust them to spend the cash thank you. And no, I’m not sure of the capacity of the Hawthorns anymore.
    I’ve been watching Baggies before your Dad was a gleam in your Granddad’s eye. I think most Wolves supporters are great as are Villa and Blues, (except when we play ‘em).
    If you read on here regularly you would know I have but two pet hates. The PA system volume and the ‘can’t be seen’ stadium clock.
    Now that won’t leave you much room to manoeuvre so I’ll admit, I don’t go to away matches too often anymore. Over to you.

    Report abuse

  51. 51
    Cyril Randle

    48.NYBaggie TA also.

    Report abuse

  52. 52
    Wall Heath Baggie

    Cyril

    No fooling you is there ? indeed you have guessed my former identity, changed it for reasons i will not bore you with.
    Here’s to a good season and the lads stopping up.
    All the best, Nick.

    Report abuse

  53. 53
    Cyril Randle

    Nick 52. Back in about 1936 or 37, Great Bridge Street Methodist Chapel took us on an outing to Wall Heath. Can’t remember much about it except we played on some grass, probably a park. Do you have a park? I’ve never been since. Maybe I’ll do a car tour soon hey? The houses on Great Bridge Street were all flattened years ago thank heaven, but about 5 years ago I had a look at where we lived and the very high wall up the back yard was still there. Many an old caseball been banged off that.

    Report abuse

  54. 54
    no1baggiesfan

    NY Baggie, I did not attack Cyril at all, try reading what I wrote, again, maybe then you will understand it.
    Cyril, I doubt very much that you have been around that long, my old man is nearly 70, I doubt you are much older, if you are.
    I will apologise for accusing you of been a dingle Cyril, but I stand by my other points, If we WANT these players, we HAVE to pay for them if they are decent. YES Pompey are in the brown stuff and trying to get in the black, but quality players cost money, maybe he’s not quite worth 5M in your opinion, but if we want him thats what we are going to have to pay.
    I have defended JP for years the way he has run this club, but our messing about in the transfer market in previous years has made our club (and some of our managers) look stupid.
    If I ever meet you Cyril I will buy you a pint and shake your hand.

    PS. We didnt actually pay 3M for Moore, but thats what Villa told us he was worth when we screwed them for Davis, who would have thought he was worth £10M :)

    Report abuse

  55. 55
    Cyril Randle

    54.No.1baggiesfan. We’ve cleared the air, had a good, aggressive debate with loads of comments flying. We’re happy with that and E&S probably are too. This board is a gem and I haven’t seen anyone else’s to beat it.
    If we do meet up, a small appleade or lemonade mate. I can’t drink beer, never could. What an admission from a son of foundry workers, coal miners and glass blowers. My Granny Oliver used to say, “Cyril, yow’ll never be a real mon me babby cuz yow dow like beer”. And then she’d drink ‘the real men’, sons, cousins, in-laws all under the table. Quietly, gently and totally!

    Report abuse

  56. 56
    JACK the HAT.

    (54)
    You are stating: We took Villa for a £13.5m
    ride for Curtis Davies?. Blimey ( Bind me ).

    Cyril,
    I lived in Coseley. I was born in a back to back house. Sure enough we had a big wall up our backyard. Over this wall was the local Bobbies house and peering over the wall was the local air raid siren. It used to scare me to death when it shouted. I still like an odd
    pint or two.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse



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