Di Matteo: We are gunning for signings

Thursday 27th January 2011, 11:29AM GMT.

Roberto Di Matteo today insisted Albion are pulling out all the stops in the transfer market as the clock ticks down to the end of the January window.

The Baggies are among just three Premier League clubs yet to conduct any January business involving their 25-man squad.

But officials remain confident they will land the new striker Di Matteo wants before the window slams shut at 11pm on Monday.

And the Italian, who missed out on John Carew earlier this month, said: “It is a work in progress.

“We don’t want to comment or speculate on anything. We are trying to get things done and working away. “I’ve always said that I wasn’t going to do anything just for the sake of it. There is no point in that.

“It’s anybody’s guess what will happen but we are trying our hardest to do everything in our power.

“There is a lot that isn’t under our control so difficult to answer the question as to what will happen.”

Di Matteo also insisted Nicky Shorey is staying at Albion after speculation linking him with a return to Nottingham Forest.

“Nothing is going on with Nicky. There’s no truth in it, said Di Matteo.

Shorey enjoyed a spell on loan at the City Ground from Villa last season.

1
JACK the HAT.

January 27, 2011 at 11:58 am

Roberto,
Thanks for keeping us in the picture. There isn’t any sense in letting everyone know our intentions. That’s why we know most of the media reports are speculation, or agents using our name to assist in
drumming up interest in one of their charges. Our club will let us know when the dotted like has been signed. Again thanks.

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

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2
BoingBoing666

January 27, 2011 at 12:13 pm

best way to be! no point doing the hard work for a bigger team to come along and sneak them, its happened throughout our history.
we should keep The Godfathers ‘Rule of Silence’ in place.

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3
Boing-Boing-Baggie-Bill

January 27, 2011 at 12:14 pm

There seems to be a few names getting mentioned today. So fingers crossed, that something might happen before our transfer window gets boarded up!

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4
baggie

January 27, 2011 at 12:37 pm

Please Please Please do not sign Diouf, seen that rumour on the internet. The man is a disgrace and should never ever wear the blue and white stripes.

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5
Wombourne Baggie

January 27, 2011 at 12:43 pm

One of the names mentioned is El Hadj Diouf, I am sorry but I would rather be relegated than see our club associated with him!

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6
Warren

January 27, 2011 at 12:51 pm

Has anybody else read Ewerthon?

Brazilian international striker, so can’t be rubbish…….although there was Afonso Alves.

I think the key is ‘we won’t sign anyone for the sake it’. We all hope we do, but it’s got to be better than what we’ve got or else we have to soldier on with what we’ve got (which isn’t that bad by the way).

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7
Cyril Randle

January 27, 2011 at 1:03 pm

Diouf seems to carry a plank-sized chip on his shoulder. Question: Suppose he was the person to keep us in the Prem. How many would ‘sell their souls’ and how many would ‘rather be relegated’ ?
Myself, I just wonder what sort of reception he’d get because overall, our supporters are tolerant and fair-minded.

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8
baggie

January 27, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Diouf is a disgrace i could not and would not cheer him. If he had only made 1 mistake fair enough. but he is constantly showing us that he is an unpleasent human being. I don’t think he is that great a player either.

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9
dudley baggie

January 27, 2011 at 1:24 pm

me and my 5 year old both have season tickets never in a million years do ee want that scum bag at the albion hes a discusting human being

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10
Foxie baggie

January 27, 2011 at 1:35 pm

How bout bringing Gera back?!

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11
Hall Green Baggie

January 27, 2011 at 1:40 pm

I wouldn’t be very happy if Diouf joined but I wouldn’t throw my toys out of the pram either. I’d wait until he spat on someone and THEN throw a paddy.

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12
CantelloRocket 78

January 27, 2011 at 1:48 pm

7 Cyril-

In last month’s Blackburn home game,Diouf was guilty of cynical fouls,play-acting,and mouthing off to the Ref.In the end,I couldn’t take any more,so I jumped up and shouted abuse at him myself,basically telling him he was a disgrace to the game.He turned to the crowd,gave a cheesy grin,and sarcastically applauded us.
If we had a choice of him or relegation,I would choose to go down.You can always bounce back and get promotion,but if you ‘sell your soul’,you end up with a lifetime of feeling guilty.

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13
Wall Heath Baggie

January 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm

All those Supporters who would rather be relegated than Albion sign Diouf are a total disgrace and should never go to the Hawthorns again . Personally i would dance with devil to keep us up.

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14
SC Baggie

January 27, 2011 at 2:21 pm

I just feel the top table have a few irons in the fire but rightly so cant disclose them. We are a smaller club any any indication of a possible signing sets the sharks off. However like everyone else I look at the transfers every 30 mins or so and will be gutted if nothing comes about. But its pointless signing players no better than we have….just give them a fiar chance….not 10 mins when all is lost.

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15
AMS

January 27, 2011 at 2:25 pm

I hope those that are against Diouf coming are also against shady and equally reprehensible businessmen taking over from peace with loads of money but no respect for the fans or the history of the club.
You can’t want JP to sell to one of these guys and not want Diouf.
Personally I’d rather not have either but there is a large part of me that is resigned to the necessity for success at this level sometimes meaning your principles and ethics have to be compromised somewhat.
Diouf is a pest of a player in opposition half of the pitch but I’m not sure he’s what we need in our squad. And that’s before we look at his attitude.
PS On Shorey he enjoyed a loan at Forest last season when he was out of favour at Villa. There is nothing to suggest he is after a move. However more performances from Cech like Sunday and he will be wanting out if RDM doesn’t find him a staring place .

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16
Chris Cross

January 27, 2011 at 2:36 pm

How can anyone be interested in Diouf? His career has spiralled and the only time you hear about him is when its for the wrong reasons. I would never boo anyone who puts on an Albion shirt, however with us trying to bring in kids for a quid and promote ourselves to the younger generation I think this would be totally wrong, His behaviour as a premier footballer is disgusting !!

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17
Jonah Jones

January 27, 2011 at 2:52 pm

As per usual, we are waiting until the very last moment to see who is available to help bail us out. All too familiar I’m afraid and reminds me of the situation we were in years ago, when, desperate for a striker, we looked on the last day to see who was available and ended up buying the only player who was left, Robbie Earnshaw for £3m. Says it all for me. Lets be a tad more positive and proactive, however I fear the sands of time are against us. Having said that if Gera is available for £750k, we’d be mad not to…

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18
CantelloRocket 78

January 27, 2011 at 2:55 pm

14 WHB-

It’s your choice mate,but don’t forget,if you want to dance with the devil,there’s only one way to do it-and that’s to ‘go to hell’.

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19
mancbaggie

January 27, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Just a comment on Diouf as a person… I was on the M62 a couple of years back in the outside lane overtaking at about 80. Diouf was behind me, at a distance of maybe 2ft. Nice man, great driver.

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20
Andover Baggie

January 27, 2011 at 3:03 pm

Truth is I don’t like or rate Diouf. However, he wouldn’t give us anything we don’t already have, namely, strikers who don’t score enough goals and too many red cards.

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21
1954 baggie

January 27, 2011 at 3:04 pm

Discussion on Diouff pointless club we dont sign this type we are a family club !! If we are to get anyone theyl be the least wanted
suprised RDM hasnt used his italian connection
believe we pinned our hopes on Carew.Too many clubs chasing to few anyway whats wrong with
more involvement for Simon Cox a prolific scorer hardly been given a chance also Roman
would be a gladiator to use mad micks philosphy theyll put in a shift
Fans must create cup tie atmosphere when Wigan
and West Ham come 6 points from these will keep them in bottom 3 who will be the other one.

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22
The Real Bully Hoo.

January 27, 2011 at 3:09 pm

13 Maxie Hyde.
I’m afraid I’m a disgrace.
I see football as a sort of reflection of life. In life you’d like everyone to be lovely but they’re not and so you lower your standards and accept the less than perfect.
But even in life you need to have standards that you won’t go below. Mine is cruelty and bullying, if I see them I challenge them whoever is carrying them out.

Ignoring all his other antics, this is the ‘person’ that screamed abuse at a QPR player as he was stretchered off the pitch with a double fracture to his leg. What a wonderful human being. Do we really want someone like this wearing our shirt?
As I’ve said in a previous thread, I’d seriously consider not attending if that happens, not something I say lightly.

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23
quinton baggie

January 27, 2011 at 3:19 pm

its all paper talk dont get your knickers in a twist.

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24
Wall Heath Baggie

January 27, 2011 at 3:21 pm

I have a feeling that if Diouf was to get the winner against the Wolves, his past would quickly be forgotten . Anyway it’s only paper talk , return your season tickets if he signs , but i bet none of you will.

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25
CantelloRocket 78

January 27, 2011 at 3:26 pm

15 AMS-

It’s a personal thing,but part of the attraction for me is the fact that Albion are a ‘Family’ club,with a proud tradition.It’s not just about going on a pitch trying to win a football match,it’s also about the people that are part of that club,the social and community side of things (like here?).
I used to work with a guy who was proud to say ‘I’ve got no conscience’,and he’d do whatever it took to get what he wanted,regardless of how it affected anyone else.I’m afraid that’s not for me.
I was born about 100yds. from the Hawthorns,and supported Albion all my life,but if dubious Businessmen took over,and so called ‘unsavoury’ players were being signed,I’d have no hesitation in walking away from it all tomorrow.

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26
John Dillinger

January 27, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Diouf past isnt and doesnt involve us, so i dont understand what all the fuss is about.

Anyone who reads the papers knows of dozens of footballers who are far worse people.

That said he hasnt been anygood since the world cup for senegal.

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27
Wall Heath Baggie

January 27, 2011 at 3:37 pm

25

Football is about winning , no one remembers the also rans . Anyway just off to find my asbestos suit as it will be hot where i am going.

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28
CantelloRocket 78

January 27, 2011 at 4:01 pm

26 John D.-

You’re right,I doubt if any of us are angels,but we hear of many pro. footballers that have shocking and disgraceful private lives.And kids that love football look up to these guys as their heroes.Sad,innit?

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29
StreetlyBaggie

January 27, 2011 at 4:25 pm

17,Jonah Jones
Not as bad as January 31st 2006 when we were 3 points clear of the relegation zone(Thats a coincidence)and we were all waiting for those signings to keep us up and what happens we sell Horsefield & Earnshaw for a combined 4.2 million and yes we signed nobody.I have a long memory for all the JP fanatics but I aint criticising him this season.I honestly think that a couple of signings will come to frution as we have let Miller go but there again i dont think he has done 90 minutes in the whole season so far so he wont be missed.

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30
kev in mallorca

January 27, 2011 at 4:55 pm

Max
You can take Max out of Wall Heath but you can’t take the Wall Heath out of Max,this is not an admission of defeat,just a little set back.
Have you taken the daily medicine I prescribed and remember I said it was necessary to take a daily dose sperm whale calls for at least 1hr.
I think on this one Max I can’t agree,he’s the same sort of detestable player as Graham Roberts and as much as I love the Albion I would rather soldier on without,what ever the cost.
In our history we’ve had some really hard players but all ways fair,I did find Hopkins distasteful which I did tell him after he got sent off at Bradford once[I think it was Bradford] and he tried to climb the fence to get me so lets hope it’s paper talk,for all our sakes and to hasten your complete recovery.

AMS.
The same goes for your point about ownership,I for one would not renew my season ticket,as much as I dislike JP personally,if we had the likes of Sullivan,Gold,Hicks,Gillett or the like.
Adeu

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31
1954 baggie

January 27, 2011 at 5:02 pm

If we do bring anyone in no doubt he will be
short term and because EDM plays 451 he will
deputise for Peter I rate Odemwinge we were
lucky to get him cant believe no other club was alerted to his availability can Dan find
another gem? Hopefully Chris Woods and Ish can
meet standards required Ish close to scoring
for QPR on tv if he stays injury free we will
see him back terrorising defenders. Lets hope
we survive no money thats our problem.

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32
boy from the REAL black country

January 27, 2011 at 5:19 pm

The Diouf debate on would he be welcomed by supporters or not is quite interesting, but forget that for a moment, and ask yourself would he actually do us any good? I am 100% convinced he would be a total waste of money and time, he’s over-rated and has done nothing in the last 5 years! Would you want Lee Hughes back? Albion mad, and certain to get goals for us even in the prem, but taking him back after his past? Some on here only last week said they wouldn’t mind us going for Curtis Davis! Would this be the same Curtis Davis who threatened to go on strike if he didn’t get his own way, and move somewhere else? …Short memories!

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33
BrierleyHillBaggie

January 27, 2011 at 5:23 pm

Hope there’s nothing in this Diouf rumour.
Don’t want him in our colours,disgrace to society.
Sure RDM and DA are looking for the piece we need on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Thats why I was against Carew,thought his ego and wallett would unsettle the harmony in the camp.

BAGGIESBAGGIESBAGGIES

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34
sid

January 27, 2011 at 5:29 pm

diouf or not, we need a striker, all rdm has to do is manage the bloke, tell him of what he expects on the pitch and off it, step out of line, and you will be dealt with, a new club , so could be a fresh start, and if he bangs em in then thats good enough

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35
JACK the HAT.

January 27, 2011 at 5:48 pm

Lets keep our minds on football, not idiots. Eh.

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

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36
The Real Bully Hoo.

January 27, 2011 at 6:44 pm

Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting. The club shop had better increase the order for shirt letters if we get him.

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37
WBAlex

January 27, 2011 at 7:07 pm

If Albion are seriously interested in Gera, and I hope they are, then they should go for him now. Blackpool are reportedly after him, but everyone knows that they are waiting to do a deal for Charlie Adam. So Albion, don’t wait for that to happen.
On the subject of Diouff, the guy’s track record and attitude is abysmal, and I would not wish to see him in Albion colours.
As a football club, it’s not just about winning. You’ve got to be proud of who you are, and what you stand for!

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38
Ben

January 27, 2011 at 8:27 pm

Wall heath baggie, that speaks volumes about the kind of human being you are,

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39
Shropshirebaggie

January 27, 2011 at 10:31 pm

Diouf is bad news, I wouldn’t want to see him at the Albion. He’s a decent enough player but would create an atmosphere in the dressing room.

I’m not saying I’d chuck my season ticket away but I would not be happy. In any case, I’m dubious about whether or not there’s any truth in the rumour, just agents being mischeivous.

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40
SIR TERRY BAGGIE

January 27, 2011 at 11:04 pm

24 WHB, i wouldent return my season ticket if he signed but i wudent go to anymore away games,apart from sunderland cuz its free coach,and dingles cuz we alwiz win,and newcastle for the party n ive already booked hotel,and brum cuz its close,and spurs cuz i know a nice young lady steward there who likes to boing,and stoke cuz i love tom jones and we juw a win,and man city cuz Warren will buy me a pint,aye boing boing

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41
SIR TERRY BAGGIE

January 27, 2011 at 11:05 pm

Wheres Baggiebird i love her aye boing boing

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42
Cyril Randle

January 28, 2011 at 11:08 am

Sir Tez, I notice you missed out Reading. Was that because I got all the cuddles there from their lady stewards?

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43
JACK the HAT.

January 29, 2011 at 11:42 am

(26)
Dillinger,
His past does involve us, this is what we use as a guide as to the players character.

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

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