Albion blog: The 'Not So Magic' Roundabout
Once again we find ourselves in the throes of an immense struggle to navigate a difficult transfer window...writes Albion blogger Duncan Hodgkissmore
You can fully understand the frustrations of Tony Pulis concerning the matter.
On one hand he is trying to assemble a squad capable of what must be our collective goal, to achieve a mid-table position. This, following what will be six successive seasons in the Premier League, plus significant investment and the expectations on Pulis and his team.
By the time the Stoke City game comes around, we will be four league games into a new season and the window will still be open. This does present a ludicrous situation, particularly for a 'hands on' Manager such as Pulis, whose style and focus centres on the philosophy that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. His reputation has been built on it.
It is, of course, the same for everyone but this can only serve to the detriment of the game itself.
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From our point of view it has been the most disruptive window yet, certainly in my time as a fan, spanning 35 years plus.
We have seen constant speculation about Berahino, a derisory bid aimed at undermining our stance and unsettling him, to the point of a transfer request. Let's not underestimate the machinations of the Redknapps , throwing their two-penneth in at given opportunities, plus the undoubted influence of Harry Kane, Saido's strike partner in the U-21's.
You can imagine the dialogue between Berahino and Kane being filtered back to Daniel Levy, who is reportedly as shrewd as Mr Peace. This has been reflected in their opening offer, the deliberate stalling of the second offer, perhaps safe in the knowledge we are keener to sell now that Berahino has requested a transfer.
It seems very much like a game of Craps with Spurs holding the loaded dice. An interesting side note being Kane's 'I know nothing statement' less than a week ago.
Subsequently we were deprived of Saido's services against Chelsea and we're unlikely to see him again in a Baggies shirt. On that note we thank him for his services and wish him well.
Other disruptions have included Myhill's form being clearly affected by confirmed goalkeeping targets, Lescott's form and omission and perhaps others in our usually solid back line.
Much the same can be said about our potential targets and ones that we have bid for or expressed an interest in. Clubs have a tendency (and rightly so in business) to hold out for the best deal possible. We have already heard the rumblings of disruptions at Forest and Cardiff respectively. Hence the not so magic roundabout. Although I'm confident Zebedee will still be boinging, amongst others.
Pulis makes the point about other players, who will have been briefed that they are not part of his first team plans, being eager to play football also. The limitations of the window, and its late closure meaning they too are missing out on valuable game time with new clubs.
I think it's time to have a good look at the transfer window and to end this farcical situation, four league games into a new season cannot continue.
One last point I'd like to make is the somewhat contradictory stance taken by some fans concerning Berahino and Olsson. Quite a lot are wading in with 'disloyal', and other less savoury comments, towards Saido yet are also calling for Olsson to be chopped and sold.
Olsson has served us brilliantly for the peak years of his career (8 in fact), and at 32 still has some left to give. Let's not be so hasty to judge and let's show him the loyalty and commitment he has shown us over the years.
