Birch's Blog: It's Miller time

Sports Journalist Craig Birch discusses the merits of Albion striker Ishamel Miller in his first online blog.

As much as Albion fans would not like to entertain the prospect of relegation in their first season back in the top-flight, if that did become a reality most of the Baggies would point to one problem.

One of the biggest questions among folk down at the Hawthorns all season has been whether the team ultimately have the firepower to stay in the Premier League.

They remain one of the lowest scorers in the table so far, although they are from a defensive side, with Tony Mowbray's men widely regarded as one of those that will try to play football.

When that happens, who inevitably gets the blame? The strikers. Or, in this case, Roman Bednar, Luke Moore and the subject of this blog, Ishamel Miller.

'Big Ish' has picked a difficult time to be the spearhead of the Albion strike force, especially with some fans still smarting from the departure of one of the deadliest finishers around in Kevin Phillips.

Effectively as new to the Premier League as Albion sre, Miller has drifted in and out of the team as club and player adapt to the top flight.

In the midst of this, he was maligned by teammate Roman Bednar - who needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut - after 'going it alone' against Middlesbrough.

He finally had an answer to his critics when on as a sub at Newcastle, scoring his first Premier League goal in the process. A thunderbolt against Blackburn followed.

All of a sudden, it is Miller rather than Bednar who looks like he may be the answer to Albion's problems, although a thankless evening at Anfield has swelled momentum somewhat.

Now there is no doubt that a striker is needed to be brought to the Hawthorns in the transfer window. Three strikers is not enough anyway you divvy it up, so that is not up for debate.

But if a striker comes in - or even two as manager Tony Mowbray has suggested - should Miller be relegated to the role of back up? Certainly not.

In my eyes, Miller could become a real asset for Albion, if he is allowed time to grow and develop. People seem to forget that he is just 21 and will blow hot and cold, but if not persevered with over time will never be the finished article.

Granted, there are areas of his game that will never be any better. Granted, he does not use his strengths to full effect some of the time.

If he can sort the latter, how good would he be? Players with power and pace will always cause problems for defenders. Can Bednar or Moore really have the same effect?

Miller reminds me a lot of Emile Heskey as a young player at Leicester. A man mountain of raw energy, flawed at times but with the natural ability to haul a promoted side up the table with sheer impact.

Heskey currently resides as a coveted England centre-forward, such as his game evolved, so what can Miller achieve?

The impact that Miller had when he first came to the club can happen again, when the player finds his feet fully.

If that happens, Albion could have more of an asset on their hands than many would think.