The first man to look out for was always going to be between Mulumbu or Yacob, those that know me know I have a massive soft spot for Claudio as I believe he does such an underrated job within the squad mopping up so well and given he cost nothing I do truly believe he was the best value for money signing made by anyone last season.But Yacob picked up more accolades throughout the season from fans than Mulumbu so I have decided that Mulumbu is the one I will go with here. Many will already know Yuss and have seen him play against their side however watching him week in week out has been a pleasure for many baggies.
When Mowbray signed him on loan he was an unknown, lost in the PSG reserves and injured, still we went ahead and signed him permanently 6 months after for 250k, what a bargain that was. As a box to box midfielder I don’t see many better outside of the top 7 and he could certainly be a part of some inside of that and that is why the new deal he has just signed is massive for the club given his peak years should now be spent inside of The Hawthorns.
The terrier like work he does, closing down with his partner Yacob is admirable, his spirit and hard-hitting nature is fantastic and just what we need in the middle of the park to allow others to roam free, then he goes and supports the attack, around the edge of the box, ready to either recycle play or have a shot himself.
He is such a member to have within the camp as well giving off a good vibe and a player that could’ve gone onto a ‘bigger’ club to play fewer games and win things decided not to as he saw something good with what he had, the progression from the club he was with, the ambition lead him to stay at a place where he is loved by hoards.
Billy Jones
Billy, he cost us nothing which is astonishing when you look at him now, any player that has played in the Crewe academy is a good one and when Preston were relegated we snapped up with Roy Hodgson seeing the opportunity to get a backup to Steven Reid.
Reidy had a bad spell of injuries last season though and Clarke was forced to give Billy a run of games, something he hadn’t had in the top flight before and with pressure on he came out the other end a much better player. I’ve seen Billy at his best I remember a Boxing Day 0-0 against the Man City side that won the league, he was fantastic that day, won everything and kept in balance so well.
That’s not saying I haven’t seen a winger skin him I have, Fulham away last season was a horrid time although his teammates were lacking he was done up like a Kipper throughout, it was the consistency that was needed and eventually found as he developed on leaps and bounds.
He won’t be knocking on the England door but the way he bombs forward and can produce a Cryuff turn to get inside the box is a great attacking outlet for the side to have, it’s a feature of our play now, you know down the right side Billy can produce and get an assist or even a goal (Newcastle at home was a great moment for all when he scored!)
I can’t say whether he or Reid will be the starter in the Right Back berth, there is reason for both to be in the squad come Southampton at home but if you want to send a signal of attacking intent out there then Billy starting will just send a little physiological message to the opposing full back and winger that they have to be alert and on their game when the ball is down that side because he can most certainly create as good as a midfielder and suck players into the ball to allow others to be free.
Graham Dorrans
Going out on a limb here, in a sense. It’s a massive year for the Scot now, after he, almost single handily won promotion under Roberto Di Matteo he took a nosedive with personal issues arising and football becoming less important for him.
Last season though he showed signs of a revival, he did want out in January after limited game time but with players out and other circumstances he played and did a good job in the midfield. He has more recently been forced wide in competitive games whereas before he was more of a CAM player who had a creative spark and it is that spark that The Hawthorns would adore to see back.
What’s good to see is the dead ball expert looks lively this pre season, he and James Morrison have been given licence to roam, one wide and other through the middle rotating throughout, this movement has caused sides issues because they are unsure how to pass a player off onto the next defender.
Dorrans is fit which helps, clearly worked in the summer and looks prepared for the new season , you never want to give a player of his ability time and space else he will punish you. He can hit the corners if you don’t close him down and should he get the nod this season in games Clarke will be keen to see him find and make space to get the shots off we know he can produce.
He, like Billy is no guaranteed starter. That is something that is fascinating about this squad of players, they’re flexible, versatile and unpredictable. They all have preferred positions but will do a job in so many areas meaning you could play 4 formations with the players and different personal in there still doing a job of the same quality of the last.
I’m taking nothing away from the Ben Foster’s and Gareth McAuley’s of this side, they have been consistent solid performers since arrival and have taken accolades becoming more known, I tried to go a different way with this. Players like Sadio Berahino, George Thorne and Craig Dawson have potential to break through should they not go out on loan this term. Exciting times to be a baggie!
When Mowbray signed him on loan he was an unknown, lost in the PSG reserves and injured, still we went ahead and signed him permanently 6 months after for 250k, what a bargain that was. As a box to box midfielder I don’t see many better outside of the top 7 and he could certainly be a part of some inside of that and that is why the new deal he has just signed is massive for the club given his peak years should now be spent inside of The Hawthorns.
The terrier like work he does, closing down with his partner Yacob is admirable, his spirit and hard-hitting nature is fantastic and just what we need in the middle of the park to allow others to roam free, then he goes and supports the attack, around the edge of the box, ready to either recycle play or have a shot himself.
He is such a member to have within the camp as well giving off a good vibe and a player that could’ve gone onto a ‘bigger’ club to play fewer games and win things decided not to as he saw something good with what he had, the progression from the club he was with, the ambition lead him to stay at a place where he is loved by hoards.
Billy Jones
Billy, he cost us nothing which is astonishing when you look at him now, any player that has played in the Crewe academy is a good one and when Preston were relegated we snapped up with Roy Hodgson seeing the opportunity to get a backup to Steven Reid.
Reidy had a bad spell of injuries last season though and Clarke was forced to give Billy a run of games, something he hadn’t had in the top flight before and with pressure on he came out the other end a much better player. I’ve seen Billy at his best I remember a Boxing Day 0-0 against the Man City side that won the league, he was fantastic that day, won everything and kept in balance so well.
That’s not saying I haven’t seen a winger skin him I have, Fulham away last season was a horrid time although his teammates were lacking he was done up like a Kipper throughout, it was the consistency that was needed and eventually found as he developed on leaps and bounds.
He won’t be knocking on the England door but the way he bombs forward and can produce a Cryuff turn to get inside the box is a great attacking outlet for the side to have, it’s a feature of our play now, you know down the right side Billy can produce and get an assist or even a goal (Newcastle at home was a great moment for all when he scored!)
I can’t say whether he or Reid will be the starter in the Right Back berth, there is reason for both to be in the squad come Southampton at home but if you want to send a signal of attacking intent out there then Billy starting will just send a little physiological message to the opposing full back and winger that they have to be alert and on their game when the ball is down that side because he can most certainly create as good as a midfielder and suck players into the ball to allow others to be free.
Graham Dorrans
Going out on a limb here, in a sense. It’s a massive year for the Scot now, after he, almost single handily won promotion under Roberto Di Matteo he took a nosedive with personal issues arising and football becoming less important for him.
Last season though he showed signs of a revival, he did want out in January after limited game time but with players out and other circumstances he played and did a good job in the midfield. He has more recently been forced wide in competitive games whereas before he was more of a CAM player who had a creative spark and it is that spark that The Hawthorns would adore to see back.
What’s good to see is the dead ball expert looks lively this pre season, he and James Morrison have been given licence to roam, one wide and other through the middle rotating throughout, this movement has caused sides issues because they are unsure how to pass a player off onto the next defender.
Dorrans is fit which helps, clearly worked in the summer and looks prepared for the new season , you never want to give a player of his ability time and space else he will punish you. He can hit the corners if you don’t close him down and should he get the nod this season in games Clarke will be keen to see him find and make space to get the shots off we know he can produce.
He, like Billy is no guaranteed starter. That is something that is fascinating about this squad of players, they’re flexible, versatile and unpredictable. They all have preferred positions but will do a job in so many areas meaning you could play 4 formations with the players and different personal in there still doing a job of the same quality of the last.
I’m taking nothing away from the Ben Foster’s and Gareth McAuley’s of this side, they have been consistent solid performers since arrival and have taken accolades becoming more known, I tried to go a different way with this. Players like Sadio Berahino, George Thorne and Craig Dawson have potential to break through should they not go out on loan this term. Exciting times to be a baggie!
ASH
Ash is a fan of Premier League club, West Bromwich Albion. He is also Head Admin of the huge football organisation, Transfer News central. Find him on Twitter at either @TactialAreaAsh or @TransferNewsCen.