Three gone in a week!

11 July 2007

"Utility player" Steve Watson has followed Diomansy Kamara and Jason Koumas out of the door at the Hawthorns. The 33 year old has joined Sheffield Wednesday, where he spent several months on loan last season, on a free transfer. Watson joined Albion from Everton in 2005, also on a free transfer, and made 44 appearances for us - scoring once.

The move, which follows the confirmation of Jason Koumas' departure to Wigan Athletic, will, at least, free some of the wage bill to allow players to be brought in by Tony Mowbray. However, fans expecting to see all of the transfer income - quoted as "over 11 million" - spent on players may well be disappointed; some of that will only be paid on the basis of appearances and performance, some will go in sell-on clauses to their previous clubs and some will be lost in tax. In addition, failure to achieve promotion this season will see a drastic fall in the club's income as the parachute payments run out, and some of the income from those transfers may well be held in reserve to ensure that the club can survive if the unthinkable happens.

This season really could be "make or break" time for Albion.

Previous Stories:

  09 July 2007:  Koumas bid accepted

  09 July 2007:  Kamara signs for Fulham

  14 June 2007:  The new season beckons....

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