We are in absolute desperate need for a commanding centre half

[Hitman34]

you want centerback, you want big, you want comanding , you want young and athletic?

I GIVE YOU.............................
















Abdoulaye Ba

6'4

21 years old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0im6A4uFvI

[Rsonist]

Been reading some West Brom forums (checking on Foster!) and they seem to be absolutely gutted Jonas Olsson is moving on now his contract has expired.

OK he's no Chris Samba but on a free transfer Olsson certainly fits the bill for the type of defender we're looking for - and there aren't too many of those about. Good goalscoring record from the back too.

[hal9thou]

I think most people recognise that is priority no 1, not being able to sort that in the window nearly cost us our EPL place. Nothing else matters as much imo. We also need a striker under 30 with a bit of natural pace as we don't really have a front two, far too much dead wood in that department. The options are to either to go one up top, or promote a surplus midfielder to play alongside Cisse, because Zamora etc don't have any pace, and you need some speed up top from somewhere in a 4/4/2. (In a 4/5/1 you need the pace in the middle of the park moving forward to support the front man, Hughes favours 4/4/2 but one of the two must have speed to burn.)

If the club is serious about a GK, CB and striker we have to unload surplus bodies, the Warnock legacy basically. Which did its job lovely jubbly, but the club has to move forward.

[Shania]

We need a tall defender who can be a threat on set pices and corners as well. Hangeland and Samba feel these brackets IMO. That´s an aspect of the game we still need to improve.

[W12hoops]

I don't believe how people can suggest Roger Johnson.... He was terrible last year and got Wolves relagated. Would prefer Fitz in front of him actually. I agree that we need a commanding CB, and I think Chris Samba would be the ideal answer but maybe not the financially correct one. Hughes in co-operation with Mike Rigg signed Kompany for £6m and has turned out to be the best CB available. I won't be surprised if we sign 1 or 2 unknown players who turns out to be fantastic for us.

[Westbyfleetr]

Not Djourou, Arsenal fans would carry him to LR and make him sign the contract at gun point given half the chance. As for Roger Johnson - he couldn't even get in that shambles of a Wolves side and responded by turning up shedded to training.

Don;t think there's any doubt Hughes is after at least one serious unit at the back if not two.

[Rsonist]

Have to agree with Lone Ranger, I've seen Djourou put in some disgraceful performances at centre back in my time.

Not to mention that he's exactly the sort of player we don't want next to Anton.

[Shania]

I think it would be a wize move by Hughes to bring in Hangeland. He´s still got one year left of his contract though.

[West Acton]

Got to be in the mix for one of the worst defenders in living memory

At right and left back possibly in his preferred position of centre back he is solid.

Alot of people said the same about Senderos but he is doing well enough and Fulham as he did Everton

[QPR Rickson]

I think Djourou from Arsenal would be a shrewd bit of business. Sometimes looks out of place in a top four side but think he would be a very solid player in a mid table side

Got to be in the mix for one of the worst defenders in living memory

[QPR1234]

our worst case scenario is NO and Anton as our centrebacks.. both will work better alongside hill but we need to look to replace hill.

Hill for me would start at CB with any new signing we make.

[West Acton]

I think Djourou from Arsenal would be a shrewd bit of business. Sometimes looks out of place in a top four side but think he would be a very solid player in a mid table side

[MattyRangers]

Agree Matty. Though cd be a struggle to find anyone uglier than Anton...

Unless we can entise Dowie out of retirement? That poor ba$tard fell out the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.

[stainrodisalegend]

Exactly as I see it. If Anton has to be the "leader" at the back he doesnt look too cinfident, but when he has a proper old school centre half next to him to do the ugly stuff, I think Anton is more than capable of holding his own.

Agree Matty. Though cd be a struggle to find anyone uglier than Anton...

[MattyRangers]

Ferdinand was immense towards the end of last season but he needs a tough, ugly centre back to play alongside him, which is why he looked a different player alongside Clint. He is a Glen Roeder in need of a Stevie Wicks. Just because its not being reported am v confident that Hughes/ Rigg realise centre half will be the most crucial signing we make this close season because I agree with you - we need a beast there. Onouha got bullied when he played there.

Exactly as I see it. If Anton has to be the "leader" at the back he doesnt look too cinfident, but when he has a proper old school centre half next to him to do the ugly stuff, I think Anton is more than capable of holding his own.