West Brom: Three budget signings to boost Baggies

It’s no secret that West Brom need to bring in reinforcements this month. Even though the Baggies sit 13th in the league with a respectful 27 points from 21 matches, the team has been somewhat lacking in attack so far in this campaign, only managing to score 22 goals and having to rely on their defensive resoluteness more often than not to come away with the points.

However, it’s also no secret that West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace is tighter than a duck’s backside when it comes to transfers in January, with Tony Pulis already confirming that he will need to sell first if he is to bring in some of his targets.

Taking this into account, I thought I would help our Welsh head coach by listing three players that would not break the bank in terms of transfer fees, and who would most definitely be tempted by a move to the Hawthorns.

Each have the potential to improve our fortunes at the business end of the pitch and supply some much needed ammunition to our forlorn strikers.

Name: Kevin Nolan
Position: Midfielder
Club: Unattached
Age: 33

Kevin Nolan has been a free agent since leaving West Ham in August.

First up is unattached veteran Kevin Nolan. I have always been an admirer of the midfieler. Adopting a very much no-nonsense approach he has consistently scored goals in the Premier League and enjoyed successful spells with Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham. I’m surprised to see that no-one has snapped him up as of yet, due to how much experience he has playing in the top-flight and his not too shabby goalscoring record. His fitness would most likely be an issue, due to the amount of time he’s had out, but if the Albion coaching team could turn that around fairly quickly I have no doubt Nolan could prove to be a valuable asset to have within the ranks. He would also slide effortlessly into a team coached by Pulis, due to his effectiveness in the air and physicality.

Name: Tom Rogic
Position: Midfielder
Club: Celtic
Age: 23

Rogic has been in good form for Celtic this term.

Next up is Australian playmaker Tom Rogic. The 23-year-old has been at the Scottish champions since 2013, moving from Central Coast Mariners for a fee of £336,000, but a series of niggling injuries and the form of others playing in his position has seen his playing time in the green and white hoops limited. However, after returning to full fitness and finally being given a chance by manager Ronny Deila, the lanky Aussie has shone so far this season and has arguably been the club’s best performer. Most effective playing in the hole, he has racked up four assists and scored six goals so far this term, outshining 2014/15 player of the season Stefan Johansen. With Celtic’s recent failings in Europe, I have no doubt a move to the Premier League would appeal to Rogic and, in my opinion, he would be a very good acquisition for the Baggies.

Name: Tom Bradshaw
Position: Striker
Club: Walsall
Age: 23

Bradshaw is a regular goalscorer for League One Walsall.

A bit of a controversial one this. Not often does a player make the step up from the lower leagues to the Premier League with ease. There have been exceptions (Jamie Vardy, Charlie Austin) but, more often than not, players who make such a big leap tend to struggle. However, one who has impressed me a lot in the last couple of seasons and one who, I believe, has the ability to make the step up is Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw. Capable of also playing a little deeper behind the main striker, the hotshot has already scored 13 goals this season with his impressive form earning him a Wales call-up. He has plenty of suitors in the Championship, where I feel he could definitely continue to thrive, however, due to the relatively low fee he would command it would be a risk worth taking to see whether he could maybe do the business in the top-tier. Also, he wouldn’t have to move far.