Coppell Stays - Now for the promotion push

Last updated : 06 June 2003 By Bob Gear
So Sir Steve has agreed to stay with the Albion for another year after having taken about a month to think about it since the Grimsby game that saw us relegated.

The playing Budget is not an Issue for Coppell and one would hope that there is an element of a scouting budget also.

The uncertainty over Falmer lead to the decision to sign for only one year. Hopefully once a positive conclusion is reached over the Stadium Issue Steve will commit himself to the Albion for a longer term.

The serious business of getting ready for the new Season starts here.

With Paul Brooker looking likely to rejoin Micky Adams, this time at Premiership Leicester, will Johnny Robinson rejoin the Albion after being released by Premiership Charlton.

Micky Adams has ruled himself out of the race for Bobby Zamora saying that he is too expensive. Are Spurs looking elsewhere? there are rumours of them looking at Kanoute from West Ham for £4m, seems more of a certain bet for Hoddle than £3m for a player untried in the Premiership.

It is quite possible that no 'reasonable offers' will come in for Zamora in this window, and that Bobby will play the first half of this Season at the Albion. Does Coppell need to buy a couple of strikers anyway to prepare for the leaving of Zamora.

In this case Tony Rougier, released by Reading, but being chased by Ipswich on the strength of his game for us at Portman Road in the league, could be a possible target for Coppell.

Then there are the other players out of contract. Will Coppell re-sign Blackwell, Rodger & Beasant?

Other possibilities include Ben Roberts, on loan with the Albion last season before Beasant joined, who has also been released by Charlton.

There's a lot of work for Stevie to do over the next month or so, before the players come back for Pre-Season training.

We're in a much better position than for the start of last season.

Can we go straight back up, or will there be a boring mid-table finish for the Albion for a change? Join in our Poll on the Front page.