West Bromich Albion

Gaardsoe seals new Baggies deal
West Brom defender Thomas Gaardsoe has put pen to paper on a new three-year contract at The Hawthorns. The Baggies exercised a one-year option on the 25-year-old Dane earlier this summer, but he has now committed himself to the club until June 2008. Gaardsoe said: "There was no doubt in my mind when we were negotiating the deal that I wanted to stay. "I had a bit of interest from other clubs in this country and abroad but I'm very happy here." Gaardsoe, who is a big favourite with the West Brom supporters, says he feels comfortable with life under Baggies boss Bryan Robson. He added: "I'm proud to play in front of these fans. They've been really good to me ever since I came to the club. "And I'm really happy with the with the management team plus the atmosphere and spirit at the club. "I think we've got some great years ahead of us." Robson said: "Thomas signing is good news for the club. It means we have more or less got all of the squad players tied down for at least two years."

AFC Telford United 0-6 West Brom
West Brom opened their pre-season programme with a 6-0 win over Unibond Premier club AFC Telford United. Darren Carter, on debut, Richard Chaplow and Rob Elvins all scored their first senior goals. Kevin Campbell added a fourth after the break before substitute Stuart Nicholson scored two - one a penalty - late on to completed the rout. Meanwhile, second-half goals from Geoff Horsfield and Lloyd Dyer earned the Baggies a 2-0 win against Cheltenham.

West Brom target Stockport pair
West Brom boss have revealed that they want to sign Stockport defender Michael Raynes and goalkeeper James Spencer. The Baggies' interest in 20-year-old Spencer was made public last week and they have now made a move for 17-year-old Raynes as well. West Brom boss Bryan Robson told the club website: "We have got an interest in Spencer and Raynes and we will have to see if a deal can be done." However, Stockport have made it clear that the pair will not be sold cheaply.

Robson wants Richardson to return
West Brom boss Bryan Robson said Kieran Richardson's international ambitions could see him return to The Hawthorns. The 20-year-old Manchester United midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Baggies last season, but has since returned to Old Trafford. But Robson said Richardson would want first-team football to boost his hopes of playing in the 2006 World Cup. "If Kieran stays (at United) it will be eight players going for four places," he told the Express and Star newspaper. Richardson played a crucial role in helping the Baggies secure a dramatic last-day escape from relegation last season. His form earned him a call-up to England's squad for the mini-tour to the United States and he made a superb start, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over the hosts. And Robson feels Richardson will return to The Hawthorns for a second-loan spell because the competition for midfield places at United which would hamper his chances of a regular England place. "I'm still very hopeful he will be playing for us next year," Robson added. "The main thing for Kieran to realise is that he is going to have Giggs, Scholes, Rooney, Ronaldo, Park Ji-Sung, Keane and Fletcher all competing for a place. "Those are his main competitors." Robson added: "He knows that if he's going to go to the World Cup he must be playing first-team football - Sven-Goran Eriksson has told him that and it is a big question mark for him." Robson, meanwhile, has taken Poland international Jaroslaw Bieniuk on trial, with the 26-year-old Amica Wronki centre-half to spend a week training with the club.

MK Dons 0-1 West Brom
West Brom striker Geoff Horsfield's header early on against MK Dons earned the Premiership side a win over their League One opponents. Horsfield scored after a mazy run and cross by Martin Albrechtsen in the fourth minute. Central defender Darren Purse was forced off injured for the Baggies after just 15 minutes to give boss Bryan Robson cause for concern. Gary Smith came closest for MK Dons when he hit the post with a shot.

Kirkland completes West Brom move
Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has completed his loan move to West Brom after coming through a two-week trial. Kirkland, 24, joined Liverpool from Coventry four years ago for £6m, but injuries and Jerzy Dudek's form limited his first-team opportunities. During his year-long loan Kirkland will have two other goalkeeping rivals - Russell Hoult and Tomasz Kuszczak. "Chris got stiff competition here," West Brom assistant boss Nigel Pearson told the Albion website. Pearson added: "I'm delighted for him because he's had a tough time with injuries and I know what that can be like. "He's desperate for a run of games but he'll have to fight hard to get them." Kirkland's chances at Liverpool suffered a further setback with the arrivals of Scott Carson and Jose `Pepe' Reina.

Burnley end efforts to net Sakiri
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill says former West Brom midfielder Artim Sakiri will not be joining the club after talks broke down. "He has another option open to him and we wanted to look at him over a longer period," said Cotterill. "Four days is not enough to make a full assessment over his fitness." Sakiri, 31, played for the Clarets in the win at Accrington Stanley last week and is a free agent after being released by the Baggies this summer. He started just 11 games for West Brom and has attracted interest from Leeds and Derby this summer.

Purse poised for Cardiff transfer
Cardiff are set to sign defender Darren Purse from West Bromwich Albion in a deal believed to be close to £1m. Purse's agent, Richard Cody, revealed that they have agreed personal terms with the Bluebirds, who fought off a late bid from Southampton. "Darren has spoken to (Cardiff manager) Dave Jones and was impressed with what he had to say," "There's a few bits and pieces that need clarifying, but they are not going to stop us agreeing the contract." However, Cody revealed that there are certain issues surrounding Purse's departure from the Hawthorns that could delay his switch to Ninian Park. "We have a situation where we need to agree certain things with West Brom and that's what is holding things up," Cody admitted. "Those are things personal to Darren and myself that have to be clarified. "You have lots of things in an existing contract and the player himself is not breaking the contract, it's the club looking to sell the player. "But they are items which I believe will be resolved in the next few days, and then Darren will look forward to a long and successful career with Cardiff." Purse, 28, was a regular at the start of the season and kept his place after Bryan Robson took over as manager in November. But the former Birmingham defender has now not figured in the Baggies side since February. Purse will provide a ready-made replacement in the heart of Cardiff's defence, following the £3.5m sale of Danny Gabbidon and James Collins to West Ham.

Ellington set to make Baggies bow
West Brom striker Nathan Ellington will make his first appearance for his new club in the reserve game against Aston Villa on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old completed a £3m move from Wigan this week and has been included in the 16-man squad for the game at Villa Park. He could make his Baggies debut in Saturday's game against Portsmouth. Goalkeeper Russell Hoult, Darren Moore and Darren Carter have also been named in the reserve-team squad.

Lee 'poised for Tottenham switch'
Frank Lampard struck twice as champions Chelsiebun beat West Brom to return to the Premiership summit in emphatic fashion. Lampard broke the deadlock after 23 minutes, firing home after good work by Didier Drogba and a clever dummy from new £24.4m signing Michael Essien. Joe Cole scored a second before the interval after a determined run from another new boy, Shaun Wright-Phillips. Drogba added a third after the break, before Lampard scored his second from close range with 10 minutes left. As expected, Chelsiebun manager Jose moroneo gave first starts to his expensive summer captures Essien and Wright-Phillips. And they both made key contributions as the champions established a comfortable lead at the interval. moroneo also gave a rare start to goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini and rested first choice Petr Cech. Chelsiebun went ahead after 23 minutes as West Brom paid the full price for a piece of carelessness from defender Thomas Gaardsoe. His pass sold Neil Clement short, and when Drogba crossed, Essien dummied for Lampard to control and fire a powerful finish past Chris Kirkland. And Wright-Phillips, who had been quiet in the first half, showed great determination to set up Cole for Chelsiebun's second on the stroke of half time. Albion defender Paul Robinson thought the ball was running to safety, but Wright-Phillips stole in and crossed for Cole to score with ease. Chelsiebun continued to dominate after the break, and Cole almost added his second when he shot across the face of goal after 54 minutes, with Drogba just unable to get the final touch. Kirkland then made a fine double save from Drogba's header and Essien's powerful follow up as Chelsiebun pressed for a third goal. And it needed more desperate defending to halt Drogba, who then set up Essien for a shot which was blocked. Chelsiebun's third was only a matter of time, and it came after 67 minutes when Asier del Horno turned the ball back for Drogba to hit the target from close range. The visitors' cause looked hopeless, but boss Bryan Robson sent on Nathan Ellington for his debut as replacement for Jonathan Greening - but Chelsiebun responded by replacing Drogba with Hernan Crespo. The champions were rampant and it was no surprise when Lampard struck again with 10 minutes left, firing past Kirkland after good work by substitute Arjen Robben. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsiebun manager Jose moroneo: "We played well. We looked very confident and compact, there were no defensive problems and we used the ball very well. "We had control of the game and always looked dangerous. The result expressed what happened on the pitch. "We were better than against Arsenal, the team played better football." West Brom boss Bryan Robson: "For me we gifted Chelsiebun the game. "It is disappointing in that we have been defending really well but individual errors cost us. "We kept our shape well and made it difficult to break us down. "But we gifted them two goals and if Real Madrid came here and gave two goals away they would not come back into the game." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsiebun: Cudicini, Johnson, Terry, Gallas, Del Horno, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Joe Cole (Robben 69), Wright-Phillips (Duff 79), Drogba (Crespo 71). Subs Not Used: Cech, Ricardo Carvalho. Goals: Lampard 23, Joe Cole 43, Drogba 68, Lampard 80. West Brom: Kirkland, Albrechtsen, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Greening (Ellington 71), Scimeca, Chaplow, Johnson (Inamoto 60), Kamara, Kanu. Subs Not Used: Moore, Earnshaw, Kuszczak. Booked: Kamara. Att: 41,201 Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).

West Brom 2-3 Birmingham
Emile Heskey scored his first goals of the season to inspire Birmingham to victory in the West Midlands derby. Jamie Clapham provided a pinpoint cross for an unmarked Heskey to head his first before former Blue Geoff Horsfield equalised with a low shot. Birmingham regained the lead when Jiri Jarosik scored his first goal for the club with a back-post header. Heskey then nodded in Jermaine Pennant's cross before Horsfield gave Albion hope with a second-half strike. But The Baggies could not prevent Birmingham achieving their first Premiership win on the road since last December. And it was just about deserved as the visitors were superior in the first half and held off a resurgent Albion after the interval. On 10 minutes, a well-worked move down the left found space for Clapham, who delivered an accurate centre for Heskey to power home the opener. But Birmingham's lead lasted only two minutes as Horsfield ended a pinball passage of play from a corner by rifling in a low shot to restore parity. Albion looked buoyed by the strike and Kevin Campbell came close to putting them ahead but saw his header bounce off the top of the bar. However, with the game stretched early on and both sides pushing forward, it was merely a matter of when, and not if, the next goal would come. And on 26 minutes it arrived after Pennant delivered a lofted free-kick to the back post and Jirosik nodded in on off the woodwork. From then on, Birmingham assumed control as Albion were over-run in midfield and looking demoralised. The hosts also seemed reluctant to learn their lessons from the first two goals they conceded, as they continued to look vulnerable from the flanks. Pennant soon took advantage down the right and provided a superb cross for Heskey to confidently head his side's third. Albion improved after the break, while Birmingham seemed content to sit back and defend their lead. The visitors' tactics looked to have backfired when Horsfield slotted his second goal after Damien Johnson horrifically sliced a clearance. And from then, Birmingham were forced to repel wave after wave of Albion attacks. Jonathan Greening forced a smart save from Maik Taylor, who suddenly found himself in the centre of the action. And Horsfield came close to getting his hat-trick after Zoltan Gera nodded back across goal but the striker could not accurately direct his header. Substitute Robert Earnshaw then volleyed over from a good position - and then blasted a drive high over in injury time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom boss Bryan Robson: "As a team we were very poor. That is seven goals we have conceded in two games and that is just not good enough. "Defensively in the first half we were very poor. It cost us badly. "In the second half, they responded well, kept going and brought themselves back into the game. It is important we now get back to basics." Birmingham boss Steve Bruce: "I've been saying this for a year since we signed him but there is no better centre-forward of his type in the country than Emile Heskey. "If you play to his strengths, which we did against Albion, he will cause anyone problems. "We needed the first win and deserved it after our first-half performance." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom: Kirkland, Watson (Albrechtsen 45), Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Gera, Wallwork, Carter (Earnshaw 76), Greening, Campbell (Ellington 56), Horsfield. Subs Not Used: Moore, Kuszczak. Booked: Clement. Goals: Horsfield 12, 64. Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Upson, Cunningham, Clapham, Pennant, Butt, Jarosik, Johnson (Clemence 81), Forssell (Izzet 72), Heskey (Pandiani 63). Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Gray. Booked: Clapham, Jarosik, Upson. Goals: Heskey 10, Jarosik 26, Heskey 33. Att: 23,993 Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

West Brom snap up defender Davies
West Brom have signed highly-rated Luton defender Curtis Davies for £3m. The £3m fee for Davies, 20, who has signed a four-year deal, is a record for West Brom and was the third biggest domestic move on deadline day. West Brom boss Bryan Robson told the club's website: "I believe he's got a really good future in the game. "Curtis is one of the most outstanding young centre halves I've seen for some time," added Robson. Davies arrival takes Albion's summer spending to £9m and follows the arrival of Nathan Ellington, Darren Carter, Diomansy Kamara, Steve Watson and on-loan Chris Kirkland. The 6ft 2in Davies made 62 appearances for Luton scoring two goals, his last coming on Monday in the 2-1 win over Millwall. He joined the club as a 16-year-old trialist and made his debut two years later.

Robson points finger at players
West Brom boss Bryan Robson has accused his players of "kidding him" in their opening two games of the season. The Baggies' third successive defeat against Wigan prompted Robson to tell his club's website: "I thought we picked up where we left off last May. "But the players were kidding me in the first two games and the last three have not been acceptable. "We're resting on our laurels of last season and forgetting about the hard work which earned our survival." Since drawing with Manchester City and beating Portsmouth, West Brom have lost to Chelsea, Birmingham and Wigan. Defensive lapses allowed the Latics to claim all three points on Saturday, and Robson said: "We'll be going back to the basics of defending on the training pitch for however long it takes. "If we make sure we do the hard work, the football will look after itself."

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