‘100%’ – Exclusive: West Brom warned over ‘Absolutely crazy’ transfer decision

We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…

Kevin Phillips believes it would be “absolutely crazy” if West Brom didn’t sign a new striker after Hal Robson-Kanu suffered a broken arm last week.

Robson-Kanu underwent surgery earlier this week after a Southampton player fell on him in the 2-0 defeat at St Mary’s.

Robson-Kanu’s injury blow isn’t the only worrying development over West Brom forwards this week either with Callum Robinson missing Ireland’s clash with Wales due to a positive COVID-19 test in the Irish squad.

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It means that Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore – two strikers linked with leaving The Hawthorns – could be Slaven Bilic’s only options when the Baggies take on Burnley after the international break is over.

However, that won’t be the case if Bilic doesn’t sign a new striker before the domestic transfer window closes on October 16.

Phillips has suggested that Bilic has no option but to bring in someone else to bolster his striker options.

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“100 per cent – it’s a desperate situation. I think Slaven Bilic has almost stopped short in saying that he desperately needs a centre-forward in at the football club,” Phillips told West Brom News.

“He’s not daft, he knows he needs someone in that position.

“When one of your strikers goes out injured with a broken arm, it would be absolutely crazy if they didn’t bring someone in.

“It makes it even more important.”

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West Brom now have five days left to find themselves a new striker because the thought of potentially going into the Burnley match with only Austin and Zohore available fills us with dread.

Austin and Zohore might not even be at The Hawthorns either with both of them linked with leaving so there’s a possibility that Robson-Kanu, Robinson, Austin and Zohore are all unavailable for the clash with the Clarets.

In other West Brom news, Guochuan Lai would be happy to discuss selling the Baggies.

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