World NewsMowbray to Stick to Attacking Principles |
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray will not compromise his beliefs about playing free-flowing football to survive in the Barclays Premier League as he closes in on the signature of Real Mallorca midfielder Borja Valero in a club-record £4.75 million deal.
The Baggies scored 106 goals last season as they won the Coca-Cola Championship and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup before losing by a single goal to eventual winners Portsmouth.And Mowbray, whose side were beaten 1-0 at Arsenal on the opening day of the season, will stick to the same philosophies.
The former Hibernian boss said: "We can't go and kick lumps out of anybody. We haven't got that type of player.
"Everyone keeps telling me 'go and get a centre midfield player'. I'm not interested in central midfield players just for the sake of it.
"I'm only interested in good footballers if we can get them. The more good footballers you've got, the better chance you've got.
"We only lost 11 times last season but, on the days you lose, you get stick for not having a centre half who heads the ball out of your box.
"On days like that, you get stick for not having a midfield player who tackles everything that moves.
"But the fact is we scored 106 goals, or whatever it was, and you have to follow your own philosophy and beliefs. That's what we'll do in this league as well."
Valero's agent Martan Paledes claimed last night that a deal had already been struck for the 23-year-old, who began his career with Real Madrid and is expected to sign a four-year contract.
Albion insist there are one or two loose ends to tie up but hope to confirm the signing of Valero at some stage today.
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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