West Bromwich Albion head coach Darren Moore has finally filled the troublesome right-back spot that has plagued him all summer.
With a number of deals falling down for rated prospects further down the pyramid, and a late deadline day move for James Tavernier reportedly failing, within the last hour or so we have added experienced fullback Tyrone Mears to the group.
The 35-year-old former Manchester City Academy graduate boasts well over 300 appearances to his name and counting clubs like Preston, West Ham, Derby, Burnley and Bolton amongst his former clubs, he has also taken in experience at Marseille, Seattle, Atlanta and most recently Minnesota.
Moore has already confirmed to wba.co.uk that Mears will feature in some capacity in tonight’s EFL Cup second round tie against Mansfield Town.
The pair also know each other pretty well.
“We’re former team-mates at Derby and when I heard about his availability and looked at the situation we have in terms of the squad’s balance at the moment, it was a no-brainer for me. Tyrone has got a wealth of experience and is a very fit footballer. He totally understands the division we are in and I have no doubt about the job he will be able to do for us. He’s got massive experience and I’m pleased to have him here.”
The player has signed a rolling contract until January and it’ll leave many asking why wasn’t Gareth McAuley offered a similar deal?
And they were.
I aint gunna put too much negativity on this because the bloke is gunna be playing for us- it aint his fault he doesnt match up to what we expected. But the Albion board wanna be careful- they're taking our support for granted and I can see it come crashing back down on them
— James (@James84507668) August 28, 2018
had from May to this week to sign people and this is all we can come up with? pic.twitter.com/t35vukyuC9
— Simmo (@JackSimms1991) August 28, 2018
Nothin wrong with him
— Baggies Tom (@TOMWBAFC1) August 28, 2018
We fail to sign a RB in the window, one that would actually improve the squad, instead signing a washed up player from the 2000’s Who’s career should have ended when he went to the MLS. Once again the board and owner have taken the cheap option and should be slaughtered for it.
— . (@BigDarrenMoore) August 28, 2018
Poor effort this is, thought we was changing to a younger squad especially after letting McAuley and Yacob leave. Stinks of Jenkins this.
— Stuart Bailey (@SJB74) August 28, 2018
It’s a natural response and nobody is blaming Moore, they believe he’s been hung out to dry really and he’s had to move quickly to sure the position up with a left-field backup option – Mears is also welcomed, he’s now going to wear the shirt so he gets leeway, but it wasn’t what people were expecting.
We are also being tentatively linked with a loan move for Aston Villa’s Ritchie de Laet in some quarters, but that makes absolutely no sense to me given Mears’ announcement.