Albion's January transfer window plans have been given a financial boost by the FA Cup fourth round visit of Arsenal to the Amex.
An experienced central midfielder and a striker top new manager Chris Hughton’s January wish list.
Chairman Tony Bloom has made funds available for Hughton to strengthen the squad and the lucrative tie against the Gunners on January 24 or 25 – a repeat of their fourth round visit two years ago – falls more than a week before the window closes.
Hughton said: “You’ll see over this window that a lot of the business is done in the last week, because everyone is looking for the best deal they can get and players want to wait a little bit longer to see if they get other options or better options.
“We will be able to bring players in. They are the assurances that I have been given but what you would like to do and what you are able to do are sometimes different things.”
Gus Poyet’s Albion ran Arsenal close two years ago, losing 3-2 to an 85th minute goal by Theo Walcott in front of a crowd of over 27,000.
Another bumper turnout is guaranteed for the second home game of Hughton’s reign and, with the likelihood of live television coverage further boosting the coffers, Albion’s FA Cup adventure launched by Saturday’s 2-0 win at Brentford in the third round will provide a profitable lift to the main aim of Championship survival.
Chief executive Paul Barber, who like Hughton has strong connections with Arsenal’s North London rivals Spurs, said: “It’s fantastic, great for the club, great for the supporters and terrific for Chris.
“It’s fantastic for the football club’s reputation across the world. The FA Cup is the most popular cup competition anywhere, broadcast live in many cases to over 200 countries.
“Obviously financially, particularly if we get selected for live TV, a good crowd, good sponsorship, good hospitality sales, good retail revenue – it should be a really good day for the club and, if we can progress, even better.”
Retaining the FA Cup offers Arsenal their best hope of silverware. Arsene Wenger, with a clear week to prepare and recover either side of a trip to Manchester City and the visit of Aston Villa, is likely to field a strong side again against the Seagulls.
Hughton said: “I was asked who I would like. I said certainly a home game against a team outside of our league with a strong possibility of getting a result or a big ‘un that would be a great for the club, with a full stadium, and the latter came out.
“The first thought is one of excitement. You are not thinking about how difficult it is going to be to beat them but about the day. The FA Cup is a special day and mostly a special day for the supporters. There won’t be too many of our supporters unhappy with that draw.” Meanwhile, Albion are expected to face Standard Liege striker Tony Watt at Charlton on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, scorer of Celtic’s winner in a famous victory over Barcelona in 2012, is poised to become Charlton’s first signing of the January transfer window on a short-term deal.
Albion have already sold 2,400 tickets for the trip to The Valley. A further 600 have now been released for Hughton’s first league game.
Original article
An experienced central midfielder and a striker top new manager Chris Hughton’s January wish list.
Chairman Tony Bloom has made funds available for Hughton to strengthen the squad and the lucrative tie against the Gunners on January 24 or 25 – a repeat of their fourth round visit two years ago – falls more than a week before the window closes.
Hughton said: “You’ll see over this window that a lot of the business is done in the last week, because everyone is looking for the best deal they can get and players want to wait a little bit longer to see if they get other options or better options.
“We will be able to bring players in. They are the assurances that I have been given but what you would like to do and what you are able to do are sometimes different things.”
Gus Poyet’s Albion ran Arsenal close two years ago, losing 3-2 to an 85th minute goal by Theo Walcott in front of a crowd of over 27,000.
Another bumper turnout is guaranteed for the second home game of Hughton’s reign and, with the likelihood of live television coverage further boosting the coffers, Albion’s FA Cup adventure launched by Saturday’s 2-0 win at Brentford in the third round will provide a profitable lift to the main aim of Championship survival.
Chief executive Paul Barber, who like Hughton has strong connections with Arsenal’s North London rivals Spurs, said: “It’s fantastic, great for the club, great for the supporters and terrific for Chris.
“It’s fantastic for the football club’s reputation across the world. The FA Cup is the most popular cup competition anywhere, broadcast live in many cases to over 200 countries.
“Obviously financially, particularly if we get selected for live TV, a good crowd, good sponsorship, good hospitality sales, good retail revenue – it should be a really good day for the club and, if we can progress, even better.”
Retaining the FA Cup offers Arsenal their best hope of silverware. Arsene Wenger, with a clear week to prepare and recover either side of a trip to Manchester City and the visit of Aston Villa, is likely to field a strong side again against the Seagulls.
Hughton said: “I was asked who I would like. I said certainly a home game against a team outside of our league with a strong possibility of getting a result or a big ‘un that would be a great for the club, with a full stadium, and the latter came out.
“The first thought is one of excitement. You are not thinking about how difficult it is going to be to beat them but about the day. The FA Cup is a special day and mostly a special day for the supporters. There won’t be too many of our supporters unhappy with that draw.” Meanwhile, Albion are expected to face Standard Liege striker Tony Watt at Charlton on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, scorer of Celtic’s winner in a famous victory over Barcelona in 2012, is poised to become Charlton’s first signing of the January transfer window on a short-term deal.
Albion have already sold 2,400 tickets for the trip to The Valley. A further 600 have now been released for Hughton’s first league game.
Original article