Wednesday 26 November 2014

Ideye's Can Of Worms



Nigeria striker Brown Ideye joined WestBromwich Albion for £10 million in the summer of 2014 as the club record signing from Dynamo Kiev with high hopes and expectations from Albion fans.

Before joining the Baggies, Ideye scored 33 goals in 74 matches for the Ukranian outfit which is a relatively impressive goal return.

The former youth international on his arrival at the Hawthorns, boss Alan Irvine said: "He's a strong, quick, powerful player who likes to get behind defences with champions league and international experience." 

The 26 year old has only managed six appearances with half that figure coming in the capital one cup and has found the back of the net just once in Albion's 3-2 victory over Hull city also in the capital one cup. His last game for the club was in a 2-1 loss to championship side Bournemouth in the same competition on tuesday 28 october.

Meaning, the Nigerian has been out of the team for close to a month and is yet to score in the premier league since joining in July. He has been criticized by fans and occasionally doesnt even make the match day squad. He said "I have found it difficult but people can't criticise, pull me down or have a gun on my head for not playing."

So where did it go wrong for Ideye?

Club record tag and fee hasn't helped his course as expectations to deliver has been very high. Country man, Peter Odemwingie became one of the greatest player in the club's history after breaking the goal scoring record joining for a relatively small fee from Russian side, Locomotive Moscow. The reverse is the case in Ideye's situation as he joined for a high fee and is yet to make any impact.

Secondly, his poor run of form has been a blessing for another as English prospect Saido Behraino seem to be the benefactor of the striker's situation. He has been ever present in the team scoring eight goals so far this season.

Injury has also been another obstacle to the 26 year old as he has struggled to keep fit this season. In his absence country man, Victor Anichebe and former Celtic striker Georgios Samaras has risen above the former Ocean boys man in the pecking order.

Whatever the case is, the next few weeks will decide his fate at the club. With the hectic festive period on the cards, the Nigerian has to step up his game if he is to stand any chance of replicating his Dynamo form or repaying the club for investing such hefty sum on him.