West Brom technical director Luke Dowling had been praising the club's transfer policy in the Express and Star this morning.

He believes the collection of short term deals they've arranged over the course of the season is proving to be shrewd business. They've acquired Tyrone Mears, Bakary Sako and Wes Hoolahan on short contracts to aid with their current promotion push.

Hoolahan and Mears, with a combined age of 71, have agreed deals until January while 30-year-old former Wolves man Sako is with Darren Moore until the end of the season.

They currently have five starts and 11 appearances in the Championship between them and Dowling believes it demonstrates a keen eye for a deal within the Hawthorns hierarchy.

“I think when you look at those three players, it some of the best business the club has done,” Dowling said. “It’s important to look at their age, Tyrone was in the MLS last season, Wes was a free agent, Sako has had injury problems. "

“It might have been the case a year ago that West Bromwich Albion gave them longer-term contracts. The fact we’ve given two out of three of them a deal until January – and said ‘Come and show us what you’ve got’ – it’s the best thing the club could have done."

Hoolahan has yet to start for the club, whilst Mears has been filling in at fullback and weighs in with four starts. Sako, the last to arrive, has started just one game thus far.

The Verdict

I'm not sure how shrewd some of the business is. At 36, Tyrone Mears looks some way off the pace and yet has four outings to his name. Just because they gave them short-term deals doesn't demonstrate good business, many of the Championship sides wouldn't have gone near the former Derby man.

Hoolahan and Sako are different beasts, they do have a bit to prove, but I feel Dowling is blowing the club's trumpet a bit too early on these players.

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