Club News

Irvine happy with striker variety

And boss encouraged by start with recent additions set to strengthen squad

ALAN Irvine is confident the variety he has among his strikers will cause Barclays Premier League defences problems - and Albion hope to add to his options before the transfer window closes.

Victor Anichebe gave the Sunderland backline a torrid time in Saturday's 2-2 opening-day draw, earning the penalty that Saido Berahino scored the first of his double from.

And the Baggies were buoyed by seeing club-record signing Brown Ideye on the bench against the Black Cats as he edges closer to full fitness.

"I thought Victor was very good on Saturday and has been throughout pre-season," said Irvine.

"We all want options and I am really happy with the three strikers I have got at the moment - I still want another one.

"They give us different ways of playing and approaching things.

"Saido and Brown are similar in some ways as they both want to run in behind, but they have also got different strengths."

The Albion chief was encouraged by what he saw from his men against the Mackems in the knowledge he has a number of recent new recruits still to integrate fully into his squad.

"The lads showed great character to come back from what could have been a very damaging set-back at the beginning of the game on Saturday," added Irvine.

"I have been really encouraged with the way they have worked. 

"They have been very, very receptive. 

"They know there were things that happened on Saturday that they need to be better at - and we will work on them. 

"We are not where we would like to be at this time as we don’t have our squad fully together.

"Some players have come into us very late and we have had injuries to deal with as well. 

"We have not really been able to do quite as much work with regards different ways of playing as I would have hoped to at this time."