Anichebe reckons Nigeria team-mate will be huge Hawthorns hit
VICTOR Anichebe reckons international team-mate Brown Ideye will repay the club-record transfer fee Albion have invested in his services – but he has urged fans to be patient with the striker.
Ideye sealed his move from Dynamo Kiev on Friday evening and will link up with this new team-mates for the first time when they return from their pre-season training camp in Sacramento.
Anichebe knows the 25-year-old from the Nigeria set-up and says Ideye has arrived at The Hawthorns with a steely determination to impress supporters and be a success in the Black Country.
But the former Everton man says ‘Bobby’ will need time to adjust to life in England and the demands of the Barclays Premier League.
“I know Brown through playing for Nigeria and we’ve kept in touch ever since,” said Anichebe.
“We’ve kept tabs on how we’ve been doing in our respective leagues. He’s done well in Ukraine after moving there for a lot of money.
“He’s also come here for a big fee and I’m sure he will do well.
“But I don’t think the fans should expect too much, too soon from him.
“They should forget about the price tag. The club pays what they want to pay for players. That’s not down to the player.
“I know Brown is a really good player but the fans need to give him time to adapt, just as it’s taken me time to adapt.
“This season will be better for me as well. I showed glimpses last season of what the fans can expect and hopefully this year I can show it on a more consistent basis.
“But the fans shouldn’t put too much pressure on Brown. That’s what I messaged him when he signed. I said ‘you’re a club record signing and you’ve taken the No.9 shirt, no pressure’!
“Joking aside, it will be difficult for him just to come in and set the world on fire and the sooner he’s with us as a group the better.
“The gaffer can then incorporate him in the things we do, and get him up to tempo with the speed of the Premier League, which is really important.
“But the great thing about Brown, from speaking to him and reading about how he’s feeling, is that he’s got that drive and passion to succeed at Albion.
“He really, really wants to do well. No matter what club you join, that’s what the fans want to see. They always want to see hard work and dedication and you will get that from him.
“Brown wants to improve. Like he said, moving to the Premier League is a dream come true. West Brom have given him that opportunity and I don’t think he’s going to let anyone down.
“We can play together, he may play instead of me or vice versa, or he may play with Saido. The main thing is that we’re a team and hopefully we’ll bring in more new faces.
“We did lose a few players at the end of last season and to have an addition of Brown’s quality shows that the chairman and gaffer are really trying to do something here.
“On a personal note, I’m really happy for Brown. He will need time to settle in but if the fans remain patient, I’m sure he will do well.”
Anichebe reckons Ideye has all the attributes to be a success in England and has highlighted his versatility.
“Brown’s very quick and strong and also has a good eye for goal,” he said.
“He’s played so many different ways and is a real team player.
“For example, for Nigeria, he’s played in a supporting role but then for his club he’s played as the pivotal one, to run in behind. And that is something we need.
“Everyone knows the way I play, but to have someone who can make powerful runs in behind, that’ll be great for us.
“If he can do that, it will create more space for the rest of the team to play in.
“I’ve seen him pop up in several different positions. He can adapt to different ways of playing and flexibility is always good.
“Brown coming here means we will have different ways to play and if we can bring in a couple more quality players like this, I’m sure this season will be a lot better than last season.”