[BaggieSteve]

Slick, I feel exactly the same as you. I saw Carroll playing for Reading a few weeks ago at the Hawthorns and thought he was absolutely dire. However, it's clear that he's improved somewhat dramatically since then and, unusually for him, has stayed fit, playing every match. In his pomp and on his day, he was largely unplayable - unfortunately, those days were about 10 years ago! He has all the attributes to be a magnificent striker but injuries have largely trashed his latter years.

With the limited time and resources remaining in the transfer window, there is some semblance of sense to this signing. However, it reinforces the tactics of "lump it" and passes up an opportunity to promote younger players. I know Cleary is a very different player to Dike or Carroll but it would have been a great chance to bring him meaningfully into the first XI squad. Perhaps VI will still do that, you never know