Ismael: Dike’s here to lift us up
VALERIEN ISMAEL had warned West Brom: Sign a goalscorer or forget about automatic promotion.
And last night the Baggies boss had his instruction followed to the letter with the capture of striker Daryl Dike from Orlando City.
The 21-year-old has joined West Brom on a four-and-a-half year contract – rekindling his professional relationship with the Baggies’ chief.
Ismael and Dike worked together at Barnsley last season as the on-loan forward grabbed nine goals in 19 appearances to help the Tykes bag a spot in the play-offs.
West Brom’s manager had spoken repeatedly of his need for a goalscorer – and the club’s owners have listened and now acted.
The Baggies manager has grown increasingly frustrated at the chances he has seen go begging in the first half of the campaign.
Asked whether a striker like Dike could make the difference between a place in the top two or having to settle for the play-offs, Ismael said: “Yes, it’s as simple as that.
“If you look at the teams above us at the minute, it shows we have a lack of a goalscorer.
“Bournemouth have Dominic
Solanke, there’s Aleksandar Mitrovic at Fulham and Ben Brereton Diaz at Blackburn.
“In the first half of the season, we have had possibilities, so many chances. But we haven’t taken them. Now it is time to do something in that area.”
Karlan Grant is the Baggies’ leading scorer, with nine to his name so far this term – fewer than half of any of the forwards Ismael noted.
And after landing Dike, he is expecting to have more signings quickly once the window opens – issuing another veiled threat to those who will not follow his direct instructions.
Ismael added: “The window is open. If you can get what you want in the first week, that’s the best thing. It’s not our intention to wait until the last few days.
“We are working on our list. We have a clear picture and a list of priorities.
“Every player has had a chance. No player can turn around and say they haven’t had a chance to show their quality.
“They’ve had six months now. I’ve got an overview on it all. But at some point you have to say, ‘Enough is enough’.
“It’s decision time. You have to see who is able to follow our ways and who can’t.
“We know what we have to do. Seven goals against us have come from our own clear mistakes.”