Earnshaw wasn't what we needed, granted ...

... but the way I see it is thus:

The transfer window had nearly closed. The club needed to replace Ashton, to placate the supporters if nothing else. Earnshaw was available, and had scored goals at every level, often from the bench or in very poor teams (11 Premiership goals for WBA, the division's lowest scorers, when he wasn't a regular starter) and willing to join.

If he fitted into our team, then great - the whole side would improve. If not, he was so likely to score goals (as he has) that his value wouldn't drop and we could sell him off without making a loss at a later date and rebuild the squad when the right players were available.

Which - incidentally - is what I think we should do in the summer. Sell Earnshaw, play Huckerby and Martin up front, buy a couple of new central midfielders, a new keeper, a right-back and some centre-backs.

Posted By: Ottosson Foxtrot, Mar 8, 12:18:54