Darren Fletcher is too polite to say so but he might believe the Irons made a big mistake in not signing him in January.
The former Manchester United midfielder flew to east London to take a medical and sign a contract with the Hammers in late-January to find that Sam Allardyce and David Sullivan had wanted to change things from a loan to permanent contract to a loan deal.
United and Fletcher quickly pulled out and West Brom boss Tony Pulis was more than happy to take the Scotland international on full time despite years in injury and illness issues.
The 31-year-old claims he is enjoying football again and didn’t understand the concerns over his fitness levels.
Fletcher said: “I’ve never had any doubts over my fitness. With every game I feel stronger and I’m loving every minute. Even after playing 90 minutes last weekend I felt I could go straight out and play again.”
“People wondered whether I could play three games in a week. I can play as many games as you want in a week.
“I feel strong, fit – I’ve got all that fitness back – and the illness thing is well and truly behind me now.”
West Ham were aiming for fourth when they were interested in Fletcher and West Brom looked a good bet to go down, but due to recent form there are only six points and three places separating he sides now in the table.
For Fletcher and West Brom it is best to judge next year, not just less than half a season. When Fletcher has played more games and can carry on with 3 games a week for most of the season then lets see how he and West Brom do. Pullis does well over a short term fix. Stoke were struggling to get the right players under him and could not progress. West Brom will be lucky to get beyond mid table again next year.
agree there BtD. Signing over 30’s on long term deals does not make sense, unless you are Fletcher of course. Can’t see why G&S even contemplated it in the first place as their “new strategy” of not signing these sorts of players was much lauded at the start of the season. It certainly paid dividends with the best transfer window in a very long time.
It will be some clear out at West Ham come the end of the season. Demel, O’Brien, Cole and probably Jarvis, Nolan and JJ.
So now WBA are doing well because of Fletcher not Pulis I don’t think so,
I agree next season when he plays like Brown and O,Shea we will be glad he stayed up north and with a bit of luck Nolan and Allardyce will join them.
BFS OUT