Nicky Shorey and a confession.

By: Ethan Dean-Richards | August 5th, 2010

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Drifting aimlessly like a half inflated plastic bag along an empty street in the middle of the night: this is Nicky Shorey’s career and it is now West Brom’s burden. The former England full back could arrive at the Hawthorns via Aston Villa in a matter of days.

Marek Cech and Joe Mattock, currently the only members of West Brom’s left back club, are entirely devoid of quality (unless ineptness is counted within that bracket?): Shorey, is less-so. Thus, news of the potential new signing carries the dull hum of logic, if not excitement. It is hoped that Shorey’s icey stare and intriguingly square head will make up for his desperate lack of pace.

The deal is mutually beneficial. Nick, Nickelangelo, or plain old Nickster, has struggled to find playing time at his current club, Aston Villa – in a spell that the Daily Mail has seen fit to describe as a nightmare (clearly their writers do not have the same nightmares as The Blog – like the recurring one where It is a giant bottle of Vimto being drunk by a medium-sized chocolate biscuit.) A move to the Baggies will finally provide Shorey with opportunity to get up-close and personal with his hero, Bolton’s dreamboat captain, Kevin – blue-eyed – Davies.

During his “nightmare” spell at Villa, Shorey also spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Fulham, where he notably played a part in their run to the final of the Europa League. One Fulham fan described watching him play as “like watching an angry lion”, though he then added “after it’s been tranquilised and is on the verge of gving up the fight”.

More distinguished, were his seven years at Reading. Under Steve Copell’s leadership in particular he flourished: becoming known for winning the ball back and – get this – finding a teammate with passes. His impressive displays of Total Football won him a place in the hearts of Reading fans who in 2007 voted him their best left-back ever. They also won him two England caps, under the coach we all remember for being*

Essentially his move to West Brom signals the low-key, sensible end to the career of a player who maximised his talent and the practical, economical solution to a promoted clubs lack of experience and capable left backs. Should all parties’ egos be suitably assauged with the correct amount of cash, a deal worth around £2million could go through in the next couple of days.

*The West Brom Blog blanked much of Steve McClaren’s tenure out.

Upon reading this post, you might wonder “why have you, The Blog, been so harsh in your appraisal of a decent enough player and signing?” Here, dear readers, comes the confession part of the post: frankly, there was little to write about Nicky Shorey and having to create anything at one in the morning is difficult, so, as writing mean things is always easier than writing nuetral, or clever things, The Blog decided to take some – largely unfair – shots at Shorey. All complaints should be directed towards this Twitter account.

Today’s point of hate again goes to you, the reader; making the overall score 3-2. Why? Because throwing insults at poor Nicky Shorey has made The West Brom Blog feel way too good about itself for It to get the point.