'Shergar' comes to Edgar Street

Simon Wright has seen Sherjill MacDonald in action.

I have huge respect for Albion manager Tony Mowbray and I can't help liking "Shergar" (as he's commonly known) but the truth of the matter is that he's one of those players who is great in training but can't do it on the big day.

Let's put it this way ... the Chairman of WBASC has privately offered to streak the full length of Gornal High Street if McDonald ever scores in a competitive match for the Baggies. Its ironic that one of the few games that McDonald actually found the net in any kind of match was in the pre-season friendly at Edgar Street. I remember thinking at the time, I could have a tee shirt made up "I've seen MacDonald score".

Sherjar is big, he's strong and quick but in front of goal he just can't do it. Having been on loan for a full year without a single goal to his name or a single start, most Albionites were rather surprised that we've bought him. But that's Mogga - his forte is developing players who find realising their potential quite elusive. He came to us as a central striker and in desperation, he's been tried as an attacking left-sided midfielder. As a substitute, he has made an impact occasionally on the left - notably he had Coventry's defence worried (mind, who doesn't?) and more impressively the mean men of Stoke. McDonald can go past an opponent, a couple at a time even in head down and charge forward but his crossing isn't exactly Ainsworth quality.

Recently, he had a few minutes at Deepdale as Albion forlornly chased a deficit. I don't think he touched the ball. Prior to that he came on a late substitute in he Cup replay at Charlton. Thanks to a last minute equaliser from the Londoners, Sherjar played nearly 45 minutes - one of his longest spells in a single game. Playing as a central striker, he was set up with two glorious chances and missed them both. Generally though, he's only been a bit part player whose influence has been limited hence he hasn't been ridiculed. He's come off the bench 25 times this season alone plus another dozen from last season.

He is best remembered for his penalty miss last season against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Fifth Round replay shootout. But I said at the time, good on him for volunteering when others such as "pub player" and then Captain Curtis Davies was hanging back.

Maybe this move will make him. Forwards do get stressed without a goal, (don' t they Mr. Sills?) and a full year without must prey on his mind. Albion now have Phillips, Bednar, Miller, Beattie and the returned Sluariski to pick from up front in their bid to score 100 League goals so Sherjar won't get a look in. It will be most interesting to see how he adapts.

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