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Football

20th Jul 2016

Two more Premier League suitors join the race to sign Shane Duffy

Wanted man

Patrick McCarry

Shane Duffy would fit in well with the Baggies.

You can add two more suitors to this summer’s pursuit of the Derry defender.

Celtic, Swansea and Wolves are already looking at Duffy but this morning brings news of two teams joining the chase.

Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle stated, on last weekend, that he was looking to get Duffy signed up to a new contract.

The 24-year-old has 12 months left on his Rovers deal and is a wanted man after showing steel at Euro 2016. Irish Independent reports that Crystal Palace and West Brom are interested in the former Everton centre back.

West Brom means Tony Pulis and all the defensive organisation and nous he offers his players.

Millwall v Blackburn Rovers - Sky Bet Championship

At present, West Brom have Jonny Evans and James Chester as their main centre backs. Pulis is looking to add more defensive talent, and grit, to his back four after witnessing his team stall badly in the final months of last season.

The Baggies were set for a comfortable top 10 finish until they slipped into cruise control for the run-in. After beating Manchester United 1-0 at The Hawthorns, Pulis’ side took four points from a possible 27 and finished down in 14th. During that winless run of nine games, they only managed to keep one clean sheet.

At the start of last season, after five clean sheets in their opening five games, Pulis spoke about being “pigeon-holed” as a defensive coach. He commented:

“I think that’s the basis that I’ve always managed on ever since I’ve started. A team has to have a foundation.

“If I was managing Real Madrid, it would be different. With all of their players you could outscore teams and not worry too much about being too defensive.”

West Brom are certainly not Real Madrid but they are a solid Premier League outfit. Duffy’s interest will be piqued.

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