Baggies Broadcast mailbag: Signings, Heggem, Palmer & West Brom defensive changes

Albion fans have been getting in touch with the Baggies Broadcast this week, to put their burning questions to Lewis Cox and Jonny Drury. Unfortunately, they weren't able to answer all of them on this week's jam packed podcast.

However, Jonny has gone through the remaining questions and given his answers to some big topics among the Baggies fanbase. Check out his answers below:

All Albion Fans - Which January signing do you think will get the most game time between now and the end of the season?

I think the obvious answer to this is Adam Armstrong. He's coming in as a proven Championship player who can score goals, and that is exactly what Albion need. It would surprise me if he doesn't feature in the majority of the games between now and the end of the campaign.

Behind that, I would say Isaac Price. He's already shown glimpses of what he can do, and after the trip to Plymouth last week, for me, there needs to be a bit of a shake up in midfield. Price has the attributes to cover a number of different roles in there and he has already impressed Mowbray.

I think from Andrew Nestor's comments, Tammer Bany may be one for the future but they also have plans for him for the here and now, so I can see him featuring heavily.

Will Lankshear remains to be seen. Prior to Armstrong's arrival, he was certainly going to be the main man in Josh Maja's absence, but he may be restricted to less game time now.

Lee Southall - Do you think Josh Griffiths will be able to step up to the Championship. Or do you think Joe Wildsmith will start?

In short, yes, I think he can. He's been highly rated at Albion for some time now, and has almost 160 senior appearances to his name across the EFL.

He came in for ten league games in the season before last in Alex Palmer's absence and did well. There were a couple of dodgy moments in there, but back then it was to be expected. Since then he has been back on loan and excelled, and been in and around the England under 21 set up.

He's trodden the same path as Palmer in getting his experience, he's proved himself and now it is his chance to shine.

Sunil Patel - Where would you rank Alex Palmer in terms of our recent goalkeepers in the modern era, lets say from 2000 to the likes of Hoult, Kusczack and Foster etc? And can Griffiths step up to the standards he has set?

Tough question. For me, Foster is at the top of that tree, he was an exceptional keeper.

I would say Palmer may not sit on the same level as Russell Hoult in terms of winning promotions, but, attributes wise he does. I've been one to question his distribution at times, but his key goalkeeping skills in terms of shot stopping and one v ones are second to none.

They are your bread and butter as a keeper, and he's showed he has quality in those areas. That's ultimately why he is now a Premier League player.

Chris Adams - Do you know if the club tried to extend Alex Palmer's contract and if that had anything to do with selling him while he still had value?

This is something we don't know. He signed a long extension only a few summers ago, his second extension. I would be surprised if the club had any plans to extend again, given the goalkeeping production line Albion have.

Like Lewis has explained this week, Albion were planning on possibly moving a goalkeeper on in the summer to help the finances. For me, that would have been Palmer. So it made since to accept a decent offer now, with 18 months still left on his deal.

Baggies Tom - What was your favourite bit of business done by Albion in the window?

You'd have to say the Armstrong deal. It is a statement of intent from Albion that they still have that attraction and pull, it shows Bilkul's vision, and it shows Albion can still juggle things and financially compete.

To be honest, all of them are exciting. Bany for me is the other one. Exciting from what we have seen but an unknown quantity. He's in the mould of Koren and Teixeira. We knew little about them and look what they went on to do under Mowbray's guidance.

Leo Watkins - If I'd told you two months ago that by the end of January we'd have lost Corberan and Palmer, would you have thought it was a good window?

I'd have probably laughed to be honest. That shows how quickly it change. If they were the only two things to happen in a window, then you'd be worried.

But shrewd business with the four signings, and arguably the unofficial fifth signing being Mowbray coming back, has been massive.

Clint McCormick - Do you think Leeds advancing in the FA Cup this weekend is advantageous to us or is it better that the game stays on March 1?

Much of a muchness really. I imagine if Leeds progress then it would be a fully free weekend for Albion on March 1. That may be seen as good to rest the players and give Mowbray more time on the training field.

But equally, if they are on a good run then, you don't want to something to stunt momentum.

Darren Pemberton - Understand the club required the money, however doesn't give the great picture when we sell our assets and foundation for a return in the Prem if it is doable?

I think it is about striking a balance when bids come in. In the past, Albion have flat refused fees or allowed contracts to run down. Palmer was subject of a bid from Luton in the summer before last and the club turned it down.

Looking at it now, £5m is a decent bid for a keeper of his age with 18 months left on his deal. We've heard tales in the past, back in the Premier League days, of big bids being turned down for players who are replaceable.

I think that is another key here, Palmer is replaceable, despite how well he has done.. We hear how highly rated Griffiths is and he has excelled now in League Two and One. This represents the next step for him.

Tonky Towers - Heggem hasn't been his usual composed self over the last couple of games. I'm a big Styles fan, his energy, enthusiasm, desire to get forward. He's not a full back though and is being targeted. Is this gap impact on Heggem's performances?

It is an interesting point I raised in my quick fire analysis after Plymouth. I thought defensively they were both found wanting, Heggem for the first time really.

But like you say, his recent displays have been a bit off colour. I think having Kyle Bartley back in there will help if he stays at centre back.

The other line to this is, would Albion be better if Heggem went back out to left back?

He was faultless there earlier in the campaign, and only stepped across due to injuries. Styles then came in and excelled, certainly offensively. Going the other way, there are question marks and he will know that because he isn't a left back by trade.

But if Mowbray made that move, where would Styles fit in? Does he dislodge someone in the middle of the park? Maybe, because he is a top quality player. Either way, it is a thought that may just have crossed Mowbray's mind.