Ally Robertson: Daniel Sturridge deal is good but keeping Jonny Evans just as important

It was plainly obvious the Baggies needed a goalscorer, and it’s great to see Alan Pardew and Nicky Hammond snag one of pure class until the end of the season.

But just as important as his arrival, has been the ability to keep Jonny Evans at the club for a few more months.

I don’t know about you, but I’d resigned myself to losing our skipper was leaving for pastures new, so the fact he’s still here feels as good as a new signing to me.

There’s no such thing as ‘too good to go down’, but the quality that Albion now boast in the squad is arguably better than anything we’ve had in the Premier League era.

Normally, if your team were entering February bottom of the table it would be cause for panic.

But considering how congested the table is and how much Pardew has improved performances in recent weeks, the feeling is much more positive than that.

A couple of wins could shoot the team up the table, but then again, a couple of defeats could leave us cut adrift.

I wish we had played better at Manchester City, because it’s in danger of bringing the team back down to earth after the brilliant win at Anfield.

It’s crucial to keep that momentum going in the next few weeks because the winnable home games coming up will define our season.

Sturridge will hopefully help us win those games, but he’s a poacher who will thrive on decent service.

We’ve got to get the balls to him in the box, and let him do the rest. If we just hit them aimlessly up to him like we used to with Salomon Rondon, then he won’t score.

He needs to work off another striker, but whether that’s Rondon or Jay Rodriguez, I’m not sure.

The Venezuelan is the natural target-man but Rodriguez can’t stop scoring at the moment.

Finally, I can't let this day pass without mentioning my old pal Cyrille. It's going to be the most emotional game at The Hawthorns since Astle Day three years ago.

Cyrille was a legend for so many reasons, not just for his ability on the football pitch, but for his personality off it.

The whole 1978 team is due to be there today to pay tribute to him, and we are looking forward to seeing the scarves held aloft just like the old days.

Hopefully the existing team manage to put on a show worthy of his memory.