West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has explained their swoop for West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass.
Snodgrass, 33, is expected to complete a free transfer from West Ham on Friday after completing his medical, having agreed an 18-month deal at The Hawthorns.
The winger will become Allardyce's first signing since he took over from Slaven Bilic last month.
Snodgrass will join a club deep in a relegation battle, but Allardyce said he had experience and leadership qualities which can prove vital for West Brom in the coming months.
“I hope he's like Gary Speed for me at Bolton," said Allardyce, who signed the then 34-year-old Speed from Newcastle in 2004.
“He might be getting on but in his mind he still thinks he's 20. He runs all day, he's got great quality and a huge amount of experience, and he never gives up.
“Hopefully that will rub off on some of these players who will look at him and say, 'My word'. Lifting the spirits and lifting the standards is very important at a professional football club and even more important at a Premier League club."
