WEST Brom have hit back at suggestions that their lack of transfer window activity reflects a loss of ambition.

The Barclaycard Premiership strugglers, who play hosts to Wanderers on Saturday in a crucial relegation battle, have come under fire from supporters after Nigerian international wing-back Ifeanyi Udeze proved their only pre-deadline signing - and even he is only on loan.

But managing director Brendon Batson has moved to quell fears that the Baggies - off the bottom as a result of Saturday's shock victory at Manchester City - are already resigned to their relegation fate.

"I hope the fans don't see it as lack of ambition and I trust they are not disenchanted," he said.

"We still feel we have as good a chance to preserve our Premiership status as any of the teams down at the bottom.

"For a multitude of reasons, we haven't been able to sign as many players as we had hoped. But it definitely hasn't been for the want of trying. In some cases, it was the player's terms that prevented a deal. In others, it was the fee. We were quoted a price of £8million for one player.

"What we weren't prepared to do, though, was jeopardise the future of the club by being held to ransom. We didn't want to sign players who would not improve the squad either."

Albion agreed terms with Tim Sherwood, only for the Tottenham midfielder to join First Division Portsmouth instead - while Valencia forward Salva Ballesta preferred to link up with his close friend Campo at the Reebok rather than move to The Hawthorns.

There were also moves for Crewe striker Rob Hulse, American international Tony Senneh and Spaniard Roberto Rios - but none came to fruition.

"All managers want to sign players, but I can assure our supporters we don't have an unhappy manager," added Batson.

"All this is about more than just this season."

Meanwhile, Albion manager Gary Megson has praised Sean Gregan for the way he has responded to being made captain.

Gregan, signed from Preston last summer, took over the armband when Derek McInnes was axed against Charlton and he stayed as skipper for the win at Maine Road.

Megson said: "His performance against Charlton was very good and he eclipsed that against Manchester City when I thought he was our best player. He has responded well to the added responsibility of being made captain - as he did also earlier in the season."