 In preparation for 1998 – 99 , he signed athletic Derby centre @-@ back Matt Carbon for £ 800 @,@ 000 , Blackpool striker James Quinn for £ 500 @,@ 000 , and Manchester City defender Jason van <unk> for £ 50 @,@ 000 . He also brought in winger Mark Angel , midfielders Mario <unk> and Enzo Maresca , and striker Fabian de Freitas . However , the player who had the greatest impact for West Brom was young striker Lee Hughes , who had been signed before Smith 's arrival but only made his first start under Smith . Aside from Maresca , many of Smith 's signings had little impact , and supporters criticised him for allowing popular goalkeeper Alan Miller and strikers Andy Hunt and Bob Taylor to leave the club . West Broom started the season well with Hughes in tremendous form , but a slump in form in March 1999 left them ending up in 12th place . Smith was sacked on 27 July 1999 , just a week before the start of 1999 – 2000 . 
