The Birmingham Thread

[Sparky]

Thought we should have a thread on them.

Their doing very well this season, unbeaten in 11 games is it?

They've had a £2.9m offer for Michel accepted and they have made a bid for Babel who could be interested in moving there.

They supposedly have £40m odd to spend but McLeish said he doesn't want to spend a lot.

[intotheforest]

Of course he doesn't. Why fix something which isn't broken.

Looked poor when they played us the other week though; although in fairness it was a blend of subs/first team.

[EarZ]

god i remember wen we played them and although we only won with a last minute goal, they were awful! they must have improved alot

[libertine]

I have been pimping Roger Johnson for the last couple of years - And he has been an absoloute rock at the back for them.

Well organised unit but no way they can keep it up, especially looking forwards at 'second season syndrome'.

As McLeish has the money to spend, he should bring some flair players in now and integrate them into the team and slowly start changing the way they play.

They are in the lucky position of already pretty much having Premier League football next season sewn up. So they can now start planning their next stage.

[grobbelaargate]

Doing extremely well and it's mainly down to continuity within the lineup. First few games they looked like the whipping boys, but McLeish has stuck with the same team week in, week out and they've eventually gelled, thus being unbeaten in 11

Last thing McLeish wants to do now is bring in a big time Charlie who won't pull his weight because that will divide the dressing room. I'm sure McLeish will know what he's doing.

[Sparky]

£8m bid for Babel turned down.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/8443286.stm

[Redhat]

Originally Posted by Sparky

£8m bid for Babel turned down.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/8443286.stm

im not sure who's dumber, liverpool for turning that down, or birmingham for even making the bid.

[Dave_BCFC]

Originally Posted by EarZ

god i remember wen we played them and although we only won with a last minute goal, they were awful! they must have improved alot

Problem early on was no one was quite sure what our best XI was and McLeish kept playing this bloody 4-5-1 system with dire results and performances, the fans really got on his back about it after the Villa game and he switched it to a 4-4-2, we haven't really looked back since.

Really need a striker in the 10 million bracket and a creative midfielder to sustain to run, the current team needs tweaking rather than major rebuilding, the problem being the final 3rd as the Defence and Midfield is fine.

The Forest game proved the Reserves are not really up to scratch, but i'd prefer to take our chances with limited quality and buy decent in summer than panic buy now and knacker everything.

Im not so sure about second season sydrome, we expected that with Bruce and finished 10th...

[scottdc]

Brum have been after that michel for ages now, can't say i know a great deal about him.

Brum's success is down to a good defence, inexperienced but they work together well and have implemented a system that suits their style. They have a good goalkeeper and a midfield that is having a bit of a renaissance, bowyer, ferguson etc.

[Dave_BCFC]

Originally Posted by scottdc

Brum have been after that michel for ages now, can't say i know a great deal about him.

Should of got him in summer but the previous penny pinching board p!ssed the Spanish off with their pathetic haggling, Carson Yeung appears more willing to put his money where his mouth is.

[Sparky]

BBC

Birmingham City have signed playmaker Michel from Sporting Gijon for £3m.

The deal is subject to the 24-year-old midfielder, who Birmingham boss Alex McLeish tried to sign in the summer, passing a medical.

Michel is due to say his goodbyes to Sporting on Friday before departing for England to undergo his medical.

The Spaniard, who will be McLeish's first signing of the transfer window, is unlikely to to registered in time to face Manchester United on Saturday.

[libertine]

Anyone who listens to Football Weekly are all pronoucning Sporting Gijon in a certain way right now....

[Dandy]

Is Christian Benitez still horrible?

[libertine]

He seems to be brilliant...

...Until he gets 15 yards within the goal.


Big, strong, quick, good with the ball at his feet...........couldn't hit Michelle McManus' arse.

[Dandy]

Well, hopefully that can be fixed to an extent. At least he's not totally useless.

[adafàbregas]

Originally Posted by libertine

Anyone who listens to Football Weekly are all pronoucning Sporting Gijon in a certain way right now....

Gee-*hon

* phlegm

I love football weekly. It's a bit like people who don't like cars watch Top Gear. I think I'd listen to it even if I didn't like football.

[libertine]

Originally Posted by adafàbregas

Gee-*hon

* phlegm

I love football weekly. It's a bit like people who don't like cars watch Top Gear. I think I'd listen to it even if I didn't like football.

Indeed.

Glendenning is my hero.

It's fvcking brilliant. I can't believe Richardson can't get a TV job, when you look at the dross out there.

I guess 'Joe public' wouldn't enjoy the puns though

[adafàbregas]

I never disagree with a word that Barry says. Well except when he defends Collymore. Last season when Chelsea lost to Barca. He was pure gold.

[libertine]

Originally Posted by adafàbregas

I never disagree with a word that Barry says. Well except when he defends Collymore. Last season when Chelsea lost to Barca. He was pure gold.

To be fair - I have a bit of defensiveness for Colly too, he sometimes gets slated when theres no need.

The thing I love iwth Football Weekly is that they just say what they want. None of this pussyfooting. They just tell it as it is.

[Heneage]

Benitez offers enough to justify his place, the guys sheer pace scares the **** out of defenders. I like Birmingham, I did hate them after a visit tot StAndrews but they have 2-3 likeable players.

[ChrisFill]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Thought we should have a thread on them.

Their doing very well this season, unbeaten in 11 games is it?

They've had a £2.9m offer for Michel accepted and they have made a bid for Babel who could be interested in moving there.

They supposedly have £40m odd to spend but McLeish said he doesn't want to spend a lot.

Would be amazing if Babel went there in January, they could easy finish in top 7 now. Anyway, you can watch Birmingham's game against Man utd online - http://tiny.cc/livefooty , also Arsenal vs Everton. I've got a feeling Birmingham could do it today, especially looking a Utd's form.

Chris,

[Dave_BCFC]

Originally Posted by Heneage

Benitez offers enough to justify his place, the guys sheer pace scares the **** out of defenders. I like Birmingham, I did hate them after a visit tot StAndrews but they have 2-3 likeable players.

Im not sure Benitez has done enough to make his loan move permenant, he's strong, holds the ball up and has skill, but for all that his shooting and goal tally doesn't really justify an 11 million price tag, rich mans Emile Heskey i reckon.

[Dave_BCFC]

Originally Posted by ChrisFill

they could easy finish in top 7 now.

above 7th you run into the likes of Man City, Liverpool etc, too big an ask to get Europe via the league this season.

[dixie]

Originally Posted by intotheforest

Of course he doesn't. Why fix something which isn't broken.

Looked poor when they played us the other week though; although in fairness it was a blend of subs/first team.

They were poor against us with their first team as well.

Everytime I see them they get more points than they deserve out of a game and have been extremely lucky this season. It won't last.

[Sinate NZ]

Good to see Larsson doing well. Been one of thier best this season.