Carsley coup
As a start, it's a good one.
Lee Carsley is a trooper, a fine player, a fine professional and someone who will give a lead to the rest around him.
That he is from a family of Blues nuts, in the heartland of Sheldon, is good too.
Speaking to him for an interview in Tuesday's Birmingham Mail, it's clear he doesn't think his luck's in at the age of 34. Back to the home town, couple of years, take it nice and steady, that kind of thing.
Not Carsley, he's not constructed that way. Throughout our conversation, it was clear that he's on a mission: a new start to keep him fresh, a challenge to help revive Blues and help them progress.
And he wants promotion all right. Nothing else will do, and that is encouraging. In fact, he wants the title. That's a great statement of intent, it sets the right tone.
Let's face it, Blues should not be targeting anything less. With the squad there at present, and with Alex McLeish allowed to mould things to his liking (there's £12 million parachute money that should all be spent, for instance), Blues should charge at the league head-on next season.
Carsley could have continued for another year at Goodison Park, providing the best supporting actor role to the leading lights of Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and the like yet again.
And the Championship is a more rugged terrain than the top-half of the Premier League and the UEFA Cup.
Somehow, you sense that Carsley won't go missing and think in mid-winter 'what on earth have I done?'.
He's from good Brummie stock and, in fact, it jumps out at you that he's perfect captain material.
Not that McLeish has yet decided, nor is that a slight on Damien Johnson, who isn't that comfortable with the armband in any case.
Some people seem to think that Carsley's arrival spells the end of Johnson at Blues. Mehdi Nafti has been re-engaged on another year's contract, and Fabrice Muamba is a force at Championship level. Jordon Mutch will be involved in the senior squad too.
It is true that Johnson's body is creaking, and he played on through various ailments on many occasions last season unbeknown to most.
The bottom line is that Carsley's signing sends out a good signal, it increases the competition and it's unlikely to be the last for midfield either.
To get through 46 league games next season, and the cups, it's two-a-week stuff and Blues have to be well equipped.
Last season, Blues were left short by putting the workload - and the creative onus, which is not their forte - on two from Johnson, Nafti and Muamba in the middle of the park.
Carsley can do a bit of everything well, and if he can unleash a few more thunderbolts like the one that did for Blues in November - his only goal for Everton last term, would you believe - all the better.
Stephen Clemence was the driving force behind Blues last promotion. Carsley could be the 2008-09 version.
After our on the record conversation finished, Carsley was keen to chat about various aspects of Blues. He was very clued-up on the present mood of discontent, and what needs to be done to bring it all back to life.
Very much like McLeish, he senses that the depressive, oppressive cloud needs to be lifted from St Andrew's. He's prepared to do his bit.
As I said, as a start, it's a good one.
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Colin Tattum
Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
Whilst not knowing much about Lee as a player, everthing I have read suggests this is a great signing for Blues. Everton fans are gutted he is leaving which is usually a good indicator.
All wrapped up quickly too, which is very un-Blues like ;-). Lets hope we have cleared the air from all of the negativity of last season, and we get through the summer in the same manner as we have started.
KRO
I think that Carsley is just the type of player we need, because he is the type of player which the club, by and large has been built upon, solid, tough hard-working grafters.
I for one think he'll be a good signing, giving the midfield that bite it was so lacking in last year, and it'll potentially help the likes of muamba develop - be it into this all-conquering patrick viera-esque player, or a more defensive role, it'll help him no end.
The fact that he's a Brummie and a from a family of bluenoses will already be a winner as he is aware of what the fans like. Against the villa last season, there wasn't any homegrown talent on show, and it showed.
I'd like to think that this season we will see the young members of the squad coming through. one of the worst acts that blues ever did was scrap the youth system for a couple of seasons, it put us on the backfoot for many a year.
it looks like terry westley is forming a very good reserve set-up there and it'd be great if we had one or two coming through, as, this will prove to be a fantastic motivation to others in the youth team, but also to those young kids in the crowd who want to play for the blues.
the thing that strikes me about mcleish, is calmness. a methodical thinker who says little but thinks a lot.
now that the dust has settled after relegation, i don't blame the players totally for what happened. there was some lack performances and they didnt just didnt perform when it needed to in crunch games. defensively, i think that'll be rectified with two new centre backs. i worry about ridgewell and jaidi in the championship again, i'd have them as back-up to be honest.
i believe that our problem lay at the fact that we didnt invest enough in january, and i lay that blame at the board. plenty has been said about what happened on the last game of the season with regards the board, but when all is said and done, but the manager can only do his best with what he's given in terms of money. that's my opinion on that.
personally, as someone who in the 20-odd years supporting blues has only ever seen them in the top flight for four seasons, its a 'hello' to the friendly championship again.
we all know the premier league is the place to be for money and prestige, but we all know that we have fun in the championship. for a starters, you can go to more away games as it's cheaper and i think you get a greater sense of camararde, odd i know, but that's how i see it anyway!!
i've been there for the bad times, the low attendances etc... and like the stupid sucker i am, i shall probably be renewing my season ticket by next week.
why? because it's something that deep down, i would miss totally and whilst i've not got any kids to look after, i'll keep going to the blues.
that said, i can't wait to take my first child to a blues game, so that they can resent me for their footballing loyalty in years to come!!
and to all of those who are still grieving, don't worry, you'll get better in time. we'll get promoted again, and im pretty sure we'll get relegated again, so just deal with it and once those fixtures come out in june, you'll all be scrambling for them!!
keep right on
I wont say many words as ive only got a small pen.
Welcome Mr Lee.
Letts see more british buldogs at B6.
Carlsey is rubbish
The end
i know gravesens mate and your not him.
Mr Lee is good,so shut your face.