Striker light
So, here we are again, another great striker search for Blues.
Mikael Forssell's exit has meant that Alex McLeish is keen to recruit one more - if not two - forwards.
Jan Koller, the towering Czech, was tempted, but not that tempted when there's 40,000 big ones coming your way every week in Russia.
Some fans have expressed puzzlement, if not worry, about McLeish's targeting of the 'white Kevin Francis'.
Essentially, he was available for a knock-down fee, has presence and pedigree, if not the mobility McLeish would ideally like.
In an ideal world - ie Premier League land - McLeish would be in a position to have a bash at someone like Jason Roberts, of Blackburn Rovers.
His barrelling style would suit perfectly Blues needs. He is quick, strong and causes defenders problems.
Similarly Reading's rangy Dave Kitson would fit the bill. A target man who doesn't just do an impression of a telegraph pole. He can run, move, link play and score.
Those are the types McLeish would probably like, but we're not in that ideal world. Then again, sometimes you never know; witness the moves for Emile Heskey, Craig Bellamy, Mark Viduka and, er, Mido.
On the assumption that James McFadden will not be sold - and McLeish has told him that is the case - then with Cameron Jerome and Garry O'Connor too, that's not a bad attack for starters.
Jerome, in my opinion, can be an important player for Blues this coming season. There is no-one of his speed at the club, or perhaps in the division. And he will score, given the support.
But McLeish is scouring far and wide for another frontman, and will make sure he doesn't rush into anything.
Georgios Samaras (Manchester City), Andy Carroll (Newcastle United) are of that taller ilk too. Marcus Bent, who is back at Charlton Athletic, has the athelticism and size that makes him pesky.
Fraizer Campbell, scorer of 15 goals for play-off winners Hull City, is worth an inquiry, and it would not be a surprise to learn that McLeish has already contacted Manchester United. However, they might now want to cash in, for a big fee.
Up in Scotland, perhaps predictably, reports keep emanating that McLeish wants either Kris Boyd or Steven Fletcher.
Rangers appear quite happy to keep Boyd despite their recent splurge on three more strikers and McLeish's interest in him and Hibs Fletcher is not as huge as suggested.
Another player at Reading, Leroy Lita, should be seriously considered, especially as he is unsettled.
The loan route is an avenue that McLeish will go down, nearer the start of the season once Premier League managers have decided on the make-up of their own squads.
Whether it will be for a striker or to strengthen other areas depends on what business is done in the meantime.
Nicklas Bendtner's addition from Arsenal two years ago was a masterstroke but it is doubtful whether there will be another like him coming onto the temporary market.
Chelsea's Ben Sahar, the Israeli prodigy, is an interesting proposition. He's small but quick with a goalscorer's eye. He was loaned to QPR then Sheffield Wednesday last season, netting three times in 12 outings for the Owls.
In Adel Taarabt, Spurs have a magician of a player. Anyone who saw him conjure a goal for their reserves following a slaloming run on Martin Taylor's Blues comeback at Damson Park will tell you that.
He's more of a 'number 10' playmaker than an out-and-out striker but, boy, can he play.
If you look at the Championship scoring chart for last season, it makes interesting reading.
Wolves did well to snatch top marksman Sylvan Ebanks-Blake from Plymouth Argyle (23 league goals). Then came Kevin Phillips (22) - and how about Blues making a pitch for him, supplementary to what else McLeish does? As of Tuesday, he's on a free transfer for starters.
James Beattie (Sheffield United) also got 22 then came old friend Stern John (19), Kevin Lisbie (Charlton, 17) another old friend Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace, 16), followed by Richardo Fuller (Stoke City) and Campbell (both 15).
To go with what they have got, if McLeish brings in the right man - or men - then Blues attack could have a significant edge about it, especially if Gary McSheffrey rediscovers his potency again.
Personally, a player like Roberts would be the right fit or someone of the Lita mould. You can't have enough firepower, at any level, and Blues need a bit more pace and movement up the top end of the pitch to go with it.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
Some food for thought there. I hope Eck gets the money to spend and Fads stays. Roberts would be a very good shout.
Personally I would prefer him to concentrate on at least one quality midfielder, because without the bullets to fire you could put Ronaldo in our team and he would not score.
Exactly the same issue that Bruce failed to deal with over a number of seasons. Johnson/Muamba/nafti are not good enough as a pairing.
Successfull teams usually have one holding/defensive player,and the rest are to get or assist with scoring.
Eck is after a midfielder tho. We need class striker and class ballplayer in centre of park.
Colin, Do you think we will buy a creative central midfielder to hopefully play alongside Carsley? Or will we stick with the same old same old (DJ, Nafti ect) and then wonder match after match why we are so slow in attack and also dont create enough chances for our strikers.
KRO
oz, I think that's generally the idea, to replace Muamba with another central midfielder who is a bit different to Johnson and Nafti.
I agree with the poster who said the midfield is too defensive and doesn't support the strikers enough. Is Mutch the player to replace Muamba in CM to provide the creativity we desperately need with Carsley being the holding player?
Consider the following CM pairings :-
Lampard /Makelele
Fabregas/ Flamini
Arteta/ Carsley
Scholes/ Keane
Gerrard / Mascerano
They all have an attacking midfielder and a holding/ball winning midfielder. The reason we struggle to score goals is we use two defensive CM players and hence have to rely on either the lucky hoof to the strikers, service from the wings or a setpiece
I don't recall playing Arteta in central midfield too often. Maybe I should get my new assistant manager in quick !
we must take care not to be a dads army... mid 30 something... running out of steam = using a sub. with this in mind - we need players lasting a full 90 - then bring on players who can change the game.
i like the sound of some of tatts - youth players at the bigger clubs - surely we have enough experience with the existing players - add some skilled loan players.
by the way - i was chatting to a Everton season ticket holder - the everton fans are gutted about Carsley... they class him as the most under-rated player in the premier... and therefore only can conclude a real-deal.
still need another keeper - central defender - midfield - forward... i was wondering if the flying dutchman maybe ok at this level?
can not wait now - keep right on.
we need to spend some serious cash to set this squad going.
for example anew striker, obviously, like Marcus Bent or Dave Kitson. But we need to buy the best that we can Possibly get if we want to see the Premiership again.
someone to replace Kapo, who seems bound on leaving, and also McSheffrey seems out of form.
2 centre mid's now muamba is gone and Nafti doesn't seem to be able to cut it.
And most importantly NEW CENTRE BACKS. tthis is because of the rediculous goals that Blues conceded last year. If we had a defence that knew what it was doing half of the time we would still be a Premiership club.
pls pls dont buy kevin phillips.wot is it with villa players or ex villa players sort it out blues
Why are we buying old men on cheap, i understand that football is a business, but why are the Blues selling young gifted players, and buying old men, which might last the year,and with no imagination they are not good enough for premier league, which means no forward planning for the future, all the midfield are not creative enough to help the forwards score the goals to go up, unless we are going to bore our way to promotion and hope we scrape one nil wins, we got promoted last time with young players
no imagination,