Post Derby County
Interesting couple of comments from Alex McLeish to the press, including the club's own website, about transfers.
He has stated what he wants - a centre-half, a striker - and has put it firmly into the board's lap.
Before Derby County, he made it clear that they have a list of names, and it's 'in the hands of our administration'.
After Derby he continued the theme: 'The board are trying to help me get a couple of players in. I've left it up to them in terms of negotiations.'
McLeish said he hopes lightning doesn't strike twice, referring to Gary Cahill a year ago.
In other words, McLeish has put the heat on the co-owners and Karren Brady to deliver the players he would like.
If they don't come, or it's a case of having to make do with the third or four choices, then he shouldn't take all the flak.
It's a risky strategy, yet McLeish probably feels that after all the criticism he has had in recent weeks enough is enough and he needs help from those above.
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I'm not claiming to be the first to see the parallels between the Derby County game of October 2006 and last night's.
Yet wasn't it uncanny?
Back then Blues had performed abysmally against Norwich City and Steve Bruce was under huge pressure.
He shook the side up, recalled Martin Taylor, Stephen Clemence and Damien Johnson, and Blues came though via Clemence's deflected winner.
Under the cosh after Blackpool, Alex McLeish faced Derby next up as well.
He recalled Taylor last night, brought back David Murphy, started Keith Fahey and opted to use Sebastian Larsson at right-back, and Lee Bowyer at right midfield, until he then gambled again by switching Hameur Bouazza and Bowyer on the flanks.
Blues had some luck - luck that has deserted them in recent weeks - and didn't function in a dreary first-half.
But after the break they got about it better and Lee Carsley's goal lifted confidence and the mood.
It's clearly going to take time to get Blues playing the sort of football most people are aching to see.
Fahey was encouraging, Bouazza again was a threat. Both should get better the more they settle, same as Scott Sinclair.
McLeish needs to decide on a team and settle on it and that St Andrew's pitch has to go.
Players have told me the top surface is so crumbly and the grass so short that when they kick through a ball they take up a divot, which then leaves it uneven and bobbly.
How many times did Kevin Phillips lose his footing? The Sinclair miss at the end was a symptom of the players trying to be extra careful.
In 2006, Bruce would not have got sacked had Blues lost to Derby. Had it been another horror show, possibly.
Similarly last night, those calling for McLeish's head would have been disappointed if it had been 0-1.
Blues board don't bin managers after 12 - 18 months.
I was told on Monday that McLeish had their support and they would back him to ride out the storm and, eventually, come good.
They want to see better football and results, and McLeish has been told that.
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The Birmingham Mail's live match blogs are proving popular, and they provide an instant barometer of feeling among fans.
Last night we had Alex McLeish being unable to motivate and having lost the dressing room, that old chestnut.
The first point, given Blues record in the crunch games, there is cause to wonder.
Yet against the Rams the team were 'up' for it and put themselves on the line, particularly at the end.
Before Blackpool, I'm told that McLeish made a rousing pre-match speech and the mood was of a fired-up group; then Blues went and performed like they did.
In fact, speaking to one player, he told me that he had sympathy for McLeish because training was always thorough, everybody knew what they should be doing on a Saturday, what to expect from the opposition and the game-plan 'but no-one performed, he was let down'.
McLeish hasn't lost the dressing room. There are always malcontents at any club and, even though he still has plans to clear several out, there's no revolt.
And motivation comes from within the player, as well as from the motivator.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
Tatts,
You really should stop propagating the myth that Messrs Sullivan and Gold are the "co-owners" of Birmingham City. They're not, they're large shareholders in a PLC. Carson Yeung owns more shares than either of these gentlemen, and so surely has more right to be described as a "co-owner" of the club? yet I never hear him described as such, nor is he consulted on transfers in the way the two lesser shareholders are. It's not healthy to keep fuelling their sense of self-importance in this way.
Tatts:
What do you think of the new series of Shameless?
Cheers, Fred.
Tatts, Its always good to get your insights.
I came away from St Andrews mildly encouraged last night.
I di think,as you say, McLeish must play his best team consistently.Which as far as I can see is pretty much the 1 last night,with a central defender of more quality added.There has been far too much chopping and changing.
Tatts,
In light of Savo's pre-match comments stating the way he regrets his actions in engineering a move to Blackburn and that he 'loves' the Blues, did he actually meet up with and shake hands with Gold and Sullivan at any point yesterday? Also, any news on Costly and Sonko? Only five and a bit days to go and nothing has happened as of yet...
Cheers.
Tatts what do you think of A&E's match report?
IP, I take your point about the use of 'co-owners'. However, their shareholding combined, they have more than Carson Yeung. The act in tandem and therefore have more power than him. Yeung has shown no inclination to get involved after his failed nominations at the EGM and the current directors make all the decisions at the club. Yeung may have the largest individual shareholding but he is a 'sleeper' and it makes no sense for him to do what he is (or is not rather) doing. 'Co-owners' is primarily a simplified term of reference so readers effectively understand who is in charge.
As for transfers, talks still on-going.
Great insight into behind the scenes, appreciated. I'm normally pretty cynical when it comes to our board, yet this summer they allowed AM to keep the players he wanted (McFadden, Larsson for example)and for this level the likes of Carsley and Phillips should be more than good enough (and not cheap with their Bosman style wages). Our squad on paper looks the strongest in the league at this level yet on the pitch I can't recall a single game this season where we have played consistently.
AM has been chasing a centre half for three transfer windows now. I think he is fantastic with his PR off the pitch. It concerns me that he cannot seem to get the best out of the team. While players must take responsibility for themselves the buck stops with the manager. Didn't AM make a similar pre-match speech before the Fulham away game last season ? He is very lucky to have the squad we have at this level. Changing the team around so often will not breed the continuity the team needs. Whilst delighted with the result last night the atmosphere was flat (at best !) If this isn't the start of a decent run I can't see how the missing fans will come back. We should use the pitch to our advantage too if it not going to get any better !
Us fans sometimes forget the board see the club as more of a business and they would find it hard to justify sacking a manager with ãxm left on his contract when we are third in the league.
I thought last night was all about the result.
Lee Bowyer looks a great buy.Already he has played at least three different midfield positions in three games.
A settled team is a must even if it means upsetting so called big name players.
About time Eck gave it to the board. Brady blabs about our business in her column so it's up to her to deliver a class centre half now if Eck has passed on the targets. If they don't there will be hell to pay
Spot on Kev !
If Brady really cared about the club she would have stopped working for the Sun after the disgraceful way they reported the Taylor and Eduardo incident.
Im sure she would have but MONEY TALKS !
Yeah but MONEY IN not MONEY OUT
Colin
I always try to see the positive things ,it makes for a happier life but I am struggling with Sinclair & Buoazza! Nowhere near as good as players already on the staff I`m counting down the days till Sinclairs loan is up!
weak, ineffective, uninterested and they are his strong points!
We will be champs you mark my words
KRO
Steve, i couldn't agree more mate. The thing is i've got this feeling that its going to be same old same old at the Blues, transfer window running out and still no centre back ! Maybe the loss of hunger from the board is what is rubbing off on the playing field?!?!
Plain and simple
New centre half and striker IN
Big Eck OUT