What, no Quincy?
That boy Quincy . . . he's gone then.
Shame really. It started so promisingly for Quincy. He even had a song made up within minutes of his debut as a substitute against Wycombe Wanderers. That's not bad going in itself.
Despite some bright, encouraging cameos, Alex McLeish ultimately felt that he wasn't the one to provide Blues with an X factor.
McLeish has another player in mind, someone he believes can bring the same sort of devil and excitement, but more consistency and defensive aptitude.
McLeish was never totally convinced by what Quincy added. Towards the end of the loan from Spartak Moscow, which was up for review on Monday, he felt the end product was missing.
That's why Quincy was never able to nail a regular starting position. As an impact player, coming off the bench, was how McLeish felt he was at his most useful.
Quincy was dangerous dribbling with the ball, running from deep into space. He could stretch the play and relieve the pressure on the defence better than anybody. And Blues could well miss that as there is no other player on the staff capable of racing from one end to the other at such pace, or lifting the crowd.
But coaching-wise, Blues couldn't always get through to him. They wanted him to take up positions whereby he could go one-on-one against the full-back, but often Quincy watched the game unfold rather than manoeuvred himself into space in order to play a fuller part.
In the Swansea City game - by which time Quincy had already been told he would not be staying, incidentally - there was that moment at the end when Cameron Jerome laid the ball back across the face of goal and he was 30 yards away when he should have anticipated what was going on and bust a gut to get into the box.
Quincy preferred the ball at his feet, and he was often stationary when he got it, allowing defenders to fall back and double up.
The cost of his loan and wages - about £750,000 - was high and McLeish told the Birmingham Mail that the money earmarked for a renewal could be put to better use to make the team 'stronger' as a whole. Budget played a big part in his decision.
So why did he sign Quincy in the first place?
McLeish had asked about, among others, Chelsea's Scott Sinclair, but told nothing was doing at least until this month. Quincy was available, albeit at quite a price, and his natural ability, pace and skill was a tempting package.
McLeish spoke to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and was told not to hesitate and get him: 'He will make the difference', said the Emirates sage.
The transfer took a while to press through as Spartak had insisted on a season-long loan with a view to a £4 million permanent transfer, on promotion. The Blues board fought hard for an August - January loan, with an option. They were always uncomfortable at the amount they were paying.
Personally, I would have given Quincy his head and picked him more often than not, regardless of his foibles. Sometimes you have to indulge maverick wingers, let the opposition worry about what damage they can do and accept that if the rest of the team is tight and disciplined, some slack can be cut.
On the other hand, if Quincy's exit does mean that the team becomes more productive - and a better or more suitable replacement is drafted in - then fair enough. The manager has to be allowed to manage; it's his call.
And I suppose if Quincy was more Stan Lazaridis than Louie Donowa, we wouldn't be debating this issue anyway.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
Hi Tatts,
Thanks for the info - i kind of guessed he would be on his way after you mentioned the off the record info you get - in terms of something becoming clearer next week. The boy flattered to deceive in my opinion - we were never able to play with a rigid 4-4-2 with him as he was a free spirit if you like. This contributed to our lack of cohesion i believe. I personally think McSheffrey still has a part to play - he needs fans' support though. As you don't become a poor player just like that. So who is this potential signing? No names allowed, i know! But will we be pleased if we get him?
I was initally dissapointed that he has gone, i mean i still get shudders about Bruce letting AJ leave, and i think it will take some time for Blues fans to forget that, however, i trust AMC and am sure the reasons given are going to be for the better of the team as a whole... I just hope it dont come back to bite AMC on the you know what!
On another note is there any truth in the rumours that Wigan want Jerome?
Hi Tatts, keep up the good work! Enjoy the blogs. Without divulging confidential info, do you know who has been targetted as a replacement and if so, are you excited about them?
Tatts,
Good blog as usual. I'm not surprised about Quincy, looked good initially but as you say didn't really deliver. Great shame because he could easily have become a fan's favourite.
Now you've got everybody guessing who AM is targeting. Hope this is not going to be another Cahill or Balde situation whereby the fans are promised a signing and in the end nothing happens. Any guarantees this time?
Tatts
This could be one of the nails in McLeishs coffin if it does not work. Some of the substitutions he has made this season beggar belief at times.
McSheffrey is not the answer - it wouldn't surprise me if there is a non football issue underlying that needs to be addressed with him.
As a minimum he needs to acquire some pace and energy in 3 or 4 positions and quickly before the boo boys who were voicing their opinions in the Tilton at the Swansea game spread throughout the ground.
Craig Perkins
Was this part of the 10 point plan? Ger rid of the most creative player you have, as his wages were a bit on the high side? Lets hope Wolves dont snap him up.
I have Ted McMinns mobile number if Big Eck and the board wants to replace Quincy on the cheap?
I preferred Diagnosis Murder anyway
Great. So when were looking at attacking players, were looking at their defensive qualitys first. Can't see the football getting any better in the 2nd half of the season then.
tatts sullivan stated on the sports bar that at least 3/4 players should be in by next week,he did say 1 tomorrow ready for training wednesday but he did say also another one by the end of the week who can play down the other side and agrees we are desperate for a goal scoring midfielder and maybe another striker tatts can you can confirm that eck is looking at striker as sullivan is concerned about the lack of goals.
cheers
I like to think that a long throw should also be in every good wingers locker.
He was too skillful for Blues anyway. And he wasn't a balding 35-year-old...
Maybe they can use the money they are saving on Quincy to install some undersoil heating? It's debacles like that (made to look a joke in front of the Dingles - a new low point) which make the Blues a laughing stock...
Well, I always thought Quincy belonged in the Blue Square Premier league North (rusky version) rather than at st Andrews. I am amazed sometimes how blues fans can take players like Quincy to their hearts when he was at the best good and more usually inconsistant, lazy, and defensibly incompetant. How on earth would these Quincy fans have coped with real tallent like TF, Bob Latchford or Trevor Hockey ? Are these fans so easily pleased ? Phill
Mr T - now that we're on the brink of signing Lee Bowyer a couple of years after we failed first time and now that he's well past his sell-by date, is there any chance we'll renew our attempts to sign Maradona? I seem to remember he's one of the many top-class players the board has linked us with over the years.
Lee Bowyer is a disgrace and a thug as a man. As a footballer he hasn't performed consistently well since his Leeds days...and he is a thug and a disgrace!
Can't believe they are seriously going to sign him. Blues can't play their way out of the division so they resort to signing scum like him? Truly sad and is a sign of desperation...
Although to be fair, Kris Boyd and Scott Sinclair are more than welcome signings. Sinclair seems an exciting prospect and I hope it works out.
Please not Lee Bowyer, he hasn't had a good season since he got off on that racism/assault charge, never mind the fact that he's a nasty little ferret faced git.
I heard that leicester will sign him now.
who are you people to say who we should sign,leave it to our manager.
That's right Laurel - who are these people, who fork out a huge amount of their hard earned money on an under achieving club, to give their opinions (and that's all they are) on who Blues should or shouldn't sign?
I tell you what, perhaps they shouldn't wear Birmingham City replica shirts either - best leave that to the players.
And when Blues score, they shouldn't celebrate - again, that is for the 11 guys out on the pitch to do.
In fact, why do these people go to the games? What good will it do them? Surely the only people who should be watching the team so closely is the coaching staff and the manager.
Laurel, forums and blogs like these are exactly the place for people to give their opinions and thoughts on a team they love. If you don't agree, I'd suggest you just stick to the sports news section and give blogs and fan sites etc a wide berth...
Michael
Laurel is right,you are a discrace,thug and scum.
hey mike
i hear that blues are doing a special vip package deal for the Cardiff match,after match meet the players forum,special guest new signing Mr Bowyer,perhaps you could attend and put your point across and tell him face to face that he is a disgrace as a man,and a thug.
no i think not,wide berth comes to mind,you only talk with your fingers on the keyboard,dont you.
your friend Laurel
hey Loz,
Too right I'll be giving Lee Bowyer a wide berth. The wider the better as I'm not a fan of violence so I'll stay hidden safely behind my keyboard.
His new team mates should be wary of upsetting him more than me though. I hear he pulls no punches even with guys on the same side.
As for the VIP package - you should definitely take advantage of that offer. Then you can go carry the bags of your new hero, open doors for him and perhaps literally kiss his backside instead of doing it on here...
carry his bags,are you stupid hes a thug