Money, money, money
It seems that it's a case of not how much you've got, but what you do with it.
That's Alex McLeish's transfer lot this summer.
He has asked the board why won't they give him £30 million - £40 million, the money garnered from the Premier League television agreement.
They countered with the usual tale of Sunderland (£90 million spent over the last two years, still fighting for their lives) and the dark scenario of a Southampton.
Although it wasn't what McLeish wanted to hear, he understood the viewpoint and has decided to just get on with it.
I don't think we should be too surprised. Going on the past, Blues have never shelled out massive amounts per season.
The last time in the Premier League, Steve Bruce spent about £10 million on a collection of new players, including Garry O'Connor, Oliver Kapo, Franck Queudrue and Liam Ridgewell. Stuart Parnaby, Daniel de Ridder and Richard Kingson were added on frees.
Then, in January, McLeish was given £6.5 million for James McFadden and David Murphy. Also, £5 million was made available for Gary Cahill. So that does take us beyond £20 million, in fairness.
So, by that token, I would estimate that he probably has somewhere between £10 million - £15 million to play with, plus any money raised from sales.
Then there are the so-called 'special cases', a player who might tickle the fancy of all concerned.
This is why McLeish told the audience at the Banks's/BRMB Football Forum in Sheldon the other night that, no, he didn't have the wherewithal to splash out £8 million or £9 million on one player, David Wheater was the example in question.
Hence also the move to bring in Bobo Balde for pre-season training with a view to a free transfer. It makes sense considering the circumstances.
Balde, McLeish suspects, still has sufficient mobility and strength. Whether he's rusty, or his hunger has been diluted, he should find out for definite in July.
Balde is not McLeish's prime target for centre-half.
Standard Liege stopper Oguchi Onyewu is someone he has at the top of that list.
McLeish said at the Forum - which can be heard on Friday at 7pm on 1152am Gold - that he wants speed and mobility in the position, as well as know-how.
In essence, this is what he has in mind for his team: "We need players who can take the football, more quality" he said.
"I don't mind a couple of big gorillas at centre-half because that spine is so vital for us.
"So, with another quality midfielder, two, strong and mobile centre-halves, then I think we are getting there.
"If I can find that ultimate striker and the two Davids fancy it, then it's all systems go."
As we know, McLeish wants at least 10 new players through the door come the Premier League kick-off. He was talking in general terms above.
Ideally, he wants to make the squad more athletic and younger as well.
You could be forgiven for thinking that, after an interview that surfaced today, to primarily address the climax to the SPL season, he wants half the Rangers team.
Naturally, he gets asked by journalists north of the border about Kris Boyd, Madjid Bougherra, Barry Ferguson and so on. And Eck replies honestly. However, so often in these instances people still put two and two together and come up with five.
I can't see any of that trio heading to St Andrew's this summer as it stands now. McLeish has other players in mind and judging from the flurry of activity at Wast Hills during the past couple of weeks - it's been like an agents' convention - Blues seem quite a way down the road with a couple of transfers.
Footnote: Standard Liege drew 1-1 at Anderlecht on Thursday night, Oguchi Onyewu playing 90 minutes in front of the watching Alex McLeish.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
Got to say Sullivan makes me laugh, the last time we were in the Premiership and got relegated he slagged off Bruce for buying quantity instead of quality, and what do we look like doing again, exactly the same !?! I tell you what Sullivan if you want quality then stick your hand in your pocket and give McCleish something to work with. You say we need 10 new players to compete yet you're supposedly only making £10-15M available, can you please explain to me how were going buy 'quality' with that type of budget ?? We're going to end up doing exactly the same as last time and have to make the budget stretch to get a decent squad number, which will mean quantity over quality yet again !?!
I really hope AmC stays away from scotland. When rangers and celtic players are playing week in, week out against east fife, st. mirren, cowdenbeath... or worse still, the old firm reserves cause they are not good enough for the first team.. No thank you. Let us spend what little cash sully is allowing wisely. Kris Boyd ? dosn't wanna play for scotland, Walter smith is not keen on him, STAY AWAY !
Thongsy is of course the best.
Also, can people please learn to spell?
It's McLeish, not McCleish. He's only been our manager for a year and a half, plenty of time to get it right.
Same old, same old then. And they wonder why there's apathy among the supporters....
Sorry about spelling. It does make me wonder about the commitment of certain players mentioned though. Drunk, rude gestures disgracing their country, not wanting to play, arguements ? Would not have thought we wanted that here at the club we love. I believe that players must want to play for the Blues, not because of a wage packet but out of pride. Maybe I am just old fashioned.
Tatts, i feel left-back needs addressing as we've made a big step up in terms of opposition quality now. Queudrue & Murphy aren't up to it in my opinion.
The board need to be very very careful. It's 12 months since they were almost set upon by supporters after the Blackburn which came about as a bit of a shock to them. Then they wondered why so few were turning up in a promotion campaign. Then at the turn of the year finally it seemed the penny had dropped with announcement of a "10 point pledge" to make things better and listen to supporters. Never again & lessons learnt I recall being David Gold mentioning. So roll on to May we've got promotion and here is a big, big opportunity to REALLY make amends and REALLY convince us supporters the board MEAN business. I'm sorry but if the boat isn't pushed out in terms of signings then we're going to be back to square one and facing yet another relegation, and further contempt for the board. If Bolton & Wigan can attract decent players over a number of years why can't we? We did at one time. Only way were going to go back to those days is by hard negotiation and convinction over the summer as well as taking the odd punt. When we previously attracted the likes of Dugarry it was like a magnet, it showed we meant business and we were able to capture the likes of Heskey, Dunn, Melchiot, Pennant. Yes I can imagine they were on big wages, but we've done it before without bankrupting the club so why can't we build up like that again? We need strive to do something similar, go for one big special signing, then other decent players will follow. I just hope in years time Sullivan & Gold aren't regretting not doing enough during summer 2009 and wondering why even more supporters are staying away.