June 2009 Archives

Down to Wast Hills today for a media gathering, Alex McLeish providing the up-dates.

Eck came back off his holiday at the end of last week and says he cannot wait to get onto the training pitches again.

He's delighted with the transfers completed so far - 'I think there's been some good business done' - and says there's more to come.

From what we could tell, he still had his own office; it hadn't been annexed by the board so they could bring in 'their' players as they see fit . . .

On that subject, McLeish continually made references to the support he has had from the directors, and he spoke as if he was happy to have Giovanny Espinoza.

Revelations that he hadn't been able to see either Espinoza or Christian Benitez 'in the flesh' raised an eyebrow or two. Then again, it's not that uncommon
nowadays, especially when time is of the essence and you have to nip in quick.

On the other side of the coin, the hunt for new defenders has been long and detailed. McLeish feels he has chosen correctly in Scott Dann and Roger Johnson.

He admits Blues have 'hedged their bets' during the past 18 months.

Midfield is the next area to concentrate on. Maybe two more are needed, as he believes Blues remain 'light' in that area.

One of those midfielders is Lee Bowyer. He has penned a contract, it's just a case of signing-off the fine details.

Gareth Bale's name was thrown into the mix. If he was available, I'd be interested, came the reply. Moreover, keep an eye on Armand Traore in the next few weeks.

While waiting for the audience with Eck, one or two familiar faces popped up around the corridors of the training HQ, even though Blues don't report back until July 8.

Rumours that Mathieu Flamini was in the building could not be substantiated, however.

Gary McSheffrey was there continuing to build up his fitness after the knee problem that wiped out his effectiveness last season.

And, peering out of a window, none other that Franck Queudrue could be spied coming down the steps from pitch level to the dressing rooms following a work out.

Spotting me, he said: 'See, I have made sure I am here a week early this year!'.

Is it me or is there a lot of head-nodding going on in relation to Blues recent actions, and a quiet feeling of optimism?

Six players have been signed, a deal for Lee Bowyer agreed, and there's promise of more to come by the board.

And there was the dabble for Patrick Vieira too.

When Blues announced their '10 point-pledge' the cynical among us had a field day. Yeah, right, heard it all before was the take.

But maybe it's not so wrong after all to at least give Blues the benefit of the doubt thus far.

St Andrew's is never going to be as palatial as most stadiums around the country yet Blues have been addressing certain aspects: the pitch and track surround, big
screen/scoreboard.

It would be nice to think they would just knock down the Main Stand and have done with it, but there you go.

Season ticket prices are inviting, especially when you see what's materialised in the restructuring of the squad, although sales remain under 10,000.

Blues have gone in early and done business. They have been decisive and don't seem to be heading for that late transfer window panic in the last week of August, which marked the last two Premier League preparations.

David Gold rang me this afternoon just for a general chat, during which he confirmed that the Vieira attempt was a long shot, with the tag that if you don't try you will
never know.

The chairman was interested to guage the reaction to the new players and he said he was enthused about the months ahead.

He won't take anything for granted, however, with those memories post-Blackburn Rovers popping up in his memory from time to time.

He said Blues still had plenty to do.

Gold yesterday issued a statement to the club website patting people on the back, not least his fellow key director David Sullivan.

And Sullivan, often considered the Big Bad Wolf of Theydon Bois, also seems reinvigorated. In our conversations, he has talked like a fan about players Blues
have got and the type they are still trying to get, and not banged on about money. Well, not too much anyway.

In fact, Sullivan and the Golds have both loaned Blues their own cash to help fund ground improvements and player purchases.

An announcement to the Stock Exchange on June 9 showed that Sullivan put in £1 million, matched by David Gold.

Then, today, it was revealed to the City that Sullivan has loaned another £1.5 million, David Gold £750,000 and Ralph Gold £750,000.

The loans are all payable by September 1, with an interest of 0.5 per cent per month. So they are going to get something back for their trouble.

Basically, the money was pumped in to tide Blues over until the Sky television windfall lands in the bank account in August. They didn't want to miss out on Christian Benitez, Scott Dann and Roger Johnson.

Without doubt, there does seem a fresh approach, a more engaged and harmonious attitude, which has been been picked up by people.

Maybe it was the ordeal of the Championship last season, maybe lessons of past Premier League relegations have been taken on board, maybe it's starting a top-flight season with a new manager.

This week, Sullivan made this remark: "It will probably be a tough season, but I hope everybody has some fun and enjoys themselves - that's the key for me."

Developments re the 'mystery £90k-a-week man'.

He will be named tomorrow in the Birmingham Mail, and the background to Blues pursuit explained.

Then at least the guessing game can stop!

But have Blues pulled off a coup and got their target?

All will be revealed . . .

It's not very often we get all in a lather about centre-halves, is it?

Well they've created plenty of debate since well before the season's triumphant end, and will continue to do so for some while yet.

The changing of the guard is happening at St Andrew's.

Scott Dann has come in, it is increasingly likely that Roger Johnson does, while Geovanny Espinoza was undergoing his medical in Birmingham today.

Then we have Joe Hart, a new goalkeeper, and the likelihood of a left-back on loan from the Premier League or abroad.

Having the right combination at the heart of defence is absolutely vital.

Think back to when Blues first came into the Premier League in 2002.

Kenny Cunningham was an inspired signing. He had the know-how, he could read a game and organise. Then Matthew Upson arrived. Pace, power, purpose, hunger.

Those two under-pinned Blues in the first three seasons.

Darren Purse, Michael Johnson, Steve Vickers, Olivier Tebily and Joey Hutchinson were all around St Andrew's at that time seven years ago.

But it was all about getting the right pair to gel, and that was Cunningham and Upson without question.

Dann, 22, and Johnson, 26 have no Premier League experience; Espinoza (32) has been round the block but not over here. Martin Taylor, at 29, is the grand old man of Blues central defenders.

Liam Ridgewell (24) walked the Championship and will get better as the years tick by. It's a shame for him and Blues that he suffered ill fortune and broke his leg.

Alex McLeish has to hope that his defence learns fast, clicks and hold firm.

It won't be for a lack of desire as both Dann and Johnson are itching to make their mark at the highest level. Espinoza will be eager to please.

The way the rest of the team is set up and does their duty in Blues own territory is critical too of course.

It might be too much to ask for another Cunningham-Upson straight away. But the alternative to change was to do nothing - and that just was not an option.

On the subject of getting into a lather, as for the 'mystery 90k-a-week man', there's nothing really new to report. It remains a long shot.

From what I gather Blues have recently tried to change his mind about entertaining them, but he is not a priority target and was not budgeted for.

It would be a bit like an extra topping on the cake, a pleasant surprise, if it came off. And a 'special case', a bit like Christian Benitez, transfer kitty wise.

Five, now six, weeks ago, as I've written elsewhere, Blues became aware that he might be available and contact was made through his representatives.

The board and McLeish have been working assiduously on other targets since, primarily those to remodel the centre of defence.

Last time Blues won at Manchester United anyone?

Last time they scored a goal moreover.

In eight visits they've lost the lot and not scored. Before that there was a draw, which followed another two losses that drew a blank.

So some way to start the new campaign, at the home of the Champions!

To discuss the fixture list for 2009-10, which were released today, join the Birmingham Mail writers from 1pm for a special live web chat on www.birminghammail.net.

Oh, and it was in 1978, when goals by Kevin Dillon and Trevor Francis gave Blues a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Scott Dann is the first but won't be the last defender to join Blues this summer.

Alex McLeish has been trying to bolster the centre-half position ever since he took over at Blues.

Gary Cahill got away, which left Eck and Blues cold. It was genuinely felt he was in the bag until a late chance of mind saw him leave Villa for Bolton Wanderers.

There have been a couple of attempts to take Sami Hyypia, who ended up signing a whopping contract at Bayer Leverkusen after exiting Liverpool on a free.

Then there were the cases of Calum Davenport and Matt Mills. And there have been plenty of others looked at and either dismissed or considered out of reach.

There's no messing about by Blues now.

Blues saw off Wolves for Dann, the Sky Blues captain.

Geovanny Espinoza is also on his way to St Andrew's. And don't rule out Roger Johnson arriving either. I suspect it's either him or Oguchi Onyewu.

At left-back, Blues have David Murphy on the injured list and Franck Queudrue. But expect to see another specialist for that position join, and talks are continuing with Djimi Traore, who can provide cover at full-back or in the centre.

Dann's signing, for an initial £3.5 million, is an interesting one.

His rise from Walsall junior to Premier League has been swift and if you counsel opinion of people in the game about him, you get conflicting views.

Highly promising, the potential to improve, a sound investment. On the other hand, I've heard from those who don't think he will cut it at the highest level.

Never mind whether he's worth the fee or not. Same applies with Johnson. Nowadays it's impossible to get a Matthew Upson for £750,000.

Dann's price is the going rate and although McLeish would love to be able to spend £10 million each on a proven Premier League pairing, he can't.

McLeish said just after the season ended he might have to bring in an emerging player or two and work with them; that's what he's done with Dann and, to an extent,
could do with Johnson as well, another who has yet to make the jump from Championship to Premier League.

What Blues like about Dann is that he has the basic attributes to do a sound job and get better. Also, his on-pitch attitude is that of a leader, a strong Liam Daish type.

He is quiet and unassuming off it, but once across the white line he's vocal and wants to dominate his domain.

A few people who have watched him regular told me that he is a good header of the ball, has very good feet and can pick out a pass. Dann, although 6ft 2in tall, is not a clogging type of centre-half.

He is a threat at set-pieces - as Blues found out when he plundered the only goal of the game at the Ricoh Arena in February - and check out this goal for Walsall against
Rochdale, which suggests he's not lumbering on the deck.

Dann had a hard time of it against Chelsea and Didier Drogba when Coventry were knocked out of the FA Cup in the quarter-finals. He was muscled off the ball for the first goal.

And like any player new in the Premier League, he is going to have to learn fast.

Whilst he can get stuck in and mix it, despite what happened when Drogba mugged him, his sharpness and reading of the game is more of an asset. He's not lightning quick, but neither he is a slouch.

The England under-21 international is sure to show rough edges in the sort of company he will be battling against next season.

But you would think that someone with McLeish's pedigree in the position should be able to nurture a promising centre-half, and Dann's determination to succeed given the opportunity presented to him should count for something too.