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This time of year various publications and media outlets give us the low down on team prospects.
Problem is when a yo-yoing unfashionable side like Blues go up, they're never really sure.
For example, one Sunday newspaper's likely Blues line-up had Lee Bowyer on the left wing.
Another daily last week told us that Christian Benitez was still not yet in the country.
One preview described Benitez as a ã9 million signing, and reckoned the capture of Lee Bowyer was 'perplexing', presumably going on past reputation rather than what he did for Blues last season and the budget Alex McLeish has to work to.
They will doubtless develop the theme of the 'rift' between the manager and board, because the potential for juicy headlines in the future.
The national newspapers, having spent a season ignoring them and not turning up for pre-match press conferences, have rediscovered Blues. Well, of a fashion.
They have ordered the club to host a nationals only gathering before every game so they can ask McLeish questions about the opposition.
For example, this week he will be quizzed about whether he's spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson, how does he think Michael Owen will get on, will Manchester United win the league etc etc.
There might be the odd question relevant to Blues; moreover his future and his relationship with the board when a two games are lost back-to-back and it's crisis time.
Last week when McLeish held an informal pre-match press conference ahead of Sporting Gijon, a fellow hack asked me why was Liam Ridgewell no longer in the team.
Despite the extra attention, you won't particularly notice it in the amount of column inches devoted to Blues in the newspapers.
Sure, the MD will get her paid-for diary piece every Saturday in a red top, and David Sullivan will be targeted for the odd sensational blast at whoever and whatever. David Gold is also good for a quote, give him a ring, that's another mantra.
But by and large Blues are in the Premier League to make up the numbers. They are not among the big four plus Manchester City and sports editors in London see the club as pretty irrelevant and the Midlands as a backwater.
You may also have noticed that most of our stories are picked up and rehashed by the nationals and various internet sites passing them off as their own.
Rest assured, the Birmingham Mail - and local newspapers and local multi media in general - will continue to cover your club in unrivaled depth, and with a passion.
On-line at www.birminghammail.net we will bring you our Blues View every Monday after the weekend action, plus feature interviews and comment throughout the season.
And in Wednesday's Birmingham Mail we have a 12-page Blues pull-out previewing the new season, which is not to be missed.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
Tatts, do you think McLeish thinks that Utd will win the league again? how many goals does he think Owen will score this season?
Colin, Thankfully we do have you to rely on if we want the truth about what is going on at Blues, most Blues fans think you do a great job. It makes such a difference to have Bluesnose reporting on the team. I think we have all got use to the sort of press coverage we get from the nationals, I for one don't care anymore. Let's just hope we can surprise a few people this season, my only worry is where are the goals going to come from.
Never mind the nationals rehashing your stories, you've still yet to admit you copy your match reports from Ron's.
Do think that Benitez can inspire Liverpool to win the league?
Thongs, I will ask him. Number8 (thankfully not Number1)no comment. Pete. Hmmm, very good...
we ought to have a press relations guy like gordon browny has. I know, Carl Chinn could do the job, better still, why not make him managing director ?
I have to admit I'm a bit perplexed by the Bowyer signing too, I think his contribution last season has been significantly overplayed.
What about this Carson Yeung story? I hope it's not true, sounds like he wants to do what they've done at Liverpool and Man Utd, buy the club with borrowed money and then use us to pay off the interest on the loan while they rake in the profits in dividends. No investment in the team and then they'll try and flog us on again in a few years for more than the loan. As annoying as the current board are at times they're better than that.
p.s. what are they doing about the Olympics now Villa have pulled out?
so was it the 10 point pledge or the 10 point sell on scheme? improve the ground and facilities. invest in the team and we'll buy the club? was that the message from grandtop?
so now the 10 point pledge is revealed ! point 10 - sell club after making neccessary improvements. lets face it, the improvements weren't for the fans!
Bowyer has done well and he helped to get us promoted. Pity he was not younger but we ought to have bought him when Bruce wanted him. It was just the "do gooders" who probably dont go down the match that put the spanner in the works.
Bowyer has done well and he helped to get us promoted. Pity he was not younger but we ought to have bought him when Bruce wanted him. It was just the "do gooders" who probably dont go down the match that put the spanner in the works.
ECHO
ECHO
Good to see you exposing the egos for what they are.
Let's see how accomodating McLeish is after they've stuck the knife into him a few times.
Some of those journos seem to think they are more important than the people they're interviewing. And let's be honest how many Blues fans are going to actually buy the Daily Diana, sorry, I meant the Daily Express to read four paragraphs, all of which will be McLeish talking about SAF.
Have yourself an Easter Egg tats.