Chinese whispers

The sheer enthusiasm and almost schoolboy excitement from Blues new owners was clear to see at St Andrew's.

The first home game of the Chinese reign brought the right result and performance.

And it provided a first hand glimpse to many supporters of just how passionate Carson Yeung and his cohorts are about football.

Yeung was like a jack in the (directors') box, cheering, shouting, agonising, pointing.

Vico Hui's joy at giving the owners' address was obvious too and his walkabout sometimes lurched towards the demonic.

It was heartening. They didn't watch stony-faced, like hard-nosed businessmen wondering about the pounds, shilling and pence.

There was no trying to be 'one of the lads' like a Mike Ashley in replica shirt downing a pint.

I'm pretty certain that if crossed or unhappy, Yeung and his group will show their ruthless side.

And let's not pretend that they don't envisage viable business opportunities in Asia off the back of buying Blues.

But at present, they are at the beginning of a new adventure and are not so much empowered by it, or nourishing ego, just simply having fun.

Paradoxically, where this kind of fervour could cause a problem is the succession of footballing 'trophy friends'.

Steve McManaman, Christian Karembeu, Fan Zhiyi and now Gerard Houllier are all - if you don't believe the truth - advising, ready to manage and/or coach.

McManaman, an intelligent guy and a decent bloke by all accounts, looked quite uneasy alongside Yeung when Sunderland visited.

He's a friend and a director of Grandtop International Holdings, but he's not a King maker, or a job seeker. That's what he told Alex McLeish when they met.

In fairness to Blues, Sammy Yu has outlined exactly what roles they are, or aren't, playing in the new regime.

However, the constant round of stories and speculation about them doesn't help the current management, nor does it reflect well on Yeung and his associates.

It may well be hyped-up tittle-tattle, rumours that appear to make sense but are without solid foundation.

McLeish needs to be allowed to get on and manage without distraction and without having to look over shoulder. Anything that undermines his authority weakens his effectiveness and so harms the team and so harms the club.

There is no suggestion we are moving into Flavio Briatore territory here. Yeung has gone on the record saying he has no plans to replace McLeish.

And so far Yu, who is based at Wast Hills and is Yeung's football liason, has established a rapport and understanding with McLeish.

He's got a tracksuit and puts his boots on to go up to the training pitches, but he's not yet got the clipboard out and staged an impromptu coaching seminar, or popped up in the technical area on match day.

Had Yeung parachuted in a director of football, then I'd be more concerned. In this country, that position hardly ever works.

After an £81.5 million takeover Yeung can, of course, speak and mix with anyone he likes. Clearly, he enjoys the company and patronage of famous ex-players and is bound to respect what they say.

Just as long as he doesn't get carried away and adopts a Championship Manager mentality, and just as long as lines of demarcation are clear for everybody, then there shouldn't be big trouble in little China.