What a load of rubbish
The transfer window three summers back when Blues were preparing for the Premier League, Steve Bruce was slated for apparently signing a 'pile of rubbish'.
That was David Sullivan's view of the business three years ago and his comments, at the end of the season when Blues had been relegated, caused the sort of firestorm we had been accustomed too.
Asked for an example, Sullivan named Franck Queudrue and poor old Richard Kingson was described as a 'complete waste of space'.
Bruce will tell you that he cut his cloth accordingly and some players who remain at the club - Liam Ridgewell, Stuart Parnaby, Garry O'Connor - were far from happy back then, either.
It was harsh to call that influx of summer 2007 players such, and Sullivan did apologise; his beef was more with Bruce and the rancour surrounding his departure mid-season.
So with Sullivan now being assisted by Avram Grant at West Ham United, and Alex McLeish plotting the way ahead at St Andrew's with Carson Yeung, are we looking at another garbage heap?
Unlikely.
I bumped into one distinguished former Blues player of the Premier League years the other day and he reckoned that Ben Foster's addition would be among the signings of the summer, anywhere.
"Better than Joe Hart's" he nodded in approval.
The transfer of Nikola Zigic, the Peter Crouch of the Adriatic, has received enough ticks as well to suggest it won't be, as the American's says, a bust.
Zigic, all 6ft 8in of him, is pictured here with Blues PR executive Claire Boden, all 5ft 5in of her, at his signing.
Enric Valles is a completely unknown quantity and one for the numbers, rather than the first team - unless he proves otherwise.
Yeung has committed ã12 million in fees already and should Blues garner another player for around ã5 million - again, highly likely - then they will have spent more (net) in the last three summer windows put together.
Financial muscle is all well and good - and I have still heard nothing to the contrary in regard to Yeung's determination to bankroll the summer spending, from people who would know - but it's what you do with it.
So far, McLeish's moves have made sense. And that's the encouraging thing. There is a logic concerning the players he has bought, and the players he is trying to buy.
There is a decent bedrock to the Blues side. Defensively, with Foster now for Hart, it retains a solid, hungry look.
Craig Gardner and Michel should, in theory, become better now their feet have been under the table a while.
And elsewhere in the midfield, there is no reason why Barry Ferguson can't carry on in his statesmanlike style for another season yet.
It's on the edges - wide - where McLeish has been looking for change.
Charles N'Zogbia would certainly add dynamism, unpredictability and pacey thrust. Blues are still on the case there.
Blues have also been scouring Europe for other, similar players. I've heard a suggestion that Hamburg's Jonathan Pitroipa has been watched.
Up front, the decision to jettison Christian Benitez caused a fair old stir.
But McLeish has the courage of his convictions and in Fabrizio Miccoli, Blues could substitute one fans favourite for another - with the added bonus of goals.
Miccoli, I am told, has given out the signals to Blues to go get him. He would love a crack at the Premier League.
Swift, technically adroit and with no little fire in the belly, he could be a Benitez meets Kevin Phillips kind of striker.
It was Bruce who also used to say that you can't have enough strikers and he's right.
How Blues got away with Cameron Jerome and Christian Benitez being the regular pair for most of this season, with Phillips doing his cameos and James McFadden the odd turn up front, was remarkable.
And that was with a midfield that was always narrow and never had real width or pace. Just 38 goals tells you the story, and shows how well drilled, disciplined, organised and protective Blues were.
So keep that aspect of their style - which McLeish insists upon - loosen it a bit in the final third and, therefore, Blues should be all the better for it.
Should Phillips, O'Connor and Parnaby accept new contracts, then they add depth and options to the squad too.
So far, there is a method to the McLeish mindset. There is no scatter gun approach this summer, there is an obvious rationale. Don't summon the binmen just yet.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
So is Jonathan Pitroipa a realistic target or are you grabbing names from FM10?
Thanks for the update Tatts.
Interesting to see that the NâÂÂZogbia deal is not completely dead and maybe the interest in other players is an attempt to smoke Wigan out at bit.
Miccoli looks a real threat up front and let hope a deal can be done sooner rather than later.
Jonathan Pitroipa looks good. He is 24 years old and has pace to burn. Just the sort of player we need.
Big Eck is certainly not letting the grass grow under his feet!
No idea about this Miccoli, could be good but I don't remember too many mid-level Italian strikers taking the league by storm. I can vaguely remember a few, Grabbi, Corradi, Silenzi who were absolutely useless. Sounds a risky bet to me, hopefully McLeish knows what he's doing!
Miccoli has a much better pedigree than those other strikers you have listed Matt. In Italy lots wanted him in their World Cup squad. I like what Eck is up to. N'Zog would be a great addition as well and we are playing a canny game with Wigan
Pedigree hey? How about these Johnny Zulu, Bojinov, Aquilani and what was him name, oh yeah SHEVCHENKO. Their pedigree is far more than this Miccoli!!!!! The other that Matt names were 'great' prospects as well.
Another thing is how can a respective journolist use such a throw away remark as
'Blues could substitute one fans favourite for another - with the added bonus of goals.'
Chuchos record before he joined was a goal every other game and look what happened to him. What are you basing this on Mr Tattum because if it is Miccoli goal record then it isnt as impressive as Chucho's.
Another thing is why is he only being touted now as a 30 year old? if he is brilliant why havent the big boys gone in for him sooner?
Saying all of this, i would like to see him at STANS because 4 mill is nothing in todays market.
Re Agree Matt. Some people eh? Bee in the bonnet pal? Benitez can't score goals. Simples. He misses sitters. His record in rubbish leagues in Mexico means nothing Miccoli has scored in Serie A, Champions Lge. Not sure if Tattum is saying he is brilliant actually is he? For ã4m it seems a good signing if it happens and I would guess Tattum has done his due diligence, as Eck would say! on the player and has heard good things. Fact is he's available now and wasn't before I would guess
Benitez cant score goals? WE KNOW THAT NOW WE HAD HIM FOR A SEASON. Well done for predicting that one!!! I am saying based on form and stats Chucho was better than this guy so what is to say he will do it? The fact is we dont, you dont and tatts doesnt and Eck doesnt. Like i said tho, for 4 mill, why not? oh and Chucho WILL score more goals than he did for us and i hope he gets the chance to do it at another Prem club, as for scoring in Serie A, Champons league, like i said SHEVCHENCKO.
The fact is if you are going to have a debate, you need to look at other peoples arguments and not just be short sighted which i think you are? no i do not have a bee in my bonnet, i have just given you 3 names who in recent history have had esteemed pedigrees (your words not mine) and came from Serie A and done NOTHING in the Prem. What do you say to that? or can you not debate?
Based on form and stats Benitez was/is better? Odd argument.Very odd. Benitez will not score goals wherever he plays in the future. That's my opinion. You have yours.
Although I'm a born & bred Brummie, all of my family originate from Sicily where Signore Miccoli currently plays for Palermo. They've just recently finished 5th in Serie A, above teams like Juventus, Napoli, Lazio, Parma and Fiorentina.
He played a major part in Palermo's success, 19 goals, 3rd highest in Serie A. He's better than the other Italians mentioned by a previous contributor as his goalscoring record has been excellent in the past 5 years. Although you never know how thing's will pan out, he's previously played for a foreign club (Benfica for 2 seasons). 4 million could be a bargain, he like's to get stuck in which Blues fans can relate to, and should definitely be at the world cup with the Azzurri. Like many local Italians I'd love to see him be a success at Blues.
How is it odd? You say Benitez cant score goals misses sitters etc but his record was better than Miccoli's so what's to say he wont be the same? and then to counter your argument that the league is better then how about Shevchencko?
You still cannot have the debate can you?
Why Matt/Agree Matt have you gone on in my name? Weird. Check the post from our Italian friend. He talks sense. Benitez's goal record in Mexico or Ecuador in no way stands comparison with Miccoli's at the highest league level. Benitez at ã8m and Miccoli, proven, at ã4m. I know which one I would rather have at Blues and Eck's judgement isn't clouded either thank goodness
You still havent answered the bit about Shevchencko. Listen my friend, your opinion is yours, Arturo's is his and mine is mine, like i said i wouldnt mind a punt on him at 4 mill but Tatts has said he will be Chuco and goals and so have you but Chuchos record was better than this guys is so why could Chucho not score?
I think he will not score more than 5 goals if he came to Birmingham City.
by the way, Chucho was ã5million NOT 8 and yes i would have taken him for that because i think he would score double the amount this season but unless someone snaps him up we will never know.
There is a major difference between the Mexican league and Serie A! As said on the forums, Serie A is a difficult league for strikers so when you take all into account Miccoli has done very well indeed.
McLeish does his due diligence on players and doesn't commit unless he knows exactly what he's getting. I rate Miccoli and would be delighted with this signing.
p.s How long will we talk of Benitez after every striker we sign?
Chucho would have scored double the goals? Okay then.
It doesn't matter whether the guy was here for 1 season or 10, he is not and never will be a goalscorer. He did a decent job for us, but we've moved on. Stop dwelling on the past.
I'm not sure where ã5M has come from but it was more than that.
The reports coming out of Mexico were that the deal was for 5 million English pounds. 8 million US DOLLARS.
Yes he did do a decent job and if this guy signs then hopefully he will.
You again ignore the list and list of names who have FAILED to do what they did in Serie A in the Prem so what makes you think he will be different? You tube : )
Benitez price here. Get over yourself mate. Your argument is bizarre and flawed. Miccoli far better player and Benitez hype doesn't match with what he actually produces, which is little other than three PL goals from three yards or whatever
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2010/05/14/birmingham-city-reasons-for-blues-not-signing-christian-benitez-explained-97319-26442822/
I really don't understand why you are being so argumentative Agree Matt.
I liked the look of Benitez, but ultimately he didn't quite make the grade, I would have happily kept him although at the price it was rather expensive and difficult to justify. His record in Mexico was NOT very good at all. As a ratio it is superb, but not prolific for the Mexican league! Compare: Benitez: 60 in 141 (1:2.35)(before he came) Miccoli: 135 in 391. (1:2.9) I suggest that you type Miccoli into Youtube and see what you get! I appreciate that Benitez would appear to have a favourable strike rate, but Miccoli has CONSISTENTLY scored goals in a far SUPERIOR league. The thought that we could sign such a player is extremely exciting. Matt, aren't you excited by the prospect of such a player!? I am puzzled...
Yawn. Handbags eh? Makes me laugh. You know when people are on a losing battle in a debate because they resort to petty insults anonymously on a comments section - in this case using other users name *cough trueblue.
Come back when you can engage in a discussion like a man.
I agree with Matt here. Even not comparing him to Chucho i do not see one person say why he will be good. Look on Youtube??? He has scored in Serie A, whoopeedoo. As somebody else said Shevchenko scored all day long in Serie A but didnt in the Prem and to my knowledge no player from Serie A has come and scored bucket loads of goals.
Dirtdevil and Steve, i do not see argumentative or abuse, i see somebody putting across an opinion but because you do not agree with it you make petty insults, and as for that link about the price, do you really think Sully and Gold would have negotiated a price of 8 million pounds for one player? i think you have fallen for the spin to ease the pain. If you were told it was 5 mill then your opinion would change wouldnt it??
I dont get all the nonsense points on here? Firstly you can in no way compare the italian league to the mexican one. Secondly people then make the point of looking at Shevchenco, well he was brought in to Chelsea a club that is under the magnifying glass week in week out all over the world. He buckled under the pressure to perform at a top club and he never actually got a decent run in the Chelsea team. I think its important that every case is looked at on its own merit. Benitez had never played for a top club only in Mexico he came to this league and did ok, he was very hit and miss with a poor attitude and never worth his asking price. Theres no harm in having a punt on Micolli he may turn out the same as Benitez but if he has any desire he will be better! KRO !!
Nobody can ever say that a player will DEFINITELY be good. Even players that are proven in the Premier League have moved clubs and not quite done the business. I am merely suggesting that he is an exciting prospect and has the technical qualities as a footballer given his record and the goals I have seen him score (yes on Youtube!)
What I fail to understand is the constant negativity from some people. I ask again how could anyone not be excited at the prospect of signing a player like Miccoli for around ã4M?! And I will not accept his age as a reason given the price...
Shevchenko came to England being touted as one of the finest strikers the world had ever seen, the price tag and the wages reflected this but when he played, he couldnt hack it. Simple. Motivation, desire, formation. whatever, he didnt score anywhere near the goals he did in russia and italy and do you know why? because the pace of italian football in nowhere near that of english football.
Now if he is a Di Canio/Zola type player then he could fit in nicely but he is getting on, has had a severe injury a month ago and been to loads of clubs, none of them top clubs by the way, and is after a move apparently in the press, started by his agent desires to get him more money?
All of this makes me think he is a risk but if the price is right then Yes, and hopefully he will do the business. For people to disregard Shevchenko and the likes is beyond me, he and plenty of others have tried and failed.
Tom Hatton is spot on. Benitez would have cost ã8m plus loan fee and staying up fee, so about ã10m. Eck did the right thing. Shevchenko was not bothered, didn't fit in at Chelsea and his legs had gone. He was world class at Milan. You can't compare Miccoli to him but you can see why he would be good for us, in our team at our level. 19 goals in Serie A, Benitez would take 45 years to score half of that if anyone was mad enough to sign him in Italy
can we change the subject please ?
what do we think about giving o"connor another contract?
Can't be bothered to repeat myself Re:Miccoli and Sheva.
I think it's a good idea to offer Shagger a new contract providing it's on a reduced wage, perhaps a pay as you play deal? Though he'll be far from first choice so I can't see that working.
Good squad player, Carling Cup early rounds etc, but I'll be worried if he's anywhere near the first team.
WHY DO YOU REPEAT YOURSELF ABOUT MICCOLO AND SHEVA, YOU SAY WHAT YOU SAY AND OTHER PEOPLE SAY WHAT THEY SAY, YOU ARE NOT CORRECT, IT IS YOUR OPINION