Often Partisan

SMW and Pannu

Soccer Management Worldwide are reported to still be keen on a deal to buy Birmingham City despite the departure of Jeremy Wray from the board of the company. The Birmingham Mail have reported that Wray has stepped down from the board for “personal reasons” but remains very much a part of the group.

The whole takeover thing has been a bit of a busted flush of late. I saw comments on one messageboard that the deal was to be done on Tuesday but that obviously has not come to fruition; from what I have heard SMW are anxious to do the deal but for one reason or another have not been able to complete it – chief amongst their problems being HKSE not giving BIH details as to how they can sell the company. I agree with comments that it’s all been a bit soap opera-ish and I can easily understand why there are so many people sick to death of it.

The other thing that was reported at the start of the week that hasn’t come to fruition (yet) is the departure of Peter Pannu. Bryan Swanson, the Chief News Reporter for Sky Sports tweeted that Pannu was to depart from BCFC to concentrate on matters in Hong Kong but nothing has been announced by the club as of yet. I emailed Peter Pannu on Tuesday to clarify the situation but I’ve not received a response. I’ve had confirmation that his management contract at the club elapses at the end of the month – whether that will be renewed or not remains to be seen but Pannu has stated in the past that if he is not paid what he feels he is worth he will leave.

One thing that I thought was interesting was that the news came from Bryan Swanson – not someone who is known for reporting about Blues. It’s curious that the information came from Swanson when it seemed that no one at the club or in Hong Kong knew what was happening – it does lead me to wonder who passed it on to him and what their intentions were in doing so.

As I am heading back to Hong Kong in the next few weeks for the launch of my book, I thought it might be an idea to broadcast a live webinar. This would be a fully interactive, audio-visual presentation where you could listen to me talk with Will, my co-author out in HK about what is happening with respect to BIH, the takeover, Carson and Pannu. I’m gauging interest for this – you may have seen the poll on the site – and I’d appreciate feedback on it. If enough people seem interested I’d aim to run it on September 30 for about an hour, hour and a half around lunch time UK time.

Talking Points sponsored by John Hicken Industrial roofing and cladding materials

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105 Responses to “SMW and Pannu”

  • Puddleglum says:

    I would be interested but can’t be online at that time. Would the session be available later for people to look at?

  • Dave Clamp says:

    deffo interested in that mate

  • fingles says:

    Yes, interested.

  • dave mann says:

    yeah , bring it on should be good crack…..talking of cracks theres been plenty of them since these talks started…..absolute joke if it werent so serious. KRO.

  • StevieW says:

    Dan would be V interested in video view.

  • Mark Gibbs says:

    I would definitely be interested

  • tmsblues says:

    I am interested and may be able to catch up whilst I am away too.

  • mark says:

    Daniel always enjoy what you got to say, i could never get bored so yes bring on buddy

  • Chris W says:

    Definitely be interested if I’m available.
    Thanks for your insight into events, or rather non-events as they didn’t happen, more smoke and mirrors.
    I would have thought that HKSE would want their end to be sorted rather quickly so that all parties can move on, makes you wonder what the delays are with them?
    KRO+DNM

  • Tony says:

    What a scream big zig reckons it was a toss up who Arsenal signed him or Danny Wellbeck. Wonder why they didnt sign him?.

  • Alex T says:

    Assuming work commitments dont keep me occupied I would defo be interested :)

  • Kazakblue says:

    Would be very interested in this, will brighten up boring days in Kazakhstan

    • Tony says:

      Kazak, I assume you are there for work commitments, but tell me how do you get on with the natives bearing in mind the unrest in that part of the world.

      • Kazakblue says:

        Hi Tony,
        well I certainly wonder where you get the idea that there is unrest here in this part of the world.
        Kazakhstan is one of the most peaceful places I have ever worked, yes, I admit there have been problems on a very small scale in the past 10 years, but nothing that really effects anyone at all from overseas, be it Christian, Muslim, Black, Yellow, Brown or even a Vile supporter.
        Problems with the government of Kazakhstan are usually highlighted by the UK press such as the Daily Mail, who accuses the president of being all kinds of a monster, yes he takes very little Shi*e from anyone, he does not put up with terrorists, he acts quickly to quell any such nonsense, so basically is he right or wrong?
        He certainly seems to have more balls than the government in the UK, as it is a case of abide by our laws and rules, respect our cultures and traditions and we can get along famously.
        There are approximately 40000 ex-pats from every nationality working in Kazakhstan, they pay their taxes and are not allowed to scrounge off the Kazakhstan government, Hmmm I wonder if thats wrong or right.
        I would reccomend anyone to visit Kazakhstan, Astana, Almaty, Taraz just as examples, summers are hot, winters extremely cold, but a very warm welcome from everyone you come in contact with.
        Biggest problems here are getting the Blues on the TV, it did not happen even for the league cup.

        • Tony says:

          Apologies for ignorance, it certainly sounds as if we could learn a few things from Kazakhstan. Maybe the president could spare a few years to sort this place out is sure needs it.

  • Blooflame says:

    Well surprise, surprise! Pannu is still here and the Blues haven’t been sold! A load of Bolleaux as they say in France!!

    • Tony says:

      Sorry but its not for me, this whole sorry saga has bored me and many others to tears, the last thing I need is a book detailing every little non event.
      However I do ,appreciate the work Daniel has done on this site over the last so many years.

  • Luke Bowen says:

    I’ll definitely tune in and, if there’s the opportunity to ask questions, I’ll have a couple.

    • mark says:

      no staffs hes living in cloud cuckoo land if Arsenal were gonna sign him lol,
      as i said before his agent the problem….he could have stayed and maybe played a big part in getting blues back to the promise land, on acceptable wages imo…if he not found any offers in the mean time maybe we can fit him up with pay as you earn or offer him the contract that he supposedly turned down…..i wont hold my breath for long lol

      • mark says:

        has football lost it morals well with players on 300.000 per week it is laughable imo

        • dave mann says:

          the thing is mark teams like man u, barcelona, real madrid, psg can pay those wages and when you think that ronaldo earns 350,000 a week or 16 million a year but then generates tens of millions in shirt sales and other commercial contracts then you would have to say YES some players are worth that money how ever laughable you think it is. KRO.

          • mark says:

            dave what you saying my LC shirt worthless, but means everything to me :)

          • Staffs Blue says:

            Mark, can I ask….. why do you have a Linford Christie shirt? :-D

          • mark says:

            love it staffs we could do with a couple of players with his pace, joking apart. Brilliant the two lads koby and brown showing what they are capable of….one MOTM and other banging 4 in 5 games……

          • Staffs Blue says:

            That’s why Lee Clark has sent them out… to get that league experience. Hopefully, they’ll both come back bursting to get into the first team squad.

          • mark says:

            feedback from Clark it appears he wants more to go out on loan… nothing like league experience exactly

          • Staffs Blue says:

            Everyone agrees, that U21 football will never be as good as league football, even Leagues 1 & 2 or the Conference. The Development League isn’t competitive enough for them to progress to first team level.

          • Tony says:

            Cant we send Clark out on loan to the colliery eleven.

          • dave mann says:

            if it means everything to you mark then its priceless and you should get it framed and put up at home so you can remember all the BAD times…sorry all the good times. KRO.

          • mark says:

            it be worn at the coming double header at home……

          • dave mann says:

            lets hope it brings us 6 points mark. KRO.

          • Chris W says:

            I had a signed shirt that was pinned over my bed from the 60’s, an early girlfriend saw it and thought it looked dirty so she washed it, hence the relationship never came to much, in fact I still see her about and we still don’t speak… I can assure you the air was more than blue that day.
            KRO+DNM

          • mark says:

            terrible if she use vanish

          • Chris W says:

            I used Vanish double quick….
            She ruined a heirloom, Trevor Hockey, Johnny Vincent who are no longer with us.
            KRO+DNM

          • dave mann says:

            is she a blues fan or is she from the dark side……one things for sure shes a bloody idiot with no respect for historic nostalga. KRO.

          • Chris W says:

            She had little footballing Knowledge and from Great Barr, idiot was one of the lesser names I called her I can assure you.
            KRO+DNM

          • Tony says:

            Maybe the poor girl didnt understand how to wash or not to wash a signed shirt.

          • Chris W says:

            It was hung above my bed, the least she should have done was ask.
            It was a long time ago now but it still sticks in my throat.
            KRO+DNM

          • Tony says:

            Your lucky you had a girlfriend who would do a bit of washing Chris non of mine knew how too

          • Chris W says:

            That was her downfall, she didn’t :-)
            KRO+DNM

          • dave mann says:

            you still hold grudges from that far back chris, good on you because i would have done exactly the same thing….she would have been history. KRO.

          • Chris W says:

            Dave there are some things that cannot be forgiven period and washing a signed football shirt is top of the list in my book, she got the message and never darkened my door again, I did try getting her banished to the moon or another planet but NASA wouldn’t play.
            KRO+DNM

          • Chris W says:

            Can’t argue with your breakdown Dave but you have to admit that a lot of that money could be better used.
            Hospitals, the elderly, defences, third world development, Disaster zones or closer to home grass roots football.
            If clubs want to pay such wages and can afford them it is up to them. If my company wanted to pay me silly money I would not complain.
            One day Sky and the other companies throwing money into sports will come crashing down or find something else to support.
            The money is not shared evenly throughout the game in my opinion.
            KRO+DNM

          • dave mann says:

            what we dont here about to be fair chris is the amount of money your ronaldos, rooneys, messis and falcaos give to hospitals, third world development , the elderly and disasters that occur all over the world from the money they earn and the work they do to help others who are less furtunate so lets give then a bit of credit because not all footballers ae just motivated about money some do actualy put there money where there mouth is…and as you say its not there fault. KRO.

          • Chris W says:

            Fair point Dave and I agree that some players do a lot of good work, I believe one, Drogba I think, built a school and a hospital in a village in his country.
            I still think that a lot of the Sky monies could be bettered filtered throughout the game though and not just the premiership.
            KRO+DNM

          • dave mann says:

            definetley chris cant argue there, a few quid our way and portsmouths way and a lot of other clubs outside the premiership wouldnt go a miss but all they care about is the premier league because thats where the money is….filtering it down through the leagues sounds great and just worthy but they dont see it like we do. KRO.

          • mark says:

            most clubs run a ethos about players thinking about their community, thb that’s how it should be imo

          • dave mann says:

            very true. KRO.

        • oGaZm says:

          The real question we should be asking is not how much we pay the players, it’s where that money comes from. Oil-money, blood-money, the privatisation and sell-off of certain countries’ public services and all sorts of other morally questionable deals.

      • Staffs Blue says:

        Zigic or Welbeck? Zigic or Welbeck? Daddy or Chips? Obviously chips. :-)

    • Chris W says:

      We weren’t Staffs but thanks ;-)
      KRO+DNM

  • Blue Lizard says:

    Pannu will be off if he doesn’t get what he thinks hes worth???…in my book hes had way over a fiver many times!!!!! like the idea of a video bab!

    • Staffs Blue says:

      Chris Eagles would be the best signing of the summer if we could get him. I’m astonished that he’s still not fixed up with a club. :-O

      • mark says:

        certainly would agree there staffs ;)

      • Chris W says:

        Be a brilliant signing but is he the left footed winger we are looking for and what message does it send out to Duffy who an’t seem to get in the team.
        KRO+DNM

        • Staffs Blue says:

          Eagles is left-footed… Duffy is right-footed. No competition there.

          • Chris W says:

            Thanks Staffs, could only find he was an attacking winger.
            I still like the look of Duffy from what I have seen so far.
            KRO+DNM

          • Staffs Blue says:

            I can’t understand why Duffy isn’t getting much game time. Baffling.

          • Chris W says:

            Looks to do the bizz when he does come on, maybe he is not doing it in training, who knows how LC’s mind works, if at all.
            KRO+DNM

          • mark says:

            Duffy might get his opportunity 2morrow, i am of opinion Clark will probably freshen things up against leed utd….. We need be at them for full 90 mins. Early start, we are notoriously slow starters at these times…

          • Staffs Blue says:

            Leeds is next week mark. Go back to sleep and we’ll give you a shout when it’s time. :-)

          • mark says:

            nice to see someone the on ball staffs yes england play on monday,,lol

          • Staffs Blue says:

            I watched them against Norway… and turned over at half time. I realised that, I just can’t watch England anymore. If most of those players are our future.. then we’re proper fecked!

          • Chris W says:

            After watching that and the world cup nothing has changed much, any half decent team would have exploited our frailties.
            Can’t see Switzerland being much better either, RH should have walked along with his squad as soon as they landed after the world cup. As for Rooney captain I’d sooner give it to my goldfish and he is more exciting to watch too.
            KRO+DNM

          • Staffs Blue says:

            I absolutely agree. I just don’t see what Hodgson brings to the England team. We’re as poor now as we were under Cappello and Eriksson… and I can’t see it improving for decades, because we just don’t have the talent coming through.

          • Chris W says:

            I think we have the talent, but they are not allowed to express themselves the way foreign players are encouraged to do.
            We don’t have the coaches over here and as the FA are beginning to realise we have too many foreign players pro rata compared to other European leagues, home grown players are not getting the experience.
            As for Hodgson he should have just been a stop gap for the unsuccessful Euro’s, though I am not sure who would want the job from our present crop of managers or who could do the job, my personal choice would be Stuart Pearce.
            KRO+DNM

          • Staffs Blue says:

            I don’t see any talent that even comes close to players of even a decade ago, not to mention previous to that. Especially in defence. And I’m afraid if Rooney and Sturridge are the best we’ve got up front, we’ll always struggle for goals.

          • Tony says:

            I cant watch them now they are awful, limited players with a limited manager. His one tactic was to rely on Sterlings speed.
            centre defence non existent and who told Hodgson Jagielka was international class what a joke.
            Cahill sold himself on the far touchline again against Norway.
            Gerrard showed himself to be what he has always been Average.
            Having watched Germany i think the best thing to do is withdraw our national team from all competition for 5 years appoint a foreign coach and get down to work

          • Staffs Blue says:

            I don’t think we need another foreign coach tbh Tony. What did we do under Capello and Eriksson? What I really believe – and I know it sounds simplistic – is to stop trying to beat the foreigners at their own game… we’ll never, ever beat them. We’re not really born to play that way. Two wingers, a big, strong centre forward and at least one attacking midfielder coming behind. One thing’s for certain, Johnny Foreigner don’t like it up him. :-)

          • Tony says:

            Staffs we cant even pass a ball, I know you like the old fashioned English game and you don’t see the need for 4 or 5 passes when 1 will do. Gerrard did that in the world cup but most of the time his passes were intercepted or sailed over every ones head, in short they don’t find their target.
            Capello and Ericksson were European I wouldnt mind a south American in the job.

          • Staffs Blue says:

            What I will say, is that our strike force hasn’t once looked dangerous since Peter Crouch was dropped from the squad. Tell me a striker, in the years he was in the squad, who had a better strike rate for England? We need the difference that the likes of Crouch, Andy Carroll, etc can give us. It stops us being one-dimensional, which is what we are nowadays.

          • Chris W says:

            I agree Staffs, we won the world cup with Ramsay who refused to tow the line and played his own new system back then.
            We invented the game and now everyone dictates to us how we should play.
            KRO+DNM

          • Chris W says:

            We seem to have an abundance of midfielders, very few strikers and hardly any defenders.
            Rooney should never have played again after South Africa in my book, his attitude towards the supporters who went to support them was nothing more than an insult.
            I like Sturridge and Sterling together they did excite me when playing with Suarez last season, not sure they will have the same affect with Lambert, we need a Shearer type leader or another John Terry to galvanise the defence.
            We need someone as manager who is not going to be an FA yes man like Hodgson.
            KRO+DNM

  • mark says:

    while all the talk is about this and that Clark appears to continuing his search for players one ex- utd player and one ex -villa…..

  • mark says:

    hi staffs i am now wake glad to see that the board didn’t sell anyone in this transfer window, offer made by CP for gray of 500,000 was definately derisory imo

    • Staffs Blue says:

      But… if it had been £1m/£1.2m would they have still refused?

      • mark says:

        They may well return in January staffs, but if the player forces the issue there nothing anyone can do, regardless whether we all think his football education is best served with us……

        • Staffs Blue says:

          This article in the BM highlights just what league we’re in where players are concerned. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-among-championships-lowest-7728558

          • Chris W says:

            I suppose the bright side is we made around £850 k profit, added to the wages we saved on Zig should see BIHL keep us afloat till around the next transfer window when I expect us to become a selling club again, unless things change dramatically both on and off the pitch.
            Not holding my breath in either case though.
            KRO+DNM.

          • Staffs Blue says:

            Other than Reece Brown, Demarai Gray and Koby Arthur… I can’t see who else we could get more than £250,000 for. So if we’re going to sell, it would have to be one or all of those 3.

          • Chris W says:

            Well 2 of the 3 are making waves with their respective loan clubs and Nick Townsend is proving to be more than adequate.
            I wouldn’t trust BIHL with anything, the old adage “if it ain’t bolted down it has to go” comes to mind, thankfully the Blues trust acquired a ACV on St Ans, but I wouldn’t put it past BIHL to test the water and see how strong an ACV is.
            Please tell me I am wrong.
            KRO+DNM

          • Staffs Blue says:

            I don’t think anyone would put anything past that lot. If they can sell the likes of Butland and Redmond… then they won’t bat an eyelid at offloading Brown, Gray, Arthur, or Townsend.

          • mark says:

            Edgar improving all the time not sure what price he could command if he continues having a good season we us…

  • mark says:

    maybe our financial side is not as bad as most fans think…..

  • Staffs Blue says:

    Word is, that Jose Riga is about to get the hook… and be replaced by Owen Coyle. http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/riga-heading-for-exit-and-coyle-could-replace-him-1-6826411

  • Staffs Blue says:

    A blast from the (not too distant) past: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29088669

  • williammorgan says:

    Hodgson is like Lee Clark ,he has some great managerial attributes ,but has the bad habit of peeing fans off with his insistance on doing things to plan when the fans can see it is not working_England and blues do not have enough shots on target ,I would play cotterill and Duffy on the wings to get us in the box ,and have one central midfield player that can score goals ,pass ,and defend ,hard player to find


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