Often Partisan

Time to Prove the Doubters Wrong

It emerged yesterday Diego Fabbrini is set to sign for Middlesbrough on a year-long loan, finally ending the pursuit in the Italian by Blues following his short loan spell at St Andrew’s last season.

From looking at forums and social media yesterday the news has been met with some disappointment – not just from fans who valued the creativity of Fabbrini in the attacking midfield position but also the feeling that this was another deal that “had got away”.

I can understand the sense of frustration in some quarters. Having been told that there was money to bring in a better class of players it’s just not happened, and naturally the more cynical and pessimistic fans are already out in force saying that the money just isn’t there – that it’s all another ploy to get them to buy a season ticket. I can’t believe that’s the case – I suspect the frustration over deals have not happening is mirrored within the walls of St Andrew’s too.

The trouble with looking at better quality players is that we’re now competing with better quality teams for them. I do believe some money is there – the club would never have offered better deals to Gray, Donaldson and Caddis for three if it wasn’t – but I also think it’s a relative term. Last season we were rooting around the bins outside Lidl; this year we’re actually able to shop with the other clubs inside but we’re still looking for value rather than living it up in Waitrose.

This is where as a management team Gary Rowett and Panos Pavlakis earn their corn. They’ve done fairly well in that they’ve managed to kill the rumours around both Gray and Donaldson and secure them to better deals – something that Blues as a club haven’t been able to do for a few years. However, I think the onus is on them now to complete a couple of deals to complete the squad; to show that they have the capability to bring in players on the next level.

I don’t think it’s always about money although I’m sure it plays a large part in negotiations. Blues have in the past managed to sign players on less money than they had been offered elsewhere because management had convinced them that they would fit into a vision; maybe a chance to play in a preferred position consistently or a chance to make the step up and prove themselves.

Now it seems we’re competing with teams at the upper end of the Championship for players we need to convince players that we could be challenging there too – that there is an opportunity for the club to grow further and in a small, tight squad they could be a focal point in a push for the top six. I honestly believe the club is in the best position it’s been since it was relegated to build for promotion and I want to believe that we have the backroom team to implement that.

Blues may have lost out on Fabbrini and Tesche but they’re not the be-all and end-all. If (and it’s a big if) Blues can secure a couple of decent signings in the next two weeks I think the positivity around the club will return and people will be pumped for the new season. Fail to get deals across the line and it gives naysayers the ammunition to say that there was never a chance. It’s time for the club to prove those naysayers wrong.

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125 Responses to “Time to Prove the Doubters Wrong”

  • big al says:

    Rowett always implied there was a clear back-up plan. Now is the time to implement it. I wonder if it includes taking that arsenal teenager on loan?

    • atko says:

      I don’t believe any loan deals will be done until the start of the season. I believe that GR will be trying to improve the squad with permanent additions then if there are any holes to fill in his opinion once we are under way, he may inquire about a loan or two then. That makes sense rather than waste time with loans now whilst all available players sign up elsewhere.

  • Bluey says:

    We can`t compete with the likes of Boro,Derby,QPR etc financially or in terms of ambition. I am not surprised the better players are slipping through our fingers.

  • Stephen says:

    It’s a problem faced by many clubs. If you take a player on loan without the guaranteed right to buy, then you are likely to lose them if they play well.

  • river says:

    sick of being beaten to the signature of half decent players from smaller clubs with more money,i hope rowetts plan g is a decent 1.i am starting to lose patience now can we attract ANYONE decent

    • Mirkwood55 says:

      For example?? Would hardly call Middlesborough a smaller club. Choosing to join a club which was a play-off finalist last season, has just spent 7m on Stewart Downing and has offered 12m for Jordan Rhodes isn’t exactly a hard choice!

  • AJ says:

    Wouldn’t the money from season tickets have covered the new contracts?

  • Bluepenguin76 says:

    Great article Dan…I’m not too dissapointed! We aren’t the biggest hitters in the championship nowadays and its happens! As long as Rowett has other targets lined up we should be fine! its easy to be dejected,but in truth the club is still in a stronger posistion than it was last year!!

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Now the boot is on the other foot where financial backing is concerned. I well remember the 90’s under Barry Fry, Sullivan and Gold being able to outbid most non-Premier League clubs from the third tier of English football.
    Blues’ spent £1.6m in 1994/5 on Ricky Otto and Kevin Francis alone, which was worth a lot more then than £1.6m is today.
    When we haven’t got the financial clout of yesteryear it gives our younger talent the opportunity to blossom. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see players such as Reece Brown, Koby Arthur and Mitch Hancox claim regular starting spots.

  • ChrisG says:

    I know this as fact that GR was recently seen talking to several top quality players. I hope by naming 2 of them i’m not throwing a spanner in the works but they were none other than Trevor Francis & Bob Hatton!!!, their legs might have gone but they could still probably find the net & I’m pretty confident that a deal can be done!!!. KRO

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Tbh, I’m not that ars*d about Tesche or Fabbrini, they’re not the only decent players around. I think most fans doubted that we’d sign them anyway. But, I’m a bit disappointed that we’ve buggered about for months on those two, when we could have been sounding out other players. It would be nice if we could bring in at least one decent quality Championship player in the next week. A centre back preferrably.

    • Mirkwood55 says:

      How do you know we haven’t been sounding out other players? Do you share an office with GR? Do you listen in on his phone calls?

    • almajir says:

      Staffs.

      Is it just possible they’re two that we know about – and the club have been chasing more?

      • Tmsblues says:

        Thank gr is hostage to his own words now…. He promised signings to surprise and excite…… Mmm? The only surprise appears to be for gr and panos who thought that players like tesche and Fabrini would join us on a fraction of what they would get from any decently funded champ side! He and panos are currently up against it now to deliver some kind of marque signings to lift morale of supporters. For all the positive player comments being set up for the press to print, eventually the lack of the clubs ability to genuinely team build with the acquisition of quality players will also put doubts in their mind. We are several players down on last season and the squad is tight. I suspect we will end up signing players just to fill the numbers or loaning kids from clubs that demand regular playing time regardless of form or ability. I hope I am wrong and a decent couple of classy signings are made but I think we might just be taking what others don’t want.

  • VGA says:

    OK first Birmingham are not competing with the likes OF QPR Burnley Middlesbrough Ipswich derby in terms of money. But We can compete with any club in terms of desire will and ambition
    there is money to spend but not at that level.

    All so Fabbrini as not yet singed for Middlesbrough
    He as a lot to think about like as Middlesbrough have 3/4 player that will compete for his place in the team he wont be guaranteed first team football witch is the hole point of his move.

    It as also emerged that Ipswich are also in the race to sing him so he will speak with them as well
    He as already healed talks with Birmingham before he talked to Middlesbrough . 54% of the time players sing for the club they spoke with first make of that what you will.

    I can tell you that there is an agreement in place for a player that in not Fabbrini or Tesche but a Good quality player I cant confirm who . It is just a case of his parent club completing on one of there singings before it can be finalised. KRO

    • Richard Granfield says:

      VGA…… Sign is spelt sign……sing is what vocalists do ok.

      • VGA says:

        Is that all you have to do pick over a typo Hmmm .

        • Steve-o says:

          Type-o? There are more spelling mistakes in your post than there are words. “Witch is the hole point” was probably your best moment.

          I doubt people believe you have inside information when delivering it in such a way. Personally I think you’re full of it.

          Why come on here telling everybody that you know of an agreement in place for another player? It’s clear BS. So the club have verbally agreed for a good quality player to come to Blues with that player and his agent, and they’re all just sitting there hoping Blues don’t sign somebody better in the meantime? Really?

    • almajir says:

      Re Fabbrini – https://instagram.com/p/5h2nEoBbJC/?taken-by=rachediego

      Looks like he’s going there to me mate :)

      • VGA says:

        Well he as now not at the time I posted my reply but why should we be bothered about that he is a good player but there are other players he ant the only player in the would that can do a job.

        • pete says:

          VGA

          I don’t mean to be rude but if know something – say it. Or at least give something that might prove you right later. What you are doing just sounds like you are pretending to be in the know. So please elaborate if the is something positive.

          • BhamCityJulian says:

            It’s Maikel Kieftenbeld but if you are told something in confidence you have to honour it

          • pete says:

            Will accept somebody knows something when they say something BEFORE a newspaper….. sorry but anyone can say they know something
            .

  • Agent McLeish says:

    Some fans talk about Frabbrini like he was some sort of world class player that the club has let go to another club. He isn’t a great player and I don’t care that he’s gone to Boro. We can get better for similar wages so let’s move on.
    We still have to work on a shoestring and the club has to be careful with the resources they have. Keeping proven players like the Don and Gray is a sign that there are some improvements. Under Peter Pan they would have been sold so he could trouser his commission.

  • oldburyblue says:

    Spot on Richard. Traditionally we have always been a relatively big fish in a small pond when in the 2nd tier and huge when in the 3rd. We have benefitted in previous years by being wealthier than many of our competitors in the lower leagues and so able to splash the cash….but those days have gone… at least for the time being. Rest assured that if and when we receive a large cash injection we will be out-bidding other Clubs again and trying to buy success like the wealthier Clubs of today.

  • Mineheadblue says:

    I can only assume that Fabbrini has never been to Middlesbrough, the place that was recently voted worst place in England to live.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Just turned up at Burton and it’s a lovely day and blues fans everywhere . Kro

  • atko says:

    The thing is Blues are hovering between two markets but fans want it both ways. The first market is the one which all the leading clubs in the Championship are competing in, the one most fans want us to be in, whilst the second is the one where we look down in to the lower divisions. If you want a better quality player from the first market then you have to wait longer for things to happen. If you want signings now then GR can always turn to lower league signings but he then faces criticism by fans for signing players who are unproven at this level.

    Summer time sees a lot of football competitions still going on worldwide. The CONCACAF is still under way for one this year. Other years there is the World Cup or the Euros. Whilst Blues may not be able to be looking at players who play in these tournaments, other clubs may be looking at them therefore not willing to release players or allow clubs to talk to their players until they have their own plans confirmed. It’s like buying a house & being stuck in a chain, until someone moves then everyone in the chain is at a standstill. We have to be patient for a better player & let’s not forget GR will only sign IF they improve the quality of the squad but also remember they have to be able to FIT in to the squad too!

    • Blue Steve says:

      This is the most accurate description I have read of our current situation. I am not sure we are competing with the leading Championship clubs just yet therefore its going to be really tough to get these deals done. I thinks its absolutely the right strategy to operate in this market though. I would much rather have one quality player than 4 or 5 that are very pretty much similar in quality to what we already have.

  • As says:

    Disappointed about Teshe not bothered about Fabbiani.
    Fabbiani promised much last season and delivered nothing other than fancy dribbles in the middle of. The field and earned a few non productive free kicks by throwing himself to the ground, he is not a player I would want to join us

  • Gibbo says:

    Did you see his performance for Millwall at Stans…Class

  • dave says:

    have you forgot the teams this season are going to be stronger, what might happen is we lose lots of games the fans start having ago all because there is know money in the pot, its very difficult to bring in better players with money, so don’t blame the manager I do think we will struggle who do you blame the owners, until things change which could be a very long time, the most important thing is we keep hold of gary rowett how long dose he carry on with blues with know money time will tell, I hope I am wrong, all the best dave.

  • paule says:

    Does anyone know if we are still losing against the mighty Albion?

  • Adam True Blue says:

    You set your stall out and you get what you pay for, Burton 2-0 up, looks like flirting with relegation again. Very disappointed, we should have used this game to make our Mark.

  • What is getting me spitting feathers is not just the fact that we have failed to get a handful of players ,it is the fact that there has been a host of players at the end of their contracts that have quality that are not earning half of what tesche was earning, so why haven’t they come through the door at Stan’s , as many finished below blues in the table ,and some were relegated , I only believe what I see , another thing that is bugging me is the fact that some villa fans have complained to the authorities about a loud sucking noise coming from the other side of the city , if you don’t believe me read some of these comments .

  • Mark H says:

    It was common knowledge that Tesche and Fabbrini, were top of his list for obvious reasons, but Rowett is no mug. He’s got a back up plan for other targets. Anyone we bring in on loan is a gamble, as no one knows how they will fit into the system. We just have to let GR do his job, and we should relax. We ain’t going down, so lets all be pleasantly surprised with where the team finishes this season!

  • Burton 2 blues 0 ..no doubt about it , believe what you see , ayup that sucking noise has stopped , I’d laugh but it hurts to much ,….

    • The problem is managers don’t listen to fans ,boards don’t listen to fans , owners don’t listen to fans , fans probably watch a wider variety of football than managers do go into stats more of why man.utd do so well , ect more than what managers do , of course fans couldn’t run a club , but they saw three players on loan with the right sort of skills for their position change a team , and has the club signed them no , has the club replaced them like for like no , we the fans do not no everything about running a club , but we do know what we see , and we do know what we like , and we do know that stats say the team needs more goals and more passing and a new centre back ,in other words we needed three players like for like and a goalscorer ,there that wasn’t hard, simples, or new owners with more money that wants the club for what it is and not what they can make from it ….

      • StaffsBlue says:

        We all have our ideas on players we’d like, but wouldn’t presume to tell the manager which players to sign. We as fans might not know as much as the manager, but, as you rightly pointed out, we know which areas we’re weak in and what kind of player we need to strengthen that area. I’m presuming the manager does too.

  • atko says:

    Thankfully none of us are in charge at Blues. Given some of the comments on here, we would have promised almost every player that’s available a deal….not sure where the money is coming from to sign them but assuming we had the funds in the bank, we would be bankrupt by the time the season started! We have a certain amount available for transfers & we have money for day to day running of the business. Remember this is a BUSINESS which requires day to day funding! Transfers are just a small piece of a much bigger picture!!

  • Dave Mann says:

    I don’t want any excuses from anyone..!that was freckling awful and I am being nice as I can at this moment In time trust me… That waste of gutter performance …,,,play the reserves , and I am being totally serious trust me., very very Angry . Kro

    • Bluey says:

      I`m not that angry…more resigned to our fate. This is going to be an average season at best unless we get some investment on the playing side and i don`t see that happening.

    • atko says:

      The problem with that game Dave was I’m not sure how much it benefited GR & his backroom staff. To go to a team who sits back & plays a 4-2-3-1 in a pre season friendly was I’m sure not useful at all. Burton just frustrated all afternoon. The only thing we learned from the game is we are desperate for a creative midfielder who can unlock a defense. My concern is even if we got that, is Donaldson going to put the ball in the net as much as he did last season & some more too? It’s a big ask & a big expectation too. Aside from him we don’t have anyone as prolific as he was last season. Is it worth giving Denny Johnstone a go? From what I have seen he has done well this pre-season & looks sharp. When we signed him people said he is one for the future but he is 20 now. There are many 20 year olds & younger playing regularly!

  • Neil says:

    Sent this to panos @jaggerneil: @PanosInAsia not a good result need some creativity mid field and quality firepower sorry sound negative panos

  • Blue lizard says:

    just to take the piss out of what is now a shit day tesche scores for forest……….

  • StaffsBlue says:

    If Rowett was ever in doubt about how much we need quality, today should have spelled it out very clear. The less said about the result the better.

    Duffy and Reilly must be buzzing.

  • Mitchell says:

    Dave, when you feel up to it could you please give us a 1-10 on today’s performance by Maghoma, Kuszack, Spector and Gray. Take you time as I can feel your anger at today’s efforts. thanks.

  • Mitchell says:

    On reflection to the current situation,we do have to accept that the squad is very much weaker than that which finished the season just gone. Once realisation and acceptance to that -then and only then can GR plan and plot the target of getting the 48pts. required. This league as already stated by many pundits is going to be the most vicious in many years. Survival of the lesser teams( which we are one) is going to start from day one. No player in a blues shirt apart from Gray and possible Arthur is going to get better. We start with a hard game against Reading which at best will only get us a point. They, like Middlesbrough and Brentford have spent heavily. Finally, let us remember that GR is a young manager who imo needs an older head alongside him. After today’s game we all NOW know what the seasons target is all about.

  • Blues fan says:

    Just listened to Gary Rowett on radio WM he sounded totally fed up especially when he was asked about tesche & fabrini & other transfer targets I’ve said it before I think it’s only a matter of time before he gets fed up at the lack of spending power at blues he will either leave or another club will poach him. And I work with a Sheffield wed fan he said they could wait to get rid of maghoma he said he’s very lazy he will look like a world beater for one game then have loads of bad games.

  • jonno11blue says:

    Firstly thing Rowett needs to do is change the goalkeeper, he doesn’t inspire any confidence, he made mistakes at both Nuneaton and Kidderminster before today. We need two quality midfield players, a centre half and someone who can play behind Donaldson and that’s before August 8th.
    With regards to Fabbrini, I understand Watford wanted a substantial loan fee which was out of our range.

  • Tom says:

    Should have kept Matty Green he’s got goals in him shame he got injured

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    Today is surely a watershed moment. It will be the first time when Gary will find himself under pressure:

    pressure to solve what by all accounts was a worrying performance with dodgy goalkeeping, slipshod defending, lack of creativity and woeful finishing;

    pressure to bring in a centre back; box to box and creative midfielders and a striker who is better than Novak and Thomas, evidently with insufficient resources to convince clubs to sell or loan and perhaps players to push for a move.

    Time for Panos to convince E&Y to loosen the Trillion purse-strings

  • tony says:

    There is something not quite right here,we have been after Tesch and Fabbiani for months now one looks like hes going elsewhere and the other staying put.
    Its difficult to believe Rowett would not pursue other targets whilst waiting for this pair, we have by my reckoning at least 7 million that is ample to bring in decent quality players so where are they?.
    With the season getting closer by the day we are getting desperate and Rowett is running short on credits

    • jonno11blue says:

      Tony, why do you think we have any money, let alone several million? Even if TTA have loaned this money yet (it takes time to put security in place) I understand some of this is to repay HSBC, who presently have the charge on St Andrews, Then there is money to BIH who these funds are being loaned too so likely very little will find it way to St Andrews.

    • pete says:

      7 million? !?!? Lol

  • Andrew says:

    I’m no doubter I just haven’t been proven we are a serious side in the championship since hughton. The team we have is OK but if you want to be promoted you need to be able to spend 2-3 or 4 million on a few key ‘make the difference’ type players and we haven’t done so for a while. I’m not saying buy Ronaldo, but that sort of money for wages etc isn’t there so I’m well in my rights to think as I do. I’m not a doubter I’m a realist.

  • paule says:

    With this current squad we will be fighting relegation!! I don’t understand anyone who thinks these players could finish in a safe position in the league, take a look at all the teams in the championship & take a look at their squads we will struggle against all of them. We need to give all our support to the lads on the pitch & help them grind out enough points to keep us up. I don’t understand why Gary Rowett hasn’t brought in any decent players if we are to believe there’s money to spend, he has had plenty of time to sort things out but all we have signed is poor goalkeepers & worst players than we released.

    • Steve-0 says:

      What? Even though last season was evidence they could finish top half? I’m saying they will repeat that, but you’re denying any conceivable may of it happening, even though it’s already happened before.

    • Steve-0 says:

      What? Even though last season was evidence they could finish top half? I’m not saying they will repeat that, but you’re denying any conceivable way of it happening, even though it’s already happened before.

  • edd77 says:

    After watching that today Donaldson is far from undroppable,I know its only a friendly ,but we wouldnt have scored if we’d played all night

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I find it hard to believe that Rowett would put all his eggs in one basket (re Tesche and Fabbrini.) He couldn’t be that stupid.. could he? But, he must see what the fans can see and attempt to bring in the players that will make the difference.

    Unless Edgar is the answer, we need a dominant centre back, someone who is vocal and can lead the defence… because they appear to be as disorganised as they were at times last season. We also need a dominant midfielder, who can take the game (and the players) by the scruff of the neck and drive us on. If Donaldson keeps missing chances like he has (and did last season,) we’ll need another striker to give him a kick up the arris. At times, he would struggle to hit a cow’s ar$e with a banjo.

    You would have hoped by this stage of pre-season to have seen an improvement across the board, but sadly it doesn’t seem to be the case. Well Mr Rowett, you have 2 matches to sort it out, or you’re in for a hard season. Good luck.

    • atko says:

      That’s the problem GR has got Staffs! It’s been well documented that we were close to signing players & suddenly deals fell through. When he thinks he has cracked it then the rug pulled from under him, it’s back to the drawing board. We all know that you can’t get players in overnight unless you look in the lower leagues & that’s not the sort of player we should be attracting. Clubs dragging their heals, players dragging their heals & who get’s the flack? GR of course! Fans are getting frustrated but I bet there is nobody more frustrated than GR himself! You can identify 3 or 4 players for each position but if they aren’t available, their club won’t give permission to speak to them or the player isn’t interested then what can you do?

      People on here have named players that are or have been available but obviously GR doesn’t see them fitting in our team or he knows not to waste his time as he hasn’t the funds for that sort of player. Nobody will be more frustrated than GR! Good news is that Tatts said today that he is aware of Blues interest in a number of players, he couldn’t identify them for obvious reasons but let’s hope something does go right for GR soon before too many people start getting on his back & they drive him away!

      • pete says:

        Which players did we just miss out on though….?

      • StaffsBlue says:

        Can’t disagree with any of that tbh. Maybe Rowett and Panos need to go that extra mile to snare one or two. I think the manager knows the fans are behind him and appreciates their frustration. I’ve no doubt the right players will be brought in… I just hope we’re not playing catch up by then.

  • paule says:

    StaffsBlue i agree with what you’re saying but maybe he hasn’t been given the funds or the go-ahead to sign what he believes will strengthen the squad.. At the moment i think we are relegation fodder & if we do go down we’ll.miss out on playing the crock of shite from down the road because surly they ‘ll drop to their level for the following season. We need 4 to 5 decent players plus a goalkeeper to have a half decent season but the idiots running the Club seem to think Rowett can do the job without the tools.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      With the promise of extra cash for players, fans expectations changed… which is natural. If the money isn’t there to bring in one or two better quality players, then they should come out and say so.

    • Geoff S says:

      The point is the club has recently said they could fund the acquisition of two quality players so who should we believe?

  • atko says:

    I think the key is how GR works the loan system this season. Both now & in January. I think they will be thinking if we can get a couple of players in now on a permanent basis ideally, then be there or thereabouts at the turn of the new year then hopefully we can free up some more funds by then. We can then look at bringing personnel in come January until the end of the season.

  • raymondo says:

    Sadly, because he saw the potential in Tesche and Fabrinni and got the best out of them wiith his management skills this has backfired on him because other managers with more money now want those players. Forest want to keep Tesche now and Fabrinni has attracted Middlesborough who have far more money to pay better wages and money talks. I personally don’t see any reason to moan about it. It’s the way of the world. Take it on the chin and try again with some other players, that’s all GR can do. He’ll do better than any of his critics would because he and his staff are all ex-Blues players and they care about the club. Giving up or moaning about problems is for losers. GR is not a loser. He’s already got three key players to sign new contracts. Trust the man.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Team performance was 0/10 and I can’t think of a single player who even did ok!!! Bloody awfull result and even a fan by us collapsed and needed medical attention which took ages to get but thankfully he was ok so at least something good came out of the game… Oh and a guy collapsed in the pub we were in before the game as well but was taken to hospital and I hope he’s ok also…. You could tell it was going to be one of those days . Kro

    • mark says:

      Hi Dave totally agree with your comments, if anyone thought we were going to stream Burton were sadly mistaken yesterday. I mentioned yesterday that they would take great pride in taking us why because they wanted it more even if it was a friendly. Lots of factors can play a part in this, burton to prove they can mix it with the best,some of their players were up for it, prove their previous manager wrong,playing in front of their crowd. i believe they generally wanted it more than us, if blues think they can just turn up,and think they can just win we are in trouble. this up to GR to laid the foundations and prepare his squard mentally and physically to cope ……….it just a opinion

    • Geoff S says:

      Very poor performance with a result to match against modest opposition. Do you think it was just one of those days or maybe more cause for concern?

  • Bernard Morecambe says:

    A blessing in disguise: I hope the Burton Albion game has given GR & Panos the evidence (if needed) that we need really to strengthen. If we want to finish anywhere near 10th place, I hope yesterday’s game proves to be the kick up the backside some current players need.

    In other news where have Boro got all this money from? Spending £7m on Downing to buy him plus pay his substantial wage, bidding £10m+ on other players plus the substantial loan fee and wage for Fabbrini. Have the ‘only spend what you earn’ rules kicked in yet. Surely their parachute payments ended years ago????

    Onwards and upwards, this season will be a long hard battle in and around the lower middle part of the table given the current squad and very limited funds we have. Hoping we sign the centre back and creative midfielder we need, my guess is GR will use the loan system in and around late Aug. KRO

  • AJ says:

    The Burton game was a prime example of why you should never ever attend a friendly game, leave it to the anoraks/autograph hunters

  • Mitchell says:

    New goalkeeper brings back nightmares of a certain Gary Sprake.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Thank god it was a friendly because if that would have been Burnley away on 15th august we would have got spanked big time so ime thankfull for that but a massive improvement must be made before we play Reading that’s for sure . Kro

  • mark says:

    why Diego wont come to us simple we are not good enough…….i think that’s sorted it

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I think you’ll find that one is all down to money.

      • Bluey says:

        It`s not just money though is it? We have to face facts that we`re potless and have limited ambition. Until this club is sold and fresh investment is forthcoming we`ll continue to struggle and miss out on better players. Any fan who doesn`t see this is deluded.

        • Geoff S says:

          Harsh words, Bluey, but I think there’s some substance in what you say.

        • StaffsBlue says:

          Then deluded I am, for I believe it was down to a better financial deal.

          • Geoff S says:

            Staffs.

            It’s obvious other Championship clubs can outspend Blues quite heavily in this day and age but an announcement was made by the club recently where it said the funding of a couple of players of quality could be met.

            I hope people will lay off GR as he only wants to bring in players who he thinks will improve the squad and not just make up the numbers. I reckon it will be a case of who else Rowett has in mind on what seems to be a fairly lengthy list.

            That said, the frustration of so few new signings at this stage coupled with yesterday’s worryingly poor result AND PERFORMANCE have understandably got many Blues fans concerned with the season proper now less than a fortnight away.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I think what most fans are worried about, is that we have a tough first month coming up and we don’t want to end up with two or three defeats and be playing catch up. If the present squad get their ars*s into gear, it won’t be as much of a problem, but if we turn in a performance like yesterday, we’ll get well and truly spanked. I’ll be interested to see how the team goes tomorrow. I think there will be a few playing for a place in team. Hopefully.

          • Bluey says:

            It may have been a better financial deal but don`t underestimate the lure of playing for a club with ambition and prospects. We have neither at the moment to offer players.

  • Mitchell says:

    Dutch ‘Tesche lookalike’ jetting in to sign?

  • Geoff S says:

    I don’t know if this will be much comfort but I recall Blues getting turned over 4-1 in a pre-season game a few seasons’ back at Crewe but the season proper which followed wasn’t so bad.

  • Dave Mann says:

    It was turning up and sitting back and let Burton play all round us and that’s un acceptable for me as Blues fan and the other 2,200 who turned up , friendly or no friendly but when you have got the support we give at all away games it brings tears to eyes and I can’t understand why the players can’t respond to that and play full on for 90 mins , it’s down to attitude not the quality of players and our attitude was disrespectful to all fans who turned up at the stadium yesterday , improve quickly blues because money or no money that team yesterday should have beaten Burton but just laid down and did nothing positive , there goalie had an easy day ! Kro

    • StaffsBlue says:

      That’s just it though Dave, that’s what our game is all about… sit back and let the other team have the posession. That’s ok if you have players who can put their foot in and win the ball. It also relies heavily on the front 4 to be on their game for 90 minutes. It’s a risky game. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn’t. I just hope it comes off more often than not.

    • BhamCityJulian says:

      I’ve had plenty of experience of below par away friendlies. The players just aren’t up for it because they’re not important

  • oldburyblue says:

    Buying players is not like us going to the supermarket for our evening meal. If I put sausages in my basket and then see steak for a bargain price in the reduced section I can always put the sausages back. Imagine paying for those sausages and then on the way out spotting the reduced steak but not having the money to buy it. On the other hand of course if I don’t buy anything in the hope of getting a bargain later, I risk going hungry that night!

    • Andrew says:

      At this stage worrying about what quality of ‘meat’ your working with is irrelevant. We need players to do a job. We still only have 1 centre back I can’t understand why I’m the only one aware of this. Forget the steak it didn’t look that good a cut anyway.

      • AJ says:

        Morrison, Edgar, Spector and grounds can play there. That’s four

        • Andrew says:

          grounds, specter aren’t natural center backs. as much as i like them, good players thats not their position. and edgar well he is just edgar cant say a lot there just that if he was in the frame im sure by now he would be getting game time

          • pete says:

            Grounds is a centre half who can play left back. In my opinion spectre is best there as well.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    It’s all very frustrating for sure… but I wouldn’t think Rowett will leave us short come the 8th.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Ime looking forward to my Sunday lunch now oldburyblue but I understand what you mean , we conceded 2 goals had 2 fans collapse and I had a 2pint beer in the ground , they say it comes in 3s so bring on Benfica B monday at St. George’s , my prediction , yes you’ve got it 3-0!, to them not us!! Kro

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    Maghoma looks a useful signing as Tesche would have been and Fabrinni too if he realises he would be worshipped here and be first choice.

    Tomasz Kuszczak, Adam Legzdins and potentially Maikel Kieftenbeld are worse signings because I can only input them by using iOS shortcuts

  • Dave Mann says:

    Sorry Julian but Maghoma as been fringing useless and wouldnt even make my bench but that’s my opinion , kieftenbeld we don’t know anything about do potentially we don’t know what signing he’s going to be IF he signs !! Kro

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Translating the Groningen website, it says that there is a clause in his contract that ‘FC Groningen had agreed with this provision because it was one of the results of the contract negotiations. The limited transfer fee was one of the conditions of Kieftenbeld to extend for two seasons.’

    • StaffsBlue says:

      The BM says this about Maghoma today: ‘In truth there wasn’t a huge amount of positives to take from a flat display at the Pirelli Stadium, but the performance and physical condition of new signing Jacques Maghoma will be one. Released by Sheffield Wednesday, the winger showed electric pace to ghost past defenders a handful of times.

      The 27-year-old also showed a decent first touch, close control and wasn’t afraid to let fly with a couple of shots. That he was the first player withdrawn suggested Rowett had seen enough and was impressed. Maghoma didn’t look like he needed any more game time, Clayton Donaldson and Stephen Gleeson sure did.’

    • BhamCityJulian says:

      Brian Dicks offers a different opinion

  • Dave Mann says:

    Can’t agree sorry , maybe my expectations are to much but maghoma is why Sheffield w were so quick to get rid of him and I can see why. Kro

  • AJ says:

    Think you maybe in a minority there

  • Dave Mann says:

    Only with ” fans ” that don’t go to games and not those supporters who do turn up .. I think I’ve made myself clear .

  • oldburyblue says:

    Just back from watching our Ladies Team. WE WON!! 1-0 against the champions Liverpool so very pleased. Shocking day but put a smile on my face after the Kiddy and Shrewsbury matches. Not able to go yesterday….fortunately by the sounds of it!


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