- Home
- Birmingham City
- Current Squad
- Adam Legzdins
- Jonathan Grounds
- Paul Robinson
- Ryan Shotton
- Maikel Kieftenbeld
- Robert Tesche
- Stephen Gleeson
- Clayton Donaldson
- Diego Fabbrini
- David Cotterill
- Rhoys Wiggins
- Che Adams
- Lukas Jutkiewicz
- Viv Solomon-Otabor
- Jacques Maghoma
- Greg Stewart
- Jonathan Spector
- David Davis
- Michael Morrison
- Tomasz Kuszczak
- Paul Caddis
- Development Squad
- Academy
- Ladies Team
- Sophie Baggaley
- Alex Windell
- Meaghan Sargeant
- Jess Carter
- Kerys Harrop
- Freda Ayisi
- Kirsty Linnett
- Bella Linden
- Andrine Hegerberg
- Abbey-Leigh Stringer
- Melissa Lawley
- Charlie Wellings
- Chloe Peplow
- Rebecca Lloyd
- Connie Schofield
- Emily Westwood
- Cheryl Edwards
- Corina Schröder
- Ashlee Brown
- Coral-Jade Haines
- Aoife Mannion
- Ann-Katrin Berger
- Out on Loan
- Former Players
- Boards and Advisors
- Appearance Data 2014/2015
- Current Squad
- Factfiles
- Series
- Sponsorship
- Website Info
- Social Media
- Contact Me
October Positivity
Birmingham City enter the October international break in a strong position after beating Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at St Andrew’s on Saturday. That result leaves Blues in 6th place on 20 points having lost fewer games than any other team in the division.
It’s safe to say that after the Wolves game I did not think Blues would be in this position come October. Things had looked stale on the pitch and I remember being worried about how much the club was being held to ransom in the transfer market after bids were being continually knocked back for Che Adams and for Greg Stewart.
Credit to Rowett and Panos, they got the transfers done – and while a couple were let go out of the door too the squad is undoubtedly stronger now. It’s not just that we have better players; it’s that even with players missing Blues can put out a strong XI and have options on the bench. I know that Rowett has always liked a smaller squad but I think his desire for this was hampered by still having within it players drawing a wage that he was never going to play.
The accounts published on Friday show how tough it is for Blues – they confirm that the club made a £3million loss last season and that almost every penny taken in by BIH is paid out in wages. The fact is plain – without the money pumped in by Trillion Trophy Asia the club would have gone bust; the HK$264million raised by the various share machinations in the takeover by TTA will go into the club but don’t expect £26million to spend in the transfer market; it’s the funds needed to run the club for the next two years.
While it is harder to compete in this division without millions to spare on transfers and wages I don’t think it’s impossible. Our friends across the expressway have shown that for all their braggadocio in the transfer market that it’s all about putting together a team and that they have failed miserably to do so; there are already calls for Roberto Di Matteo to be sacked and the toxic cycle enveloping their club has continued further.
As an interesting aside, should Rowett have gone to Fulham last year – which believe me was a lot closer than some would care to admit – then my understanding is that the preferred candidate within the club to replace him was Di Matteo. Look at what you could have won indeed…
By the time we return from the international break the official date of the takeover will be upon us. I think it’s important that people realise that not much is going to change and that there won’t be some grand announcement. The fact is, while BIH has been in Receivership TTA have had a large degree of control themselves over the last few months. For me it’s all about maintaining a steady course – and hopefully being in a position come May to have surprised a few people. You never know.
Tags: Accounts, BIH, Gary Rowett, Panos Pavlakis, Positivity, Trillion Trophy Asia
62 Responses to “October Positivity”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
The club’s done well so far on the pitch, April I didn’t think we would be in this position but then I was basing that off that squad, since then we’ve gained a couple of cracking players and seem to have built on last year’s progress, some call it overachieving. The thing that I’m concerned about and maybe too soon to speculate over is that like you say almajir we’ve lost the least amount of games, compare us to Huddersfield and we’ve virtually the same goals scored and conceded yet they’re 5 points ahead! I would expect that on that situation to be a point or just 1 win in touch but 5 points is a lot and to me says we don’t have quite a cutting edge that other teams have, but stats don’t always tell the full story. I’m sure the two best teams are Norwich and Newcastle and they will most likely be that way at the end of the year, interested in how we do against them to gauge where we are, obviously we beat Norwich at home comprehensively but still need to play both fixtures. I think our last few home games with the final being against Huddersfield themselves may just be crucial in us securing anything this year and like we know the second half of the season is when you can tell if you’re in with the shout provided your still with the pack come Jan!
last minute goal conceded at Wigan was crucial
we may just need that bit of luck or something that gets us over the line in 8 months
What about our last minute goal? Swings and roundabouts.
Exactly what I said we may just be on the receiving end as well as dishing it out. The hard part is grinding out wins
Case of KRO
Although i agree nothing much is going to change (other than a few extra bob in January) surely there`ll be an announcement regarding future plans for the club particularly regarding investment?
I don’t think there will be one immediately; maybe something in the programme but I can’t see an announcement forthcoming tbf
I`m surprised by that and disappointed. This is a major event for our beloved club and i`d hoped there were going to be solid plans put forward to us. Even B6 fans have had a vision set out for them by their superb new owner. On reflection perhaps TTA should just keep schtum.
Unfortunately Bluey, although it’s a huge deal to us, it’s probably no big deal to TTA. It’s most likely just another working day to them.
I’d question how good Dr Tony has been or will be – a lot of owners come in, Carson Yeung included who promise the world only to realise that football is a lot harder than it appears. Be careful what you wish for.
Regards the accounts almajir I think we can only tell as the takeover unfolds and is completed SHOULD it happen (everything crossed it all works out) as I’ve seen so many let downs over the years I’ve learned not to hold my breath, so that will wait for now. Investment wise we may only require 1 or at most 2 heads to just freshen up if we lose players to injury or poor form which can happen during the mid point to business end of the season, not 5 or 6.
So Rowett is back to being a good manager again? Because after the Wolves game he was useless and after his starting line up against Preston he didn’t have a clue. Let’s just enjoy where we are and let Rowett keep doing his job. But at least keep perspective when we next lose a game because this is a tough league and when a couple of results don’t go our way that’s when we need to support our manager and not put the boot in.
On a side note I’ve already got prematch nerves for the Vile game. It’s obvious always got the hair standing up on the back of my neck but just thinking about the 30th makes me want to have a poo. KRO SOTV
Ditto. I was defending him all the way on here and ells where. I don’t want this to come across the wrong way But I said on here and ells where I expected us to do well I also said I expect the vile to strudel. I was not just saying it I beloved it. And I still do. Some People on here and ells have rejected anything I had to say and put me down told me I was talking rubbish. I’m not going to say to People I told you so as the know. KRO SOTV
I don`t think people are changing their minds on GR game by game as you suggest. It`s just that those who are pro-GR will come out when we win and his detractors do the same if we struggle. It`s the way it is.
I defend him even if we lose I did when we lost to wolves and I will continue to do so He is a brilliant manager a proper manager. He ant a God he cant win them all and thing take time but name one Manager in the Championship that could have dune a better job with the same recuses as he as dune. KRO SOTV
i criticise him but i dont say hes bad manager, I just think hes got room for improvement to becoming a seasoned manager, excuse pun. He needs to learn and grow if he wants to be a top manager.
He will never be 100% it’s just not possible What determines a Top Manager?. I think in any job in life there is no end to your learning even Arsene Wenger is learning new thing and he his close to retirement. But he still makes mistakes and learns from them. The only way to learn is by making mistakes. But we are all unman and will always make mistakes in till the day we die.
somebody who does learn from mistakes is a top manager. some manager seem to just stay in their own ways and are just good or average, nothing wrong with that but i think he’s a bit more aspirational than that
braggadocio
Takeover happens, we buy a couple of players in Jan, get promoted.
V***a go down.
Best summer ever.
Boom
I wont lie the precarious situation regarding the clubs finances worry me, so much so i make it a sort of rule to always buy a programme, beers and food at the ground and some club shop tat. I do it with the feeling of every little helps and im doing my bit. It might not equate to much in the grand scheme of things, and i know football isn’t everything, but i don’t know what id do without blues.
Long may this upward curve continue!
My feelings exactly John , I do the same mate , beers , food , merchandise , we spend a good few quid down the Blues as a family and with all the away games aswell it costs a pretty packet , but hey I would not change it for the world mate because it’s my hobby and my life outside of the working hours …and we do it all together as a family which a lot of fans tell me how very nice that is , ah ime all heart me ! KRO
The same for me as John and Dave though at nearly 67 years young my family is across the world however i go down with the same group of blue nose friends between us we have 300 years plus of total support and still bet mates we all share same the common goal and would not have it any other way unlike our enemies across the city who still think they have a divine God given right to success and come from a different planet to ourselves, all football fan are fickle but the Vile fans are the most fickle of all by miles.My life outside of work and family revolves round the Blues i do not care about any other club whatsoever ( except BCFC Ladies ) and as for our national team perhaps when the F.A realises we are a joke i will take the national team seriously currently more chance of me landing on the moon. As for enemies in claret and blue acroos the city this may upset some but if they went out of existence tomorrow i would celebrate i do not have any grey areas as far as they are concerned . KRO
Good on ya. There are only 3 Teams I care about 1Blues 2Bellford Rovers because I played for them from 1985 to 1997 3 BCFC Ladies.
Does not upset me mate , street party’s throughout small Heath and the real suburbs of Birmingham would breakout .. and propably the rest of the country aswell because on my travels over the last 40 years tells me that not many other fans respect or would lose any sleep over they’re demise . KRO
I have not always found reason to praise David Cotterill, but his performance yesterday was one of his finest. Cotterill is an example of a player with defined qualities and specific weaknesses. If he had eradicated his weaknesses he would be a top Premier League player. At going on 29 it is unlikely those weaknesses will be improved. Blues fans need to enjoy his dead ball and crossing skills and accept that his tackling will not emulate Robbos.
Cotterill was brilliant yesterday it as to be said.
Couple of other players played well yesterday who are regular targets for the boo boys and a few posters on here- Grounds and Gleeson. David Cotterill deserved MOTM but close behind him was Shotton.
Shotton was also brilliant he won 90% of headers and he would have been my second choice for MOTM if there was such a thing.
He was along with Gleeson and Fabbrini .. Three players most of us thought up to know would struggle to make our first eleven .. Our strenth in depth is what exited me . KRO
Sitting in Block 25 it is a joy seeing Cotterill in full flow in our second halfs. It certainly makes up for the views of sometimes uncomfortable first halves
I personally hope there is no big announcement. The ship is currently steady and the squad even without signings will get stronger and better. What would be nice is k owledge that should we lose an important player through injury then we would have the funds to replace.
Other than that, the announcement should be nothing more than we are here, we will support the manager and help the team progress!
We need to bask in this sunshine and there is every chance it will continue through the winter. Perhaps not founded but I am concerned about players being disgruntled by not getting game time, Fabrinni for one. However we have injuries that let other players in, Tesche for one. Also GR is doing some rotating.
Our least number of games lost is highly relevant amongst the top teams and we should be excited about that. It means that GR just needs to improve the goals scoring rate, which I think is now going to improve weekly
Some of the top six are going to fade soon. Likely Huddersfield and Bristol. Norwich did it last season. Let’s hope Blues dont.
The ownership is about to go into a honeymoon period, and if…..if we went up I dread to think what will happen to GR, the team spirit and the club that got us there.
Re. Ownership, we should be talking about the currently highlighted German model of fans owning 51% of the club and how do we to get there. Yes spend on a whole pie at the game, but let us, as the REAL owners, work on buying a slice of the actual club.
Can we do that? Could Dan go to Germany to get advice and knowledge as our rep?
Why leave it to Dan? Anyway where`s the millions of pounds coming from to finance buying `a slice` of the club? Nice thought but not going to happen.
Dan owns this popular blog and has the gumption to travel to Hong Kong on our behalf so it was a suggestion as an extension to that.
It is proven that fans can be owners so we should have ownership as our ultimate goal because we are the righful owners. We could be an owner if I bought a handful of shares for a start.
I Could be wrong but I don’t think that sort of thing would work in the English game supporters owning 51% of the club. We don’t get 3m gate income per match so where would the money come from to sing player where do all the fees come from.? And if it’s from whoever owns 49% why would the joint owner or owner of the other 49% want to be the one that pays for everything. What’s in it for them.?
I hope the new owners recognise that Panos has done a great job and that he is here to stay…kro
i dont think panos is the only man whos kept bcfc going though this time but i take your point
I think they do . KRO
As regards Cotterill and being not a great favourite of mine-I have to say that sitting in Block 28 his second half performance in all round play was almost a masterclass.
We’re doing fine as we are. No need to rock the boat with exorbitant transfer fees. There’s no doubt who has got the best value for money this summer between us and the aston villagers.
Blues Ladies has lost 1-0 aet to Man City Women in the final of the Conti Cup……No shame in that as like their male counterparts they have the money to get the best players.
Our ladies team need a goal scorer as although we sit fourth in the Women’s Super League a return of 10 goals in 14 games is not enough.
Unsung hero of the day…..David Davies. Thought he was MOTM. Glad GR took him off on 90mins so he could take a bow. Nice touch from the manager KRO
Good call Nobby. Davis put everything into that game. Always number one on the team sheet for me.
I think its pretty obvious how good dave davis is for the team
Definitely between Davis and Shotton for MOTM.
Hard fought win yesterday against Blackburn who seem to have more problems than we do what with their fans giving Coylel dogs abuse their well known hatred of their owners, the Venkeys. As Dan states we are sitting pretty at the moment going into the international break. On the other hand Villa fans must be tearing their hair out. Shame eh.kro
Vile sack di Matteo , very disappointed . KRO SOTV
Yeah thats bad timing for our show down. We dont need them to have the traditional new manager bounce. Lets hope they make another shocking appointment. At least they will have to shell out more money to get rid of Di Mateo.
Management merry go round already started. I’d be surprised if Rowett isn’t on the short-list at both the Ipro Stadium and Villa Park. Let’s hope we can hang on to him, don’t think he’d cross the Expressway but stranger things have happened….
Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce and Nigel Pearson all “available” – hopefully they’re further up the list than Rowett for both jobs! Must say it would be weird seeing Steve Bruce in the Villa dugout come October 30th…
dont think bruce would fancy it, maybe allardyce but more like pearson out of those
I’d be surprised if Pearson gets another job so quickly. There’s something in his makeup that has caused his last two owners to sack him under a cloud. I’m not sure anyone will take the chance so soon, if at all. Allardyce would be a good choice for them… so I hope they don’t get him. :)
Let’s hope it’s Pearson then :-) KRO
… or DiCanio. :))
please be steve mcclaren….
From what i’ve read i don’t think Pearson is to blame this time. The owner has been using drones to watch them train. As for Sam. If the FA charge and then find him guilty of bringing the game into disrepute,he could be in for a long ban.
GR has openly said he is happy with his lot and not interested in moving ..Yet, he also said we have new owners coming in and he doesn’t know whether they will retain his services or for how long, he does not have a crystal ball and can not rule out that in the future he will be at the helm of a different vessel, I have no reason to doubt or question him so I think for as long as he is wanted and needed he will be staying with us, I can see the Vile getting through at least another 5 managers, before we have to raise this topic again. Kro
I would recommend Lee Clark to be the next manager at B6.
He ticks all the boxes…..He is young…….Hard working…..Knows the area……Championship experience……English!
Would love to see that. Lol.
I expect they’ll be a statement issued by Panos on behalf of BIH which will say this is the start of a new era for BCFC and BIH are fully supportive of the Club’s plans to build a promotion-chasing team leading to a return to the Premier League and consolidatation when there.
Does Panos actually do paragraphs? I thought the odd tweet was his preferred communication vehicle. :))