Often Partisan

Transfer review

Well the window finally clanged shut at 11pm; Sky Sports News collectively orgasmed at three huge deals wrapped up in the last few moments, and up and down the country fans are breathing with relief that it’s all done. Here in Birmingham, it’s not been too bad a window for us on the Blue half of the city.

I said before the whole circus started that it wasn’t about how much money we spent; it was more about who we got in that would show the board’s ambition; I said at the time that two loans would be acceptable if they a) strengthened the right areas of the team, and b) were of a sufficient calibre to make fans sit up and take notice. I believe that on that, the board have delivered.

I’ve seen David Bentley twice in a Birmingham City shirt already, and I think we’ve got a good deal there. It’s obvious he’s hungry to prove himself as a footballer; it’s also painfully obvious that he’s a class above most players we currently have within the side. Against our neighbours from across the expressway he showed some delightful control of the ball that enabled him to  get away from defenders, coupled with some clever and instinctive runs that had their fullbacks worried. Against Coventry, he showed just what he can do when he has his shooting boots on by unleashing a thirty yard thunderbolt that had Kieron Westwood beaten all ends up. Yes, he is cup-tied for Wembley but I think Mr Bentley will be a good player to help us beat the drop in the league.

His fellow loanee, Nigerian striker Obafemi Akinwumni Martins was a bit of a signing from leftfield; I don’t think many Blues fans had thought that the Rubin Kazan striker would want to come to us, but it seems the board have worked their magic and not only do we have the pleasure of the African’s striking ability for the next six months, but also a £5mil fee agreed should we wish to make it permanent. For a player who signed for the Tatarstan side six months ago for about triple that, it could well be a bargain of a deal. I accept that Martins is a bit of an enigma; inconsistent, and not much of a team player – but he is a flamboyant goalscorer; the kind of player who conjures up goals out of nowhere and exactly the kind of player we are desperately in need of. If he can give the same sort of impact that Chucho did, I’m sure he’ll be a hit down St Andrews.

Throw in the permanent signing of Curtis Davies from the Villa, and it’s been a very successful window indeed. With Scott Dann out for the season now, cover for the centreback slot has been a priority and with the signing of the former England u21 international it means that Ridgewell can continue in his new found glory at left back. Whilst Martin Jiranek seems a very assured player at centre back, his contract is up in the summer and he is seen as maybe a stop gap rather than a long term player in the Royal Blue. Having Curtis means we are continuing to build the spine of the team, and providing the club stays up, we should be in a very healthy state come the summer.

So well done to the board. I asked for some quality, and it’s been delivered. Down to the players now to take us to glory in league and cup. I’m really looking forwards to the second half of the season.

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