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Looking Forwards
It’s been unnaturally quiet around St Andrews this weekend, with the international break ensuring that stories about the club are thin on the ground. It’s given me some time for reflection about the season and what has happened on and off the pitch; and time to think about what could be a very busy April.
I think I’ve run the gamut of emotions this season; stark depression about the state of the club after the Barnsley debacle; anger after the Watford defeat but also hope in the comeback in the Derby game and the advance of the young players in the team. Off the pitch it’s been a tale of conjecture, of speculation and of downright wondering what the hell is going on. One thing I can certainly say is that it hasn’t been boring.
Off the pitch, the circus restarts this week with two court appearances for Carson Yeung. The first (on Monday) is a procedural matter; however the focus will be on Tuesday’s appearance as Carson (and his team of lawyers) fight to have the trial moved to the high court. Whilst I can imagine that many will feel the same way as myself and will be hoping that the case will be thrown out of court I don’t think that is the way it will pan out. From speaking to legal contacts within the former colony the feeling is that there will be delay – hopefully one of only a couple of months but it’s not hard to foresee a much longer one as has happened in previous cases.
I suppose the big question is if it will cause a delay in the prospective sale of the club and the honest answer to that from myself is that I just don’t know. I think that there is a question if the order against Carson’s assets will preclude a sale of the club as it materially affects the value of his assets and even though I have now seen the charge order for myself in full, I couldn’t tell you if he will be allowed to sell or not.
There is also the prospective release of the interim accounts up to December 2012 this week, which will bring BIH completely up to date. I will admit to being intrigued by these accounts, as they will have more recent information than anything that we have received from the club, as they cover a period after the latest BCFC accounts. However, I suspect we will not learn that much from them; interim accounts are not required to be audited and as such I would think that they will contain the bare minimum of information that BIH can release.
On the pitch Blues return to action on Good Friday against Crystal Palace (which will be on Sky Sports 1) before the visit of Wolves on Bank Holiday Monday. The way the table looks now one would think that a win against Wolves should virtually secure Blues’ spot in the Championship next year and potentially could push our canine rivals back into the relegation mixer. There’s been good news that Jonathan Spector and Mitchell Hancox should be available for selection; the American midfielder had to miss international duty against Costa Rica due to his ankle knock but having seen footage of the game that might well have been a blessing in disguise.
With all the stuff that has happened this season it seems amazing that Blues could well be set for a midtable finish and potentially a couple of dead rubbers to finish the season with. As much as I hoped for more at the start of the season I will say now that a midtable finish won’t be the failure I thought it would have been back in August. 2013 has been a better year for Blues already with progress on and off the pitch – hopefully the remainder of the season will continue in that vein and we can finish it feeling happier and more secure in our future.
Tags: Accounts, Carson Yeung, The Future, The Trial
49 Responses to “Looking Forwards”
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It certainly hasnt been a dull season I agre with you there!
Unfortunately I think for me and many others it will be our last for a few seasons
It has been very dull on the pitch this season.. #KRO Like watching paint dry most of the time.
don’t agree with that at all. typical sweeping generalistion without looking at the games
Last season for a few years? That isn’t the answer…the club needs as many fans down there as we can…crowds this year have been a disgrace and that’s not aimed at people who can’t afford to go down…it’s aimed at the many thousands of which I know a few that chose not too…a clubs for life not just through the good times! The one silver lining of this whole season has to be the academy prospects that have come through and by the looks of it there’s plenty more in the background that maybe ready to step up soon…in that sense there’s a bright light at the end of this dark tunnel that we are all passing through
This season hasn’t been dull but it certainly hasn’t been very enjoyable to watch.Circumstances off the pitch mask what at times has been a shambles on it.I think after 26 years as a season ticket holder this season has been the most frustrating thanks mainly to the off field saga and Clarks naive style of management.Whether i and many others renew mt season ticket will be dictated by whether Pannu and the hairdresser are gone or not.
Bingo, and theres next seasons excuse for Tony!
I don’t think Tony needs an excuse its all about personal choice.
As for Clark I have to laugh at those who claim Clark is loyal to the club and Houghton is a traitor.
Just watch how loyal Clark and many of the out of contract players are if they get a better offer at the end of the season.
Rats leaving a sinking ship?
Not sure how I feel about this season. I think this partly comes from how well we did last under CH and the level of expectation I had at the start. I really had high hopes back in August and was feeling the most positive I have had been in a long time but events both on and off the pitch have turned this firstly to anger and then to a resigned acceptance that an opportunity to mount a promotion challenge has been missed. Sadly, I for one have found it as dull as a cross between a TV soap and A
a Big Brother rerun – the never ending court case, the delays in the accounts, the non-takeover events, ……, zzzzzzzz!! I must admit, that with the exception of this site, I stopped looking round for Blues news as it tended to be just a re-hash of the same old non-stories. I would guess from the reduced level of postings on some websites that maybe I’m not the only person with these feelings; people have lost interest and the longer this state remains, the worse it is for the club.
If there was any light at the end of the tunnel we could do with it now. Mr. Nursey (in his tweets) has almost assured from his sources that a sale is inevitable. Almajir – In your opinion, pure speculation, fabrication or a hint of truth. It’s been almost 12 months since PP made a statement (Blackpool playoffs) saying he advised CY to sell up and although a slow process he has published accounts for BCFC and almost up to date for BIHL. KRO
hopefully new owners in the summer and then the question – do they change manager ??
i must admit clark has grown on me in recent weeks – he is a young manager still learning.
whatever we are blues and we will be back – there will always be joys and sorrows too !!
Hopefully to all them so-call and ex blues fans who wish to nail their season ticket to the st.Andrew Post carry on YOUR PROTEST is futile. Trying reading blues history for once ,when you have the time, there has alway been joys and sorrows. If you cannot stick it just walk away………into the sunset…I am glad Dan you appear to accept that mid-table was the best the team, and clark could hope for under these extreme conditions we are under. Unfortunate some of the fans did not take a leave out of your book. Again Clark has done well like sutton apex he is a young manager still learning his trade at this level, and need time to grow in status. I will be at the Woves games instead going on Friday, and Monday should be least 20-25000 with keep right on to end of the road ringing around the ground…..and we wish to give those dringles a big sent off.kro
Hear Hear Mark!
BORED!!! same old comments different day from a certain few just give it a rest!! your comments (barring your mid-table comment) have nothing at all to do with the article!
my comment was looking forward to the summer, change manager blah blah- whats your view pele on the future ??
Sutton apologies my comment was not directed at you but certain others…… personally I think this saga will stretch on for a while, the pessimist in me thinks that the status quo will remain until administration occurs and we will be picked up by someone then…. I just cant see Carson getting the terms he wants to sell the club . Either that or as previously suggested by others he will ‘sell’ the club but remain in the background still pulling the strings like in the newspaper he once had controlling interest in (Sing Pao? correct me if im wrong).
As far as LC is concerned he’s a young guy who is having to learn fast in extremely awkward circumstances, the potential seems to be there put can we afford another season of him learning ‘on the job’? I think he’ll still be here for next season and hopefully can build a decent young squad……… It’ll be the making or breaking of us……….. LC has been growing on me in recent months but I remain to be convinced he has the ability to build a whole new competitive squad on little to no budget, especially as at Huddersfield he had a significant budget and couldn’t engineer promotion.
As far as CY is concerned, if I were in his shoes (& thank god i’m not) I would want this court case sorted sooner rather than later. I think I would have had a heart attack by now with all the delays!!!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-steve-watson-says-1944010 by Colin Tattum
[comment edited – DO NOT COPY/PASTE WHOLE ARTICLES BY OTHER WRITERS INTO A COMMENT – PLEASE POST A LINK]
Happy to do next time, point taken mate cheers
Lee Clark is obviously not the best manager in the business, but for those who have been calling for his head — be careful what you wish for.
We are, quite rightly, a club in a bit of a tight situation financially, and the last thing we need is more turmoil with the club looking for someone who is crazy enough to take us on and then for that person needing time to settle in.
So I am right behind Lee Clark right now. All I can say is, Lee: if you’re reading this, you’ve made mistakes but make sure you learn from them. That’s all one can hope for surely.
What did Churchill say? Er, quick check on the Internet:
“You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her. She was meant to be wooed and won by youth.”
“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.”
“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.”
how about ‘success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.’
Actually, Churchill said “Oh yes!”
I for one have no real affinity with Clark,and was really hacked off the way he hung zig out to dry ,but changing managers every 5 mins is a recipe for disaster.look at the dingles/Coventry and vile.we need stability to regroup and at least have someone who accepts the crap we are in.as for you lot not getting season tickets don’t forget we support 11 men on pitch.For gods sake lets not go back to 80s.with new owners ,bit of wonga and that lot getting the big R things may be looking a bit better come August.
Roll on the end of season, for those who are not going to renew there ST goodbye and farewell.
To the rest of us, we march on forever loyal to the end.
As for Mr Nursey he doesn’t know shit, the blokes a t-at.
Two tough games coming up let’s hope for a win and nail the coffin on the dogs.
Although I have doubted Clark at times, lets not forget the massive and difficult job he took on at Blues.He may have made mistakes, hey! he is a young manager learning his trade.He gets my full credit and support for the way he handled the Fahey situation and at last we have a manager who is busting a gut for the club and and not using us as a stepping stone for pastures new.KRO Til the end!
Do you genuinely believe that given the opportunity to move to a better job that Clark would be loyal to the Blues?
I Think what is really interesting in the last few days ,is the Curtis Davies statement that looking at the squad with its additions and exits at the start of the season they should have at least equalled last seasons achievements.
This seems to add weight to my own and others feelins that we have underachieved , you may argue the reason for this ,but Mr Clark looms large in the picture indeed Davies seems to confirm this.
Correct and Daviies like many other players will show his loyalty by walking away at the end of the season.
Correct, like all those fans who are going to show loyalty by not renewing ST
You and Tony are a right pair of hypocrites.
Laurel n Hardy stand aside, here comes Art n Tony
I thought Churchill said “when you’re going through he’ll keep walking”
Was meant to say HELL,haven’t quite mastered predictive text.
Mark your Passionate defence of Clark and his coaching team is admirable if naive Dont you think vested interest applies here? Watson has a good job he relies on his mate for that job.
[commend edited – No breaking of Godwins Law here, keep your hyperbole to a minimum]
Can we keep Hitler parallels out of this please? There is no comparison.
Seconded – no need to break Godwin’s Law on this site.
What I’ve personally struggled with is the home form. Away form and results have on the whole been very pleasing under Clark. Home games the team often seen frightened playing at home, don’t often seen up for it and only Bristol City comes to mind where they came right out of the traps going for the jugular. Appreciated that it’s no fun playing in a half full stadium with a lot of negativity but it’s the managers job to motivate the side and get the tactics right regardless. I feel at home, on countless occasions that just hasn’t happened this season and we’re more often than not chasing the game.
Agreed about stability. Look at the madness at Blackburn. We don’t need that along with our financial problems so I believe at the moment Lee is the man for the job and he has my full backing.
Bringing through the kids, the Keith Fahey situation and some very good away performances have made me warm to him and I think he could continue to bring the club stability whilst his hands are tied.
The way Clark has gone about things is disgraceful and unprofessional! The reason for Fahey going on leave is supposedly a secret but if it was public knowledge Clark would be joining the dole queue! I have heard other stories about Clark from people at the club which pretty much sum up the reasons for some of our performances this season, and like the majority of the players, can’t wait to see the back of him! KRO..
You’ve heard some stories – doesn’t mean that they are true though. For example, there are lots of rumours going around about Fahey going on leave which are not true – including I suspect the reason that you are saying is “public knowledge”.
Well done Dave another reason to despise some of our so called fans!
Under the circumstance’s with the financial problems we have had, the injuries to player and the media trying there hardest when the transfer window was open to unsettle players and the players themselves not knowing if they would remain or be sold with the financial problems we had, that where we are in the table is ok really. Let’s look at somethings here……other teams have strengthened since last season when we cannot say we have really strengthened our squad. Ok we got some loans in but I would not say that there the quality we expect at St Andrews but with no money that is all we can do. I must admit I hated Lee Clark earlier on in the season but you have to look at the circumstances he is working under. In the circumstances our club is at at the moment a top half finish is not that bad of a season. I would be interested to see what Lee Clark would be able to do with a bit of money and bringing in the actual players he wants himself instead of having to dabble in loans. it is his first season at this Level and hopefully he will grow into a good manager.
With the bit of money he did have he brought Ambrose and Mullins.enough said?
Im with marc, and as stated before, the manager has been working all season with his hands tied behind his back. Im not a Zigic fan and thought he did well to spike him up a bit, and hes done pretty well with the youngsters.
Now to state the obvious …..he doesn’t have millons to spend and the players who will come to St Andrews wont be looking for a top wage, so it has to be the young and hungry who want to show what they can do.
Which is where we are !
I certainly wasnt grumbling when Blues signed Mullins and Ambrose, the only ones to blame for their no show this season are the players themselves, though Ambrose has had an injury problem. I cannot wait until the summer when Lee Clark looks to rebuild the squad around the current crop of young talent at the club. Lets hope new investment or ownership is found to stave off any worry of selling the clubs future as was done with Butland.
Lee clarke has done as well as any manager would have done in a difficult situation like this.Give him a chance and see what he does in the summer i expect good things next year because i believe he is better than most of you give him credit for.
If CY is only the major shareholder within the BIHL; how can that stop the sale of the company? Surely it would be the BIHL board that would sanction the sale of which CY and PP are only a part.
Could a judge stop the sale on this basis?
The question is would the sale of the club materially affect his assets (the shareholding in the holding company) and would that be enough for the HK judiciary to put the block on it?
Whether the value is in cash following sales or in share value as a part of BIHL I would have thought the value is the same whether locked in the company or released as cash.
I agree that a mid-table finish would be a success for us this season. It’s been a battle of instability and insanity, both off the pitch and on it. I doubt we will see any consistent fortune on the pitch without us being sold to a new owner(s) who are prepared to invest wisely. That could mean, at this rate, next season could be quite similar to this one though. I think it’s those amongst us who have already accepted what our next seasons team sheet will look like, with a dose of realism ..that will have the blessing of less stress and panic.
Onwards and upwards! Let’s hope we can grab a couple more wins in the matches to come.
Almajir I do of course bow to your editorial judment, could you say however if the phrase Fox to guard a Henhouse would have been acceptable?
All he ever does is bring down this site
One big nause and obviously Vile
Have a look at the players who have under performed as well eh? Some not been able to handle the pressure this season after everyone was happy clappy last season. As for Hughton he messed up in the play off big time and couldn’t wait to leave.