It has been reported by the Birmingham Mail that Kyle Bartley and Dan Burn are due to sign today on season long loan deals from Swansea and Fulham respectively. Bartley, 22, is formerly of Arsenal and has had two loan periods each at Sheffield United and Rangers before signing for Swansea last year whilst Burn, 21, spent last season on loan at Yeovil scoring the playoff final goal that took them up to the Championship.
The signing of Bartley and Burn will help fill the problematic centre-half position at Blues, who currently only have converted left-back Paul Robinson of the senior players to play in the role alongside rookies Will Packwood and James Fry. Bartley, who only made two league appearances for Swansea after signing for the south Wales side from Arsenal will be itching to prove himself whilst Burn, who made thirty-four league appearances for Yeovil Town will be relishing the chance to play at a higher level.
The most obvious thing to me is that Clark has gone for youth, pace and height in his new defensive options. Blues had lost two of their tallest players in Curtis Davies (6ft 2) and Pablo Ibanez (6ft 3.5) and barring Nikola Zigic lined up as one of the smaller teams in the Championship. With Bartley (6ft 3) and Burn (6ft 6) Blues should have a much taller defence – something that is important bearing in mind that of the remaining defenders with first team experience, only Will Packwood is taller than 6 foot.
It strikes me that Clark is massively going for youth this term; with money being tight at St Andrews I think it’s obvious that Blues are not going to be in the market for players who are the finished article; it’s either going to be young and raw or old and experienced and I suspect after the lack of success with some of the more experienced names last season Clark has decided to go down the youthful route.
Whilst it’s true that it could go both ways and Blues could be caught cold by a lack of real experience over the season if they play too many youngsters I think that it’s a positive mood; there was a definite shift in the dynamism in the team when more of the youngsters came through last season and I think the fans are more likely to cut younger players a bit of slack – something that I think will be needed this year as I think it will be a tough one for the club.
It’s also positive that it looks like Clark has been able to sort out one of the real problems before pre-season has started; with these two in I think Blues are no more than maybe a left midfielder away from a complete first team picture and maybe a couple of youthful backups from a full squad. For all the off-the-field worries Lee Clark has gone about his business without moaning and in consequence the team looks a lot healthier than I thought it would at this point.
Blues are also reportedly in the hunt for Matt Green, who is out of contract from Mansfield Town of the Conference. Green, 26, scored 27 goals in 46 games for the Stags as they won the Conference title and has been offered a contract by Blues according to the Birmingham Mail, which he is expected to sign. Green will make it a septet of strikers along with King, Lovenkrands, Zigic, Novak, Asante and Hales and thus I wonder if Blues will indeed move on King and/or Lovenkrands in the coming month.
Tags: Dan Burn, Kyle Bartley, Matt Green
If we get these two and Matt Green the picture is very rosy. Pacy defenders playing for blues? Outrageous. My only worry is that Lee Clark might be a sought after manager during the season.
Sought after by whom mmmmmm? The dog and duck?
Looking at the second half of last season, all the stuff he’s had to put up with from the board, I think he did a great job, a team with money and ambition would look at him….
I think all those Clark dissenters are going to look pretty silly by the end of the season. Wonder if they’ll have the crown jewels to come on and admit they were wrong? Unlikely.
Wrong so wrong, he still didn’t have a clue what he was doing, remember wolves at home mmmmm?
Remember Palace away mmmmm?
And I can name soooo many more games where he just didn’t have a clue young man solo many more
Everyone at the club was getting to grips early on… but from Xmas on, there was only the odd blip. Give the guy a break will ya!
Wouldn’t it be better to let the water flow under the bridge and stop these childish comments about Clark, for or against ? Last season has finished, look forward to next Season , the petty arguments are not needed.
I thought my comments were reasonable… but point taken.
Chas are you saying what can be debated and what can’t mmmmmm? My opinion on clark is based on last season and overall it was bloody awful
staffsblue- they were last season imo
Why the multiple m at the end of the sentence? Am I missing something or just being simple?
No, it’s not you that’s simple. Almajir asked the same thing yesterday.
Fair play, Staffs, but I wasn’t just on about you.. Also, why don’t you get a ‘reply’ after your posts ?
Because (as has been discussed before), you can only have a certain level of “nesting” of replies
I’m very happy with the squad so far. As you stated, the left side of midfield has to be the priority now, although, I’m still wondering if we’ll be playing with a defensive midfielder and, if so, who will fill that role. After the way were were cut apart through the middle last year, that area must be toughened up.
If we are playing with wide men this season, I do hope they at least try to beat the man in front of them and get behind them… unlike last season, when at the first sign of opposition, we banged the ball up for Zigic. The most dangerous ball in football, is the one pulled back from the by-line.
Overall, happy and confident for the new season.
Jonathan Spector, Hayden Mullins, Tom Adeyemi, Callum Reilly to name four.
I mentioned Reilly and Adeyemi in respect of that role in the last article. Mullins and Spector I don’t think are suited to that job tbh.
Isn’t Mullins one of the players told he can go? I’ve never been particularly impressed by him and would much rather he wasn’t here much longer! Spector and Reilly are good shouts, although I’m led to believe Adeyemi is more a ‘box to box’ midfielder but with more emphasis on attack.
If he manages to stay past this season, I can see Reilly being groomed as our “midfield general.” He can pick a pass, he can shoot (although needs improvememnt,) and at his own admission, he loves a tackle. That’s all you want from a centre midfielder in my book. Another season and he’ll be a permanent fixture imo.
Ferguson hopefully in on loan for the left side with Coby Arthur as cover (can play left and right) and then you have Hancox who can do a job on the left also but will cover left back until Murphy is fully fit.
Tbh, if Ferguson comes back, I think we’ll have better options all over the pitch this season.
Didnt we have rob hall from west ham last year? Heard he has gone to wigan on free transfer.
That would be Bolton Asif.
Im happy how quickly Clark gone about things, we just got be with Clark and players, We got to try and not hit out after a few matches as well, this is going to be a hard season and im willing to support them all the way through. Dan ive got a question I have to settle with someone, do blues receive % of away games thankyou. KRO
You mean the away gate reciepts?
Only in the cup.
yes every away game I said its only cup games
if we get bartley burn green and mccort weve pretty much covered all areas because adeyemi
is a deffencive midfield player who can play that holding role so young lee knows what hes
doing, trust in him.KRO.
Dan and guys look at tom ross facebook page
Tracy – see my conversation with Tom on twitter ;)
What do you think of the situation Al? Could Tom be right or is he being mislead?
I summed up what I thought here previously.
inexperience will tell, these players are stepping up from non league to the championship, not going to happen, its going to be a long old season..
Im not renewing, not giving the owners any more of my money, i wont be taken for a fool.
i will pick the away games also so i can see my team without giving pannu my cash
the away games are better supported by blues fans than the home games, but not renewing
thats your perogative darren and were not sure where our moneys goimg, but these young
chaps will need massive home support to give them that confidence to step up to the plate
so to speak,KRO.
yes Dan ive read it :-)
Lee Clark is doing an amazing job given the fact that he has no money to spend.
As stated previously, he is going to be a much sought after manager before long.
comment edited – you can’t make those kind of insinuations
Same as last season Lee has conducted excellent per-season business. I don’t fear a total team of rookies I would always expect(subject to a chronic loss of form) the Captain to start so I think it will be either or Bartley / Burn paired with Robbo. When you consider it will probably be Murph and Eardley at full back that is, hopefully, a pleasing back line.
I understand that Green is lightening quick and if he signs could be a real impact player off the bench when legs are tired.
Fair play for Clark for showing class in the way he conducts himself. Others wouldn’t have shown such decorum.
I think, if he stays, Ambrose might have a bigger part to play thank people think. Ive watched him many times at Palace and if he is given a roving position behind a front two or even a lone striker he can do some serious damage.
You never know, this could just be our season if we start well. The standard in the division is crap and I don’t see why we can’t push for the play-offs. Getting very excited. Bring on the 3rd August,good weather, cold beers and hopefully 3 points to start us off well.
KRO.
Burn & Bartley will go straight in as our central defensive pairing, i’d expect Robbo to play on the left, as Murphy isn’t expected to be fit for the start of the season, with Eardley on the right and Randolph in goal, these guys will need to be given time to gel. I’d say Spector will likely play as a holding midfielder, in order to provide further experience.
I’m not so sure. I think Mitch might well retain his spot on the left until Murph comes back. Good to have strength in depth all the same.
Have to agree with that. Hancox is the man in possession of the left back spot. Murphy shouldn’t just walk back into the team. Hancox deserves to be challenged for the place, not have it taken off him. Murphy is a good player, but we’ve only had one full season out of him.
I’ll be interested to see who starts in goal against Watford!
A goalkeeper hopefully!
Laugh? I almost did.
sounds good to me ali duncanKRO.
doyle and randolph will be given equal opportunitys in the pre season so it will come from
the most impressive to be honest.KRO.
In my mind, I can only ever see Doyle as a No.2. That’s maybe because that’s what he’s always been (apart from the odd season.) We all know what Doyle can and can’t do.. looking forward to seeing Randolph.
i would prefer randolph to staffs because unfortunetley we do know about doyle, and except for
a couple of cup games against the dingles hes not a no 1 so randolph for me mate.KRO.
I’ve posted this link before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNKubEPRvk8
He seems very alert and aware of what’s around him. Good shot-stopper too. And the thing that really clinches it for me… he’s not afraid to wear pink. lol
i bet he looks”pretty in pink”, but if he can keep as many cleen sheets has he did in the SPL
he will do for me. lol. KRO.
Think colin Doyle is a top class keeper and has been very unlucky so far in his Blues career, having keepers like Hart, Foster and Butland in front of him, he’d have been number one at most other Championship teams.
WE will have less ‘butterflies’ also on crosses this season with col in goal.
sorry steveC but got to dissagree. doyles bin out on loan many times at lower than championship
level and been sent back every time, hes got the physiqoe bot not the quality.
we would have more than butterflies to worry about if doyle was no1.KRO.
Sky News reporting that Matt Green will have a Medical at Blues tomorrow. For all the fans asking “Where are the goals coming from if King goes”?……Green might be the answer…..Check him out on Youtube.
fingers crossed for the new marlon king then, we will have a lot of players who aernt that
familiar to other championship teams so the element of supprise might just work in our
favour. cant wait to go up to alfreton on saturday, warm sunny and well lubricated.KRO.
Save you all the trouble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQf5OWy8aOg
With Green’s pace and power and the pace of Asante, we could frighten the life out of Championship defences this season. You can see where Clark is heading with all these signings. Youth, pace and power. Bring it (KRO) on!
He seems to know where the goals is.
Has anyone mentioned that he can use both feet ?
Some absolutely atrocious defending on there but this bloke has an awesome first touch and looking at how calm and confident he is from the spot it wouldn’t shock me if he made the big step up well.
Thanks StaffsBlue. From this montage looks like he has pace, good positional sense, a goal scorer’s instinct and two good feet. Also he’s not afraid to get into the hurly burly in the 6 yd box. Caveat is that he won’t be given so much time and space in the Championship. Fingers crossed he’ll be a success once he adjusts to the step up in class.
There is only one Kevin Philps, –BUT, — This guy has the same positional insticts, ?.
I agree he will not have so much space given to him in the Champ’s, He shows no fear though about being in the box amongst them, !!.
shows that he is a complete forward plays off both feet, score with his head, once he left the opposing defenders for dead its in the back of the net. to top it all off takes his penalty’s with such a element of show vote love it………………..can he trouble championship defenders why not……………..imo
Like all risks, it could go either way. But I think Clark has bought well this summer. I think he may have got a bit dazzled by “big” names last season, with Lovenkrands, Ambrose and Mullins (all ex-premier players.) He’s learned his lesson there and learned it well I think. Good luck to all the new signings.
I haven’t renewed but that is to do with work and finances. My dad has, wen he can’t go he’s said I can. It’s a shame because I can see some awesome positives from lc doing these purchases. It’s like looking at the Olympic style of squad setup. I just hope he gets the mix right on the day and injuries aren’t a problem.
Regarding Green’s step up in class, when Mansfield played Liverpool in last season’s FA Cup, Green played very well and scored Mansfield’s goal (against a PL defence) in a 1-2 loss.
yes, we are signing young players, but are they actually any good??
None of them have proven themselves at Championship level, I think people are getting carried away.
One point no-one has mentioned is that Clarks judgement of a player is not great. How many of his signings last summer turned out to be any good?! The decent ones, ie Ferguson, maybe Morrison, Hall, we cannot afford and are not bringing in players at the same level!
I am excited by a young team but it is going to be a long hard season in my book.
Fair point quokkasskip. But it’s going to be a young, fresh and exciting squad. Lee Clark’s squad… and he’ll now be judged on that. If we had the same personnel as last season, I don’t think I’d be looking forward to the new season half as much.
Most down to earth comment on here, people’s vision has become somewhat clouded. Yes Clark has signed youth, and some interesting players, but they don’t have Championship experience, i still think Clark will field the more experienced players more often than not this season, i expect Robinson, Spector, Burke, Elliott, Zigic to all start and both Eardley and Novak know the division.
lee will get the credit or the stick for what happens on the pitch even though hes had to work
with nothing because its now is team and i will be praying he gets it right, but i am also looking
forward more to this season than last because besides our status weve nothing else to loose
hopefully.KRO.
Dan, thanks for the answer..I didn’t realize that(but I wouldn’t, would I :-) ) You live and learn every day..,and in my case, forget loads every day as well..
Ref Matt Green, wouldnt it be great if a certain Kevin Phillips, who still aint signed a new contract at Palace were to be given a striker coaching/player role to help all the young forwards in their development in this young set up.
Just a thought, but probably a too costly one for us.
I can dream
He reckons that he’s had a very tempting offer from a Championship side. Wish that was us.
Or Boltons Kevin Davis – available on a free.
Photo of Kyle Bartley in Blues training kit having signed on loan via twitter.
Yup… his page is live on here too…
Why do all new signings refer to our massive fanbase? Did their grandads tell them? lol
i believe we have a magnificent fanbase but a times last year they demonstrate how fickle they can become , it good pr by the new signing to say this, hopefully the fans who turn their back… will decide to put their money where their mouth is……..or continue to keep their their money firmly around their ankles…………lol
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/8802412/Transfer-news-Birmingham-have-taken-former-Oxford-defender-Liam-Davis-on-trial
Any truth in this one I wonder?
Left back /Left Winger..
Left back/Left-sided centre back apprently.
Davis? Nah, left winger cum left back who can play just behind the striker too.
Makes you wonder if Lee Clark isn’t too confident about getting Fergie back.
Or if like me he would like cover – 2 players for each position?
I hope hes not a striker or we are in trouble, his record is 3 goals in 70 odd games.
The clue is in the link Tony lol
Great work by Clarke to assemble a young hungry squad so early. Together with Matt Green – powerful, pacey, targetman. Plus 4 loan players we could be the suprize champ package – just need to get off to a winner run and keep the confidence high! Well done LC.
obviously with our first friendly coming up on Saturday against Alfreton Town it will be interesting how Clark sets up for this match. Will he attempt to give all his players opportunity try out tactic , and formation??? , or start to bed his 11 players?? will he play 451 system as it away from home??
i think this magnificent work by Clark to get two strong, tall, paces defenders who will hopefully shore up the defense………………….
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-transfer-update-latest-4861856? Julian gray well !
I flipping hope not! That really would be scraping the barrel.
agreed there mate…..once tried should left lone imo….unless Clark got other ideas?
If I remember correctly… he can play wide right and left back when needed. Blimey… that would be a come down, from Ferguson to Gray!
Wide left…. sorry, new glasses… old brain. I meant wide left and left back.
The thing I remember most about Gray, was that he was a lazy blighter. He had the skill, but not the application. You never knew which Gray would turn up.
my probably with this player he’s 33 like you say would he still have the desire and application my opinion is no………….
He never had the desire before imo. He could have been a good player. He showed all the promise of a Nathan Redmond when he was at Palace.
Just a by-note about the close of the transfer window, in case anyone didn’t notice it..
Clubs will have an extra two days to complete their summer business with the window closing at 2300 BST on Monday, 2 September
randolph
eardley
bartley
burn
hancox
robinson
shinnie
adeyemi
riley
green
asante.
5-3-2 or 3-5-2 lets get some goals on saturday against alfreton, ill be there cant wait.KRO.
I’m wondering if he will play 3-5-2 this season. It’s basically playing with a sweeper. I wasn’t a great fan of that formation the last time it did the rounds!
Dave – question on Saturday will Clark be expansive with his team selection…………like your team selection my opinion may he go with 451 followed 4411 that’s why we all love football we could all be managers lol
How about:
Randolph
Eardley
Bartley
Robinson
Hancox
Burke
Adeyemi
Reilly
Shinnie
Arthur
Green
Novak
I like to be different.
Twelve players is certainly different
Oh bugger. I meant to put Green/Novak (one or t’other)
can we play 13 see if anyone notice maybe play with two goalkeepers lol again nice team selection, I am really puzzle by fans if they can get excited by a new and vibrant team with further more additions to follow………….
just as after thought both yourself and Dave in your team selection both did not pick Ziggy how strange………….he must be on subs bench lol
Most people might not agree… but I think the squad is already younger, stronger, fitter and faster than last year. And there might be one or two more to come yet. Well I for one am excited about the new season.
Sorry mark, didn’t we tell you….. he’s painting the top of the stand, because we had to sell the ladder. =)
oh that’s why he’s not on the bench, looking at some of photo’s on the links, its good see him putting a training shift in, he’s on 5 x the rest of the other players, so he should be sweating buckets imo…………
http://www.tiredandweary.co.uk/2013/07/03/another-example-of-football-losing-touch-with-reality/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=another-example Has the working class man been pushed out of football ???? tickets prices for a friendly is absolute joke imo……..in this present financial climate…………
I read that yesterday. If anyone is daft enough to pay it, more fool them. I wouldn’t pay that for any game, let alone a friendly.
£10 for alfreton is pricey but thats what the home supporters are paying aswell.
bournmouth are charging £60 for there friendly against some team called real madrid
or something like that.KRO
I wonder if there’s a Pretend Madrid?
staffsblue – bloody expensive for a pretend Madrid…………….lol
That’s ok mark… I’d pay them with Monopoly money. ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcNC-bOOtWA some players still have class at the age 35 what a third goal……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92nnJf5yLbk happy days they will return the rise of the blueboys
its only about £20 to whatch the real madrid in the bernabeau, and £60 here to whatch the
third string, robbing gits.KRO.
yeah but their stadium bigger lol
Weve got green guys blues web site
just read it , good news lets hope he scores the goals that the last two seasons have brought.
i was thinking are villareal the real vile or the crap from aston.KRO.
… and Burn too. Happy days!
Aston Vanilla, the team everybody licks!
exciting again two players in burns and green this really good management by Clark bereaving away in the background……………i think that’s now eight players in……….pressure in every position can only be good……