Often Partisan

Bartley and Burn in?

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.

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122 Responses to “Bartley and Burn in?”

  • Masaccio says:

    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.

    • geraldsquires says:

      Sought after by whom mmmmmm? The dog and duck?

      • Masaccio says:

        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….

        • StaffsBlue says:

          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.

          • geraldsquires says:

            Wrong so wrong, he still didn’t have a clue what he was doing, remember wolves at home mmmmm?

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Remember Palace away mmmmm?

          • geraldsquires says:

            And I can name soooo many more games where he just didn’t have a clue young man solo many more

          • StaffsBlue says:

            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!

          • chas says:

            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.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I thought my comments were reasonable… but point taken.

          • geraldsquires says:

            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

          • mark says:

            staffsblue- they were last season imo

        • Ali Duncan says:

          Why the multiple m at the end of the sentence? Am I missing something or just being simple?

          • StaffsBlue says:

            No, it’s not you that’s simple. Almajir asked the same thing yesterday.

          • chas says:

            Fair play, Staffs, but I wasn’t just on about you.. Also, why don’t you get a ‘reply’ after your posts ?

          • almajir says:

            Because (as has been discussed before), you can only have a certain level of “nesting” of replies

  • StaffsBlue says:

    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.

    • almajir says:

      Jonathan Spector, Hayden Mullins, Tom Adeyemi, Callum Reilly to name four.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        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.

      • Kaje says:

        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.

        • StaffsBlue says:

          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.

          • stephen says:

            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.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Tbh, if Ferguson comes back, I think we’ll have better options all over the pitch this season.

  • Asif ashiq says:

    Didnt we have rob hall from west ham last year? Heard he has gone to wigan on free transfer.

  • TracyKRO says:

    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

  • TracyKRO says:

    yes every away game I said its only cup games

  • dave mann says:

    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.

  • TracyKRO says:

    Dan and guys look at tom ross facebook page

  • darren says:

    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

  • dave mann says:

    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.

  • TracyKRO says:

    yes Dan ive read it :-)

  • SteveC says:

    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

  • Ali Duncan says:

    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.

    • AL-LAD says:

      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.

      • Ali Duncan says:

        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.

        • StaffsBlue says:

          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.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I’ll be interested to see who starts in goal against Watford!

  • dave mann says:

    sounds good to me ali duncanKRO.

  • dave mann says:

    doyle and randolph will be given equal opportunitys in the pre season so it will come from
    the most impressive to be honest.KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      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.

  • dave mann says:

    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.

  • dave mann says:

    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.

  • SteveC says:

    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.

  • dave mann says:

    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.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    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.

  • dave mann says:

    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.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      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!

      • Masaccio says:

        He seems to know where the goals is.

      • Ali Duncan says:

        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.

      • KeepRightcroydOn says:

        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.

        • Oldbluenose says:

          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, !!.

      • mark says:

        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

  • StaffsBlue says:

    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.

    • Chris Smith says:

      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.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    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.

  • quokkasskip says:

    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.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      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.

    • AL-LAD says:

      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.

  • dave mann says:

    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.

  • chas says:

    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..

  • Mac67 says:

    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

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Photo of Kyle Bartley in Blues training kit having signed on loan via twitter.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Why do all new signings refer to our massive fanbase? Did their grandads tell them? lol

    • mark says:

      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

  • Tony says:

    I hope hes not a striker or we are in trouble, his record is 3 goals in 70 odd games.

  • Knowle Blues says:

    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.

  • mark says:

    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??

  • mark says:

    i think this magnificent work by Clark to get two strong, tall, paces defenders who will hopefully shore up the defense………………….

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I flipping hope not! That really would be scraping the barrel.

      • mark says:

        agreed there mate…..once tried should left lone imo….unless Clark got other ideas?

        • StaffsBlue says:

          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!

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Wide left…. sorry, new glasses… old brain. I meant wide left and left back.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            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.

          • mark says:

            my probably with this player he’s 33 like you say would he still have the desire and application my opinion is no………….

          • StaffsBlue says:

            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.

  • chas says:

    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

  • dave mann says:

    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.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      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!

    • mark says:

      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

    • StaffsBlue says:

      How about:

      Randolph

      Eardley
      Bartley
      Robinson
      Hancox

      Burke
      Adeyemi
      Reilly
      Shinnie
      Arthur

      Green
      Novak

      I like to be different.

      • almajir says:

        Twelve players is certainly different

        • StaffsBlue says:

          Oh bugger. I meant to put Green/Novak (one or t’other)

          • mark says:

            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………….

          • mark says:

            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

          • StaffsBlue says:

            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.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Sorry mark, didn’t we tell you….. he’s painting the top of the stand, because we had to sell the ladder. =)

          • mark says:

            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…………

  • mark says:

    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…………

  • dave mann says:

    £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

  • mark says:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcNC-bOOtWA some players still have class at the age 35 what a third goal……..

  • mark says:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92nnJf5yLbk happy days they will return the rise of the blueboys

  • dave mann says:

    its only about £20 to whatch the real madrid in the bernabeau, and £60 here to whatch the
    third string, robbing gits.KRO.

  • TracyKRO says:

    Weve got green guys blues web site

  • dave mann says:

    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.

  • mark says:

    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……


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