Often Partisan

Gossip Folks – Summer 2013 Edition Pt III

With most of Birmingham City’s transfer business being done early in the summer, the gossip pages have been relatively quiet with to the Blues. News of players going out has stopped since the sales of Nathan Redmond and Curtis Davies whilst  a trickle of trialists continue to be showing what they can do at Wast Hills.

The updated spreadsheet can be seen here. As you can see, there hasn’t been much news at all; with Scott Allan becoming the tenth new signing of the summer Blues have pretty much all but wrapped up their transfer dealings with only the rumoured loan of Shane Ferguson left to be done. However, there have been a few trialists who have impressed and the big question now is whether players like Adam McGurk and Liam Davis have done enough to earn contracts.

Sadly, there has been no news of any players going out which means it’s becoming increasingly likely Blues will be saddled with the high wages of Marlon King, Darren Ambrose, Hayden Mullins and Peter Lovenkrands. I think the lack of interest in King will surprise some people – he’s a proven finisher at this level with the goals tally to prove it – but it might that his age, injury record and off the field baggage might have counted against him.

Former Blues player Jake Jervis’ time at Elazigspor may be coming to an end with a potential move to second tier side Balikesirspor on the cards. Jervis has only played three times for Elazigspor, scoring once on his debut. Released centre back Graham Hutchison has been on trial at Luton Town but doesn’t seem to have done enough to have won a contract whilst Jack Deaman is on trial at Stevenage Borough who also boast former Blues player Robin Shroot on their books.

As always, please let me know if I’ve missed a story and I will add it to the list. I intend to update the spreadsheet next monday; however if it’s been as quiet as this week I will again leave it a fortnight.

 

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43 Responses to “Gossip Folks – Summer 2013 Edition Pt III”

  • Gav_bcfc says:

    Morning Dan,
    You heard anything about Foday Nabay leaving the
    Academy to join Fulham ?

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Unlike most people, I’m pleased Marlon King is still here. If our strikers fail to click, King could be our get-out-of-jail card. Looks like Lee Clark’s decision to let Jervis go was the right one (which I never doubted.)

    I hope Hutchinson and Deaman manage to get fixed up soon. Maybe Robin Shroot can have some influence there… he’s done very well at Stevenage since he left St Andrews.

    • Pete says:

      Bad choice of words with ‘get -out of- jail’ !!!

      I do think there is room for his ability next season mind.

    • Northern Exile says:

      I agree that it was unlikely Jervis was ever going to make it, but to be fair to him the reason he didn’t make many appearances for Elazığspor last season was down to injury. In those 3 appearances he managed to give them the lead against Fener – http://www.todayszaman.com/news-304674-yellow-canaries-also-hop-on-winless-bandwagon.html – so he must have hit the ground running. They have a new manager now so it would be my suspicion that injuries and lack of game time have led to him feeling the sidesweep of the new broom.

      Balıkesir have just been promoted to the second tier, but are based much closer to İstanbul and only just down the road from Bursa. Perhaps he’s looking to use the opportunity to become a first team regular to impress enough to get a move to Bursaspor or one of the many İstanbul clubs? It will be interesting to follow his career anyway, as so few English players seem to consider careers abroad.

  • Evesham blue says:

    The big question is whether Clark will sign McGurk. Looks to have impressed so far , is of the right profile and is versatile across the front. Not sure about the collapsed lung business last season tho?

    Doesn’t seem to have done him much harm in pre season! Question is are the trialists back up if we can’t get ferguson on loan? Or will we be unable to sign them anyway what with being unable to offload the freebies?

    Clark has already given up on Morrison with the signing of Allan it would appear.

    I like this strategy of signing the young and hungry players with potential from the lower divisions. Least hopefully one or two will pay off.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Tbh, I don’t think Lee Clark will make a decision on any trialists now until after the last pre-season game, which gives them another 2 games to maybe earn a contract. Imo, McGurk and especially Davis have maybe earned at least a 6 month deal and see how things go from there.

      I’m quite happy with the signing of Scott Allan, he ran us ragged for Pompey a couple of seasons ago. Very clever player. I’m not too bothered about Morrison tbh, although he has undoubted talent, he often flattered to deceive. I think that with Arthur, Shinnie and now Allan, we’re well covered in that area.

      I’m expecting a good season, of free-flowing football. It’s almost time for Mr Clark to decide the formation and personnel of his first XI for Watford. One thing’s for sure…. he’s never had so many options. KRO

    • Pete says:

      I think there is the world of difference from picking them up form lower divisions to picking up the players that were released by the lower divisions. I think essentially this shows everything. No problem with Clark for this, but I do not think it is much policy BUT only option.

    • Gav_bcfc says:

      Hearing Clarks interview with BluesTV about the trialists, don’t think
      he’s able to sign any of them yet.

  • Oldbluenose says:

    Scot Allen, would seem a good capture, !!.

    If Ferguson, cannot return to us on loan, — Davis, seemed a good alternative,?.

  • dave mann says:

    guys, weve got a jem in scott allan absoluetly top draw saturday against oxford
    first 11 all season long, ouzes class, cheers baggies for loaning him to us.KRO.

    • Pete says:

      Hope he is as good as you say. I never really take a lot of store in pre-season games. However, we seem to have a rather large compliment of the central attacking creative midfielder who can play behind the front players- Allen, Shinnie, Arthur, Ambrose, and Burke (if potentially playing in a midfield 3) along with Elliot, Adeymi, Reilly, Spector. I am of the mind Arthur might need to go on loan next season as I cant see him getting a look in.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I can’t, for one minute, see Koby Arthur going out on loan. I think he’s very much in Lee Clark’s plans. You rarely get a player who can play with both feet these days.

  • dave mann says:

    me and my son said after the game that the midfield 3 from what weve saw this pre season is
    allan, shinnie, adeyemi thats it we cant pick everyone from what weve got, upfront novak and
    green then your 2 wide backs and your 3 central defenders and randolph, that to me will
    challenge for the playoffs, trust me ive seen them all play and they are good enough, your
    be pleasently suprised. come on blues.KRO.

  • dave mann says:

    does the away shirt get unvailed today?. KRO.

    • glosblue says:

      Hope they ditch the pink this season!

      • StaffsBlue says:

        Me too. I can’t think for the life of me wtf black and pink have to do with Birmingham City? What’s wrong with white shirts and shorts, with blue trim for example? At least it follows tradition.

        Too many clubs use colours that have no association with their club colours. Maybe I’m just too old.

  • TracyKRO says:

    The away game at Shrewsbury Dave the away shirt, Im looking forward to see them Saturday, lets get behind Clark and players this season because what Clark done with NO HELP what so ever is unbelievable KRO

  • dave mann says:

    chris burke, as much as i rate him and would definetley play in a 4-4-2 system, will find
    it difficult to get one of the 3 midfield places in lees 3-5-2 system unless you play him
    as a wide back and that aint happening, allan, shinnie and adeyemi would as ive said
    earlier would be my 3, so were wait and see.KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Also Dave, I can’t see the need for wingers in the 3-5-2. I’d rather go 4-4-2, 4-5-3, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. I hope we use 3-5-2 sparingly. Definitely not a fan of it.

  • dave mann says:

    thats what ime saying, no wingers in a 3-5-2 so no burke.
    4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 is what suits wingers so if he sticks with
    it we will become the wingless wonders or the wingless
    whingers.
    hes got the players now to adapt to any of those systems
    so hes going to have to change it now and again for certain
    teams so lets be flexible and keep our opponents thinking of
    how and who were going to play, the element of suprise is
    in our own hands.KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      We certainly have the players to switch formations and tactics now, game-to-game… and even within a game. I like having all the options available, but to be honest, there’s no excitement for me in 3-5-2. But, I will reserve judgement and see how it goes.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Could be bad news for Akwasi Asante: http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20130722-loan-watch-935674.aspx Shame, because he needs the game time.

  • Tony says:

    Bertie Auld reckons we should play 2-3-5 with two wingers

  • Jonno says:

    Another one of our youngest been allowed to leave with little or no effort being made by Lee Clark. Why didn’t the club just say NO If he’s as good as the reports he should have been taken on the tour and involved with the pre season training even if he’s to young to appear in the first team. He should have been made to feel wanted.
    How long is it going to be before someone comes in for Koby Arthur and he’ll just be allowed to walk out the door for peanuts like Butland, Redmand, Naby and Clark will continue to sign 2nd division standard players like Ollie Lee.
    I think the team he put out at Oxford was an insult to the1000+ fans who’d paid min £10 to get in. Half the players weren’t good enough for the championship and what are we doing paying people £10/20K to sit at home. Marlon and Peter should be playing they are still are players.

    • almajir says:

      Eh?

      Clarky did EVERYTHING he could to try to get the lad to stay; virtually promising him first team football. Unfortunately the rules under EPPP are skewed in favour of bigger teams and there was nothing that the club could do when Fulham came calling but try to maximise the amount that they got for him.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Unbelievable!! Did you not read the article Jonno? There was bugger all he could do once the kid had made his mind up. The words *dazzled* and *bright lights* spring to mind. Until there are laws issued to stop bigger clubs from robbing smaller clubs, this will continue.

      At least Dick Turpin wore a mask!

  • Jonno says:

    Yes I read the article but I don’t believe Clark.
    Has I said if he is has good has they reckon, he’d have already been involved in our 1st squad then the kid would have perhaps felt wanted. You can’t call Fulham “dazzled and bright lights” and I wouldn’t class them in the big team bracket either.

  • JohnBond says:

    Koby Arthur will be gone in January if we are still owned by Carson and maybe Reily just goes to show they really are stripping every bit of talent we had got.. Will be a shame if we end up like Luton


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