Co-owner David Sullivan is hoping Birmingham get better value for money in the transfer market this summer compared to two years ago when they were in the same situation.
Then manager Steve Bruce brought Fabrice Muamba, Liam Ridgewell, Garry O`Connor, Franck Queudrue and Olivier Kapo to the club after securing promotion back in 2007. Stuart Parnaby, Daniel de Ridder and Richard Kingson were also brought in on free transfers while Wilson Palacios, Rafael Schmitz, Johan Djourou and Borja Oubina were attracted on loan.
Bruce spent in the region of £10million but Blues were relegated at the end of that season, with Sullivan openly criticising some of the players brought in.
McLeish has estimated in the region of eight new faces will arrive at St Andrew`s this time around and Sullivan, who says finances will be within budget but admits allowances could be made for a "special" player, is hoping the funds available will be spent wisely.
He told the Birmingham Mail: "That`s the danger really, how much do you really know about players when you are bringing them in for the Premier League, the ones who haven`t played there before? I would like players like the Lee Carsleys who have done it in the Premier League. You know what to expect off them. But I`m not saying they should all be old.
"The bottom line is that we are after better value. We`ve got to use our money very effectively this time. You have to make sure that you use what you`ve got wisely. Saying all that, I`m looking forward to the season with excitement and optimism. More so than last time."
Comment 1 - 2 of 2
I agree with you Michael on certain points. However I'd rather we survive as a club and not go the way of say Leeds who got too big for their boots and are now nowhere. I've supported Blues as long as you have so we've had the same ups and downs. I'd like to think we're bigger than a few clubs that are in the Premiership right now but I suppose every fan thinks the same about their club. Sullivan is right in what he's said if you ask me, and if you think back about the owners we've had in the past and then think about what our current owners have done for us then I'm sure you'll agree they've got the clubs best interests at heart. Splashing cash is not the way forward, getting value for money and backing the manager with his decisions will ultimately bring the results. They backed Steve Bruce til the Jeung takeover fiasco and we ended up relegated because of Jeung not giving the nod to Bruce getting the contract he deserved, look where Wigan are now with our old manager. They then ditched the takeover and backed the club 100% with their own money again. They have the commitment to us as they have proved over and over again, so lets see what happens in the transfer market this summer. KRO
if you dont spend big then its a 1n way tickit bk down..thay go on how big blues r, but when thay moan thay spent 2m.or 3m on a player whoopy wee; that the diff between us and mid table clubs... if thay dont want to splash the cash then thay shud'nt be at the club get some owner's that r passionate about r club..iv been a blue nose for 38 year and my old man 68y it about time we stared playing with the bigboy's as r club is big enuf and the fans deserve it..
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account