Often Partisan

Over Caution

As another week passes without an addition to the Blues team – and with one potential addition falling through – it’s not hard to see an increase in antsiness among Blues fans. The failure to sign Rob Kiernan (regardless of the reason) has not helped levels of pessimism from fans worried that Blues might not be able to compete in the transfer market as much as hoped.

I know that there have been cries of desperation in some quarters for some times but when some of the people I think of as being level-headed start worrying, I think there may be legitimate cause for concern. While it’s true that the number of signings made at Championship level isn’t massively high right now I don’t think that means we shouldn’t worry at all.

I will repeat here and now my admiration for Rowett. As a player he was one of my favourites – I first had a season ticket in the 1999/2000 season and I remember being genuinely upset when Rowett left us for Leicester City. As a manager, he’s turned around a club from the pits of despair to one where it’s been a real pleasure to watch.

However, that doesn’t mean Rowett is immune from criticism and I worry that this transfer window is bringing to the fore a trait I’m not an admirer of – over-caution.

Back in April, in an interview with Radio WM Rowett said

“I’m not a manager who’d say I like working with a restricted budget, although it was the same at Burton where the budget never changed. Yes, it would be nice to go and spend some transfer fees, I think £30,000 is my record so far.”

What worries me is that presented with (some) money to spend, Rowett might be scared of making mistakes. Scared of spending money on a dud, or bringing in someone who isn’t the exact perfect candidate for the club. With Blues having a limited amount of funds, I can understand that mentality – but I think it’s wrong. Being scared of making a mistake can lead to the worst mistake of all – not doing anything.

I’m not saying Rowett should open the cheque book and sign the first player who turns up at Wast Hills with boots, a shirt and a desire to kick a ball but I think there comes a time when you have to weigh up the odds and decide to go for it even when you’re not sure. Obviously, I’m not privy to what is going on behind the scenes but as the fallout from the Kiernan deal (or lack thereof) continues to be published it does seem possible that there is more to it than a failed medical – and I wonder if Rowett has lost out on a player due to not pushing it over the line quick enough.

Hopefully, we’ll sort this situation out quickly. Hopefully, by the time next Sunday rolls around and I’m sat here trying to compose some thoughts for the week ahead, I’ll be thinking about what new players have been brought in and what they can do for us. However, I’ve been saying this “hopefully” line for the last few weeks and I’m tiring of it now. Mr Rowett – you showed us you can do the business with the team on the pitch. Now can you show us you can do the business bringing in new players so we can continue to do the business on the pitch please?

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87 Responses to “Over Caution”

  • StevieW says:

    Dan scare mongering and accusing GR of being scared to spend money, I think you might want review this again at the start of the season.

    There is still loads of time to do business. Have a holiday GR did.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I’m not so much worried, as disappointed that we haven’t made at least some inroads into strengthening the squad so far. Surely targets would have been identified weeks, maybe months ago? Surely the Gray and Arthur situations should have been resolved by now?

    There are 10 days until pre-season training starts, just over 3 weeks until the first friendly. Things aren’t worrying by any means, but surely someone should be getting their finger out!

  • rhees says:

    Fair post as always Dan but I feel were out the. Loop on this and there’s more going on behind the scenes and we will be in for a pleasant surprise
    This is my hope anyway

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    If nothing happens in the coming week I’d be concerned but at the moment I’m just surprised that nothing’s really happened

  • BluesBlues says:

    Garry does not do his transfer business in the papers or on the Internet. He will sign the players we want / need in plenty of time for the pre- season. It is no secret that he wants/ wanted to sign the three loan players from last season. One has failed a medical and the others are close to being signed or offers being rejected.

    Give the man a chance he has not let us down so far. He only wants a small squad of players that are fit and hungry to play for the blues, that is why it is so important that players do not have any fitness problems —- Quality not quantity KRO

    • chris says:

      one hasn’t failed a medical, noi one at BCFC has said that have they, only a insider?
      if he failed medical now how come he passed one for the loan ?

  • ChrisG says:

    What worries me at the moment is we haven’t yet signed a goalie, I know we’ve been linked with a few & considering we’ve let 2 go I thought we’d have at least signed one by now. Also according to reports we’d agreed £500,000 for Tecshe, but that was probably media talk again as that seems to have gone quiet as well

  • Macca21 says:

    Most Players contracts end July 1st. So I wouldn’t have expected much activity in June. I think we should be patient and see what next month brings . I’m sure there are good irons in the fire but they cannot be revealed yet.

    KRO

  • AJ says:

    Well I’m genuinely concerned especially what I was told about 3 coaches at junior level leaving, I won’t go into details on here but my source is 100 per cent genuine. I don’t think we have any money or at least very little, and players are slipping through rowetts fingers and signing for other clubs, kiernan,j Thomas and Scot Carson to name three. I’m not scaremongering but I feel unless we get new investment and some money can filter down to Gr, he will find it very hard to bring in the quality we need to push on.

  • Ken says:

    The Kiernan thing is surely a classic case of a player getting a better offer ffrom a former manager at a bigger club at the 11th hour? We all know there is no loyalty in football….plus end of the day, Kiernan is a £200k league 2 player…so let’s not get too carried away with all that. It’s also been documented that GR has said that he has been surprised to see the names of some of the players he has been linked with. The fact is that most of the players that Blues and most championship clubs can afford are really much of a muchness….and all managers have a list of potential targets so if one falls , they move on to the next one. The transfer window doesnt actually open til 1st of july so no-one can be signed til then anyway!

  • Blue Steve says:

    I am eager to see a few new places through the door but not just for the sake of it. Lee Clarke in his first season had a reasonable budget for wages and utterly wasted that budget on Hayden Mullins, Darren Ambrose and Peter Lovenkrands. If we are to improve the squad we need better quality than we have already got. As we no longer get 20k per week and have not got a huge budget for wages (I bet we can’t offer over 20k per week) this will be quite a tricky thing to do. Either GR will have to be an amazing salesman or we will have to wait for these players to run out of options and that won’t happen until the end of the window.

    • Ken says:

      likewise Blue Steve!

    • ChrisG says:

      The wage budget last season was an average £5000 a week per player that’s why we brought in lower league players & why we will probably be doing that again this season even if the repoerts are true that there will be more for wages this season. LC brought in the players you mentioned because they were experienced players who he thought could do a job, but THEY let him & the club down.

  • andy says:

    It isn’t just the lack of activity in regards to players coming in, another concern is the likes of Gray and Arthur not signing new contracts, surely this is a financial issue. Gray is still contracted for another year but it seems Koby Arthur is on the way out. I am sure the signings will come within the next couple of weeks, and lets hope a new keeper is amongst them!

  • Teerev says:

    Don’t understand the fuss! We all know we don’t have much money.Yes,we need a goalie and a couple of others,but i would sooner wait a few weeks rather than make a panic signing!
    The last thing i want to see is a load of random loans/frees coming in for the sake of numbers!

  • Mickey07 says:

    Rowett might be working “now” with one hand behind his back maybe we don’t have the money that panos said we have?

  • andy says:

    No Birmingham don’t have the money, where would the money come from now that they didn’t have last year?

  • Richard Granfield says:

    If Watford sign Diego Perotti (fee agreed) it means we have a better chance of getting Fabbrini as Perotti is an attacking midfielder.
    There has been implied and overt criticism of Tattum and Rowett because they haven’t informed fans of the players the club are hoping to sign. This criticism is misplaced imo as it would tip-off competitor clubs and be counter productive if the deal or deals failed to materialise.
    I am forecasting good news this week in terms of signings.

  • Ribeye says:

    I was just wondering how close to the start of the new 2006/07 season it was when a certain three players named Muamba, Larrson & Bendtner signed on season-long loans with Bruce describing the squad at the time as ‘a little thin’. It was 27th July. Not a bad season that one.

  • Tony says:

    Well Iam concerned, time is getting short and we have not signed anyone and it seems obvious the Kiernan thing is a bit of a mystery.
    If you take into account the number of players who have left, then we are very short , a side who finish midway in the championship should be able to attract players, the fact that we have not can only be due to lack of money.

  • andy says:

    Of course it is lack of money, the wage cap is £5,000 is it not?

    • almajir says:

      Well…

      Firstly, it was never a firm cap. We have signed players on more money than that in the last twelve months.

      Secondly, as per the club, there is more money to spend this season – ergo it stands to reason they are prepared to shell more out on wages.

    • BhamCityJulian says:

      Until a chunk of the Trillion £13m appears the wage cap might as well be nil

  • merseypete says:

    Back in the Gollivan days a lot off us used to moan about major signings being promised and then not materialising. GR seems to operate the other way round – rumours are minimal, and we’ll have to wait and see what he delivers. FAR too early to start complaining about him and demanding “answers”. Why can’t we just wait and see?

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    Don’t blame Gary and Panos for staying schtum, if that is the real reason.

  • andy says:

    That’s good to hear Dan, I knew the club pushed the boat out a little to secure Clayton Donaldson last year, so it is good to hear the boat is being pushed out that little bit more.

  • Walker says:

    Firstly posting negativity with still 3 weeks until pre season is laughable. We want to entice the missing fans back not give them more excuses not to support bcfc. Rowett is no mug and he knows we need some players before the season. Tesche & fabbrini would do me for starters but like kierman I bet they are looking at what else in on the table.
    If people didn’t sit on their back sides and pumped money into the club we wouldn’t be shopping for free transfers and players commanding what are small fees in football.

    People like to moan ie wrong players linked, 140 logo for this coming season. Next we will have the new kit moan. Too blue, too white, not traditional blah black blah.

    Can we try and just and be positive we are still afloat and didn’t get relegated a season ago. We have Rowett and a director who wants to succeed to embrace the mine and let’s not start sounding like the scum down the road.

    • almajir says:

      Hi Walker

      We want to entice the missing fans back not give them more excuses not to support bcfc.

      As much as OP gets a few hits, I don’t think I’m that influential in encouraging people to support the club or not. This is just a website written by a fan after all…

      • Walker says:

        I just think we all need to be positive. If in 2-3 weeks there aren’t an signings then we can worry a little in pavalakis and Rowett we trust!

        • almajir says:

          If we haven’t made a signing in 2-3 weeks it will be more than concerning as we’ll be starting pre-season training without a regular keeper.

  • Hillfield Blues says:

    The success of Tesche,Fabrini and Kiernan as loaneees made them clear targets for GR this summer,especially because there was no risk involved.They worked.
    What’s concerning is that having ballsed up the deal for one of them already,surely you would have expected us to have attempted to sign one of the others by now.Its starting to look like we are unable to compete in the transfer market at a level that is gong to make us better next season.

  • I personally am gutted ,we needed to get players in early to house them get them settled mentally, and to find other players strengths on the pitch , if we buy them late it could take us 9or10 games to gel ,

  • KRO says:

    I was reading on another rumour site that Middlesbrough want Clayton Donaldson for £750k hope it’s not true but if it is knowing blues they will probably sell him.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Stop panicking…. Everything’s really cool and under control .. The bookies have us 50/1 to win the league and to finish 18th in the league…. START PANICKING??? .. Nah not me! Kro

  • waycoolblue says:

    What is all panic about GR as his targets in place I believe most deals are sorted. He and the club are keeping it out of the press because there is money to spend and the wage budget as been increased. If the players GR wants Clubs know we have money the fees go up. trust in GR .

  • Mitchell says:

    As the new business week starts it is worth a thought as to where we are at in terms of challenging for next season. Our current status even with Tesche,Fabrinni,Foderingham and perhaps keeping Gray would realistically put us at mid table. Dilemma is regarding Gray. If he were to be sold for say minimum £6/7m.and GR given the lot to sign players for a real GO at promotion-what would you do?. Who knows what the outcome will be, but this dilemma must surely be active with Clubs making daily advances for Gray. IMO the selling of Gray ONLY with the intention of perusing promotion would make sense. I could well take missing a few mazy runs on the wing for exchange for 1-0 win in a gritty winter away game at say Middlesbrough or QPR.

    • AJ says:

      Imo we didn’t sell Gray because panos knew very little of that money would be invested in the team, and why are youngsters like Gray and koby refusing to sign new contracts?

  • Dave Mann says:

    We finished last season with Three 1-0 wins and that’s is much better than loosing three games in a row 4-3 and getting 0 points instead of 9 so results Mitchell are as you say paramount to performances and I would take that all season … Tesche and Fabbrini for Gray ? I would take that next season also as I’ve said many times Gray for me is a good player but not consistent enough . Kro

  • Rob Wildey says:

    Wasn’t there a time we all slagged off Clark for making too many signings too soon?

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I don’t think anyone is panicking at this point, but it is a little irksome that we haven’t landed a single transfer target yet. I would have expected a goalkeeper at the very least by now.

  • DaveP says:

    The players don’t return to Wast Hills for another couple of weeks so it’s not like we have to worry about squad cohesion and integration at the moment anyway. Patience being a virtue and all that, I expect we’ll hear something by the end of the week as it’s not the Blues way (not since Barry fry anyway) to announce anything until the deal is done. Karren Brady learnt that the hard way.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Like buses staffs were wait ages for one signing and then three will come along at once and I think that will be the case this time , Tesche, Fabbrini and a goalkeeper and we’re feel a lot more comfortable I think . Kro

  • JeffHallsClock says:

    Procrastination is the word you are all looking for!!
    However, I suggest with £30k being GR’s previous record purchase he is being cautious and calculated.
    For once it appears to me that we now have a PROFESSIONAL outfit worthy of our trust. albeit they’re only able to work within a prescribed budget.
    For once, be patient and trust E&Y, Panos & GR
    Heads up, Smile and Stuff the Vile
    KRO

  • Gaz says:

    Get a grip…its JUNE!

  • Mineheadblue says:

    I don’t think that the article is scaremongering. I think that Dan has summed up the worries of many fans, myself included.
    The more time that passes before we sign someone is something of concern. Of course we shouldn’t do a Clark and sign someone for the sake of it but having finished the season on a high, people naturally want to see progress maintained.
    For me, it’s worrying when the only activity seems to be around the potential sale of another of our promising Academy graduates. What happened to our goalkeeping replacement? Apparently there are a number of good keepers available! What happened about the Tesche bid?
    I really hope to see some progress soon….but the more time passes the more worried people are going to get.

    • Dave Mann says:

      To be fair to Clark mineheadblue he did not just go out and sign anybody because the players he brought in we’re good players and we’ve still got a few of them in the team now so a bit harsh if I may say so. Kro

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I agree Dave. I was quite happy with most of the signings last year. Most worked out, some didn’t. Same as everywhere else.

        Grounds 45 starts, Donaldson 44, Cotterill 42, Davis 37, Gleeson 34. Add Randolph 45, Caddis 44 and Robinson 30 to those and you have the nucleus of last season’s team. If the signings weren’t that good, they wouldn’t have played as many games as they did… even after Rowett came in.

  • Matt castle says:

    Have faith in gr, am sure he knows what he is doing. If you book them they will come KRO

  • Walker says:

    Ive just read we are favourites to sign Paul Anderson from ipswich now. Now forgive me if I am wrong but this is the same guy linked weeks ago who said I dont want to play for any club other than ipswich. So for me it shows he is committed to bcfc. So its thanks but no thanks!!!

    Id rather have a youth player who gives everything for the badge

  • Bluenosesol says:

    I saw something about GR working on his budget whilst sitting on the beach. This would imply he knows what he has to work with. If so, I trust the guy. Sit tight for another 3 weeks and his intentions will play out. Bought our 4 season tickets last week, the club have been fantastic. My sis missed last season due to cancer treatment and the club blocked her seat and gave her a renewal discount for this season. Everything to look forward to and cant wait. KRO!

  • Dave Mann says:

    If all Blues fans were as committed and up for the fight as much as your sister Bluenosesol then we would all be the envy of fans everywhere .. Let’s hope we have the season we hope for !! Kro

    • Bluenosesol says:

      She sure is thanks Dave, my 82 year old mother is also a cancer survivor and she has renewed again! She wont be bleating about negative observations, she’s just happy to be around to roar on the Blues! KRO!

  • Mineheadblue says:

    Fair point Dave, some of the players Clark brought in have turned out to be really useful additions’ although not all. Also there was a leaning towards quantity (and then there’s Neal Eardley).
    :-)

    • StaffsBlue says:

      To be fair, until he joined us, Eardley had always been a decent full back. I think too many injuries in a short space of time did for him. I can’t see anything much above non-league for him now tbh.

  • Dave Mann says:

    And Rowett had Lloyd Dyer so we’re call it quits . Kro

  • jonno11blue says:

    I attend, including preseason friendlies, all the matches which is approx. 55 a season and renewed my within the first few days. However, it is quite clear from the continual comment on the website that many season ticket holders haven’t renewed. If the club wish to encourage fans to purchase season tickets, hence bringing funds in, the club needs to show it is progressing by signing 2/3 players this week. I see we have been linked with yet another 2 goal keepers today, Rowett should have had a goalkeeper lined up, as it was know for months Randolph wasn’t resigning and as for not getting Gray and Arthur to sign new contracts, just shows how unambitious Panos is.

    • Walker says:

      Having grown up a blue nose and been to allot of games over the years home and away I must say the last few years since Wembley blues fans have disappointed me a little. We seem to moan about everything that can be moaned at. No player signings, club logo, ticket prices etc. granted I was 1 who moaned about Clark because I felt he held the club back for his time in charge.

      We now have an exciting new manager and yet there seems to be moans already. He hasn’t done anything wrong apart from wait for the right player to improve the squad.

      I think he had doubts about the Swindon keeper so he is waiting before jumping into something he may regret. My guess is forest want somebody to replace tesche first and also tesche wants bigger wages which were triggered by his extra year extension at forest.

      Be patient and let’s not becoming moaning vile fans

  • Dave Mann says:

    Agree with every word Walker, some fans aren’t happy unless they have something to moan about… It’s still a couple of weeks before pre season training so it doesent matter that we haven’t signed anybody yet because they wouldn’t have joined up with the rest of the squad yet anyway until the end of the month … If we have no one signed by then then yes we will have our work cut out but let’s stop panicking and worrying over nothing because at the moment we have nothing to worry about ! Kro

  • Mitchell says:

    Need help in clearing up confusion regarding Koby Arthur. Reports today suggest Ipswich And Brentford fighting it out to sign him. Both clubs state he is a free agent. My recollections is that he still has a years contract left. Is he a free agent please?.

  • Tony E says:

    I believe his contract expires this summer, but because of his age we will be entitled to compensation.

  • We need to sell gray and all insist with venom for the money to be spent on new players , it is eight transfer windows now since C day, now is the time to go for gold ….COME ON BLUENOSES,…..kro.

  • Mitchell says:

    Notice Bournemouth now back in for Gray. Perhaps a sentence or two from GR would be nice. Not heard a single word from him since season end. Makes fans a little twitchy as to whether we should be looking forward to the season. Silence can be quite harmful.GR has always been ‘Chatty’, but this length of time without comment is strange.

    • Hillfield Blues says:

      Surely Bournemouth should be using their money to buy players that are going to keep them up as opposed to raw 18 yr olds that can be inconsistent especially in the Prem.

  • Shirley Blue says:

    Let’s be realistic here. We can probably only afford minimal transfer fees and the players that can be purchased for what we can afford are unlikely to be any better than what we have already got. The players that are out of contract will wait and see to see who is going to offer them the best deal so nobody will be throwing themselves at us at this stage. My guess is he will bring in two or three permanently before the end of August and also use what budget he has to bring in the best he can via the loan system. That is where we are most likely to get Tesche and Fabbrini because they are probably each worth around the £1m mark and we can’t afford that. It is frustrating but like GR we are going to have to be patient.

  • Many of the players that have not signed new contracts have done so to better their careers , if blues don’t offer them a good wage then they are going to take it as a insult , I would like to have three players of tesches class than gray . but all Gray’s money must go for players , we don’t want loan players at this early stage as we need more permenant players to survive more than one season in the prem so if we buy three, come January if we are in the top six a couple of top loanees could get us promotion …kro

  • Shirley Blue says:

    We are nowhere near good enough to get in the Premiership and won’t be until we get new owners who are prepared to invest a lot of money to improve the squad. The best we can hope for next season is where we finished last season. Some people seem to be living in a fantasy world.

  • brett james says:

    I actually think that deals will be done at the start of july, if blues are paying more on wages then why pay them in june and have an extra months salary to pay. Rumours are rumours thats all but deals have been set up already in readiness for july. I agree with shirleyblue, its all about making progress still until the ownership is sorted and to beat last years achievements will be a tall order

    • BhamCityJulian says:

      If the deals are completed they can be announced. In the final days to ST renewals of there are any announcements that could be made I’d expect this to be the ideal week

  • Captain Blues says:

    I do trust Rowett but it is concerning we do not even have a recognised goalkeeper – let us hope there is a plethora of activity in the coming weeks.


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