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Fab and the Don
Birmingham City have been the centre of two transfer-related stories in the last couple of days, one concerning the possibility of Diego Fabbrini returning on loan and the other regarding the possible exit of Clayton Donaldson.
I’m intrigued by the story of the possible arrival of Fabbrini. In honesty, with the arrival of new Watford boss Quique Flores I assumed that he would want to take a look at the Italian and that would be that – especially as Fabbrini went on Watford’s pre-season tour. But now it seems that Flores is ready to let the Italian go back out on loan and sources online are saying he’s coming back to B9.
I can’t comment on whether he will come back or not because I don’t honestly know – I’ve not heard anything to say he will but that means nothing realistically. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did come back – he made a good impression on Blues while he was at St Andrews and lord knows we need some additional creativity in the number 10 slot but I also wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t – due to the fact that for all those nice touches and space he created, there was zero end product; no assists, no goals.
Having seen some Blues fans get on the back of players for being “lazy” before (even when they weren’t), I do wonder how long it would be before those same hecklers tired of the Italian’s more theatrical falls to the ground, or flicks that didn’t quite come off – especially if Blues went into a poor spell. Nice flicks and tricks are great when you’re seven unbeaten but if you’re needing to grind out a first win in five and your number 10 loses the ball while trying out for Soccer AM’s showboat feature… well, I do wonder. Maybe I’m being cynical.
One thing I’m not going to be cynical about is the departure of Clayton Donaldson from Blues. I know there has been rumours about Clayton wanting out, not being happy about bids being rejected but I don’t think they are necessarily true. The club obviously aren’t commenting but the vibe I’ve got from my own sources is that there is some stirring of the brown stuff from someone and that maybe rumours are being put out there that aren’t 100% based in fact. What that person hopes to achieve by those rumours God only knows, but I think personally it’s not conducive to helping Blues’ situation.
For a while I did think that Clayton might leave us but the longer it’s dragged on the more I think it’s not going to; mainly because Blues seem quite happy to stick to their guns about not taking any old money for a player and it would be easier for Clayton to sit it out for twelve months and then move on for a Bosman. Time will tell I guess.
On a side note one story that slipped through the net was that Jerry Ko has been released without bail terms with respect to the misappropriated funds that went missing from BIH. Whether that is linked to the lawsuits relating to Carson and Asia Rays I don’t know and couldn’t answer.
Tags: Clayton Donaldson, Diego Fabbrini, Jerry Ko
72 Responses to “Fab and the Don”
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Fabbrini .. Well let’s say that Duggary on his day was unplayable and he was also lazy about getting back and helping out the team but we forgave him because he was the most gifted player with a football we’ve ever had .. Blues fans remember also that when he signed permanently he wasent quite as great but we loved him anyway because he kept us up with is goals at the end of the 2002/3 season . ..Fabbrini as played a handful of games for us and he was quality in my eyes so getting him back for me would be absolutely brilliant .. Blues fans appreciate quality players and do accept that now and again they don’t pull there weight but I would have him back no danger because he puts bums on seats and at the moment St .Andrews needs that now!! .. Bring it on I say! Kro
Whilst I agree that Dugarry was a fantastic player, you could count on the fingers of a villa fans hands the really good games he had.
You are, I presume, to young to have seen Francis and Worthington. Both far better players than Dugarry.
On the main topic, interesting that Dan hints at some naughty stuff going on. Hopefully all will settle now we are into pre-season games.
Ime 53 and I said he’s the best player with a football I’ve seem at blues .. Don’t patronise me please it’s not worth it ! Kro
I’m 37 and Dugarry isn’t the best player I’ve seen…
I said best player on the ball Dan not best player!! Kro
The recently and sadly deceased Dennis Thwaites was pretty good on the ball too. R.I.P.
Well Dan I am considerably older than 37 and I have to say Duggary was the best player with the ball at his feet I have seen in Blues shirt, I agree with Dave.he could do things I had never seen before or since
Thats not to say he was the best player Blues have ever had that would be Francis, he was the more effective player with out doubt, the most entertaining player was Frank Worthington,he was abig man but so skilful and unpredictable a joy to watch
Regarding Fabbrini I dont understand this assist stuff that just means he passed the ball to the guy who scores he could have orchestrated the move all through but because he never made the final pass he gets no credit.the term Assist is meaningless and shouldnt be used
Not too sure how Mark Ward deserves mention in the company of the names above
Who was the best player you have seen for Bkues Dan?.
Best player with the ball at his feet? Forssell.
Mikael Forssell was consistently good with the ball at his feet, it used to stick to him like glue – there are some goals he scored where he had no right to weave between defenders with the ball in such a fashion. I know he practiced hard at being a “foot ninja” and it showed.
Forsell’s goal I will never forget was in the FA Cup against Sunderland I think it was, absolutely class footwork and a finish. It led to 1 local radio doing a humorous song called “Mikeal Forsell, but don’t you just know it”
I’ve seen Trevor and Frank play many times and without dout more times than you considering I go most games home and away since 1972!’!!’ .. Trevor our greatest ever player but Duggary our most gifted footballer .. Do you understand ? Kro
I’m surprised José Dominguez hasn’t had a shout – if were talking about pure skill on the ball.
I remember Francis, Worthington, Forssell and Dugarry, and accept they all produced a better end product, however not sure any of them were as skilful on the ball as the little fellow. The crowd use to be on there feet every time he got the ball in the opponents half.
I take the point about ‘end product’ while Fabbrini was with us but I think that really tricky, skilful players can actually create space and opportunities for other players to score simply because they occupy and terrify defenders. You need your players to pick up on that and feed off it but I think we have those in the team who could capitalise.
And I agree that there is something of the Duggary about him!!
I don’t believe Don can leave on a Bosman at the end of next season, I’m sure the contract has a one year option in the clubs favour.
Re: Fabrinni. I agree with you but Gary’s seen those issues too so if he brings him in he thinks he knows how to address them
Re: Donaldson. The novelty of being a Leeds player will rub off very quickly and he’ll be left playing for an unstable club and a more unstable owner. It’s not beyond possibility that he gets a new contract offer from BCFC, following what Panos has said about securing ‘the spine’. Trillion’s money coming in useful again.
Fabbrini reminds me of a latter day Jose Dominguez. Fabbrini though will be 25 later this month so is more mature than Jose was.
Players like Jose and Diego will always be popular with Blues fans, because they can do things that get you out of your seat and cheering. Fans will forgive minor failings if they produce moments of magic.
I believe a “Number 10” player is more of a priority than a holding midfielder as we have already players who can fulfil that role.
SIGN HIM UP!
Indeed. Fabbrini came in as an upgrade to Shinnie who was ineffective against the better opposition when he is pressured.
I’ve also read (can’t remember where) that Blues also have a one year option on Clayton Donaldson’s contract. Worth checking out and if so why would we agree to offers anyway?
Absolutely love to see Fabbrini back. Surprised you’re not keen Dan bcs for me he can be the creative catalyst player we need. Take your point about not being the man to rely on when you’re on a tricky run but GR can judge that and use him appropriately. he has that ability to create space and make himself available and that will create space for the likes of dimmi, Cotterill and hopefully Donaldson. I’m confident he!ll stay. Last season was the high spot of his career and I can’t see why he wouldn’t want to hang around.
Bring back Fabbrini and tesche at blues now!!! because Tesche and fabbrini is very good skill brain, passed ball too and read game on pitch around
Raw is Jerry Ko!
Fabbrini – In a Millwall shirt, he destroyed us almost single handily. Our midfield were chasing shadows.
Everyone at that Millwall game was talking about him.
What he did, and does is pulls defenders and midfielders out of position; hence the defending teams shape is affected. His team mates can then exploit the gaps that appear.
I would love to see him back.
Sometimes certain players are just a good fit for certain clubs or managers and having had both Fabrini and Tesche for the backend of last season,this proved to be the case. Having the added luxury of trying before buying has taken out the gamble element and both should be brought in on loan or otherwise at all costs.
I would love to see Fabbrini back again. I want to be entertained irrespective of results and he is certainly capable of doing that. As for Donaldson I would be disappointed if he left….but not totally surprised. He, like some other players, has already demonstrated that he is willing to move to improve himself…that after all is how we signed him.
Leeds and Reading isn’t going to improve him it would just make him more money ….
Mark Ward & Dugarry passed a ball with finesse.
Blue lizard, hes 31 and doesent want improving he wants more money .. Make sense ?? Kro
Agree hes after the dosh
errrrr?isn’t that what I inferred? Makes sense?
I am sure if Donaldson was moping about GR would move him on and take the 2 million, we certainly don’t want a player at this club who wants a move. I imagine Panos is including Donaldson amongst new contract offers, we just have to wait and see. On Fabbrini, I think he has been offered back to Blues and I would love to see him back and for the record, I was too young to appreciate the likes of Francis and Worthington, therefore, Dugarry was the best player I have ever witnessed at Birmingham.
PBloody hell Tony your agreeing with me to much tonight me old mucka .. So Dans best player is????? .. Since 1978 is???? .. Kevin Dillion, Simon sturridge, Ricky otto, kink kenny Cunningham , Steven Carr, David Dunn, Robbie savage, stan Lazaridis, Walter pandiani, jose Dominguez, Paul Devlin , Jonathan hunt , Mickel forssell,.,,, or .,, Carlos costly!!!!! Kro
Yea Dave thay dont really stack up lol
It saddens me to read the comments regarding Fabbrini.We are clutching at straws here-ok he is a nice touch player with a few silky skills but let’s not get carried away. He came into an over performing team last season and put a smile on faces already secure from relegation threats. He came in at the right time, so goals from him were not expected. This season will be vastly different in a tough league. I may be wrong but I don’t see a queue of clubs battling it out for him. I would be more impressed if Reading or Leeds were knocking but I can’t see it. GR must have big doubts and this is where perhaps he is cautious about a possible blunder.Give me Shinnie any day on a winters trip to Leeds,Middlesbrough,Sheff.Wed etc. It’s ok saying that he is an extra flair player to bring on but we cannot afford that luxury at present. To me a gamble just not stacking up.
“Over performing team”? Is that not a little insulting to the players and also Rowett and his coaching staff?
I think you will find Mitchell that GR is trying to sign Fabbrini
A few on here agreed that Fabbrini was the best player on the pitch when we played Watford and by a country mile. I for one would love to see him back again. As for the guy who was under suspicion for nicking our dough, he would have a formidable defence in the Walls of Jerry Ko.
KRO!
I’ll get my coat……
Fabbrini is class and would help the likes of Arthur and Gray or Cotterill get on the ball a lot more with the space he will create. A lot of people think he is a luxury but in my opinion he is exactly what blues need, a creative no. 10. No he won’t track back but that isn’t the role of a no.10 in my eyes so that wouldn’t bother me. As for Donaldson 2m is a good offer for a 31 year old bit where could we buy a replacement with that money capable of scoring 15/16 goals? That’s presuming we get the money to spend which I doubt. Get Fabbrini in and Tesche with the addition of a young hungry striker who is ready for the 1st team and I will be a very happy man come 15th August KRO
I’m not so bothered if we get Fabbrini or not, he didn’t float my boat. The potential loss of Donaldson is more of a worry unless (if he went) he was replaced with a younger goalscorer. As a 31 year old I can fully understand the Don wanting a good contract to see out his career. It was Donaldson’s goals that contributed to our final position in the table, although any striker still needs service.
Changing the subject slightly, interesting to see Pannu’s Linkedin still shows himself to be “Acting Chairman,MD,CEO at Birmingham International Holdings and Birminghamcity FC,” I suppose that he was always ‘acting’.
With the continued difficulty of persuading Forest to negotiate a deal to sell Tesche, we seem to have a solution on trial at the club…….Namely Rostyn Griffiths……Here to be known as:-
BOSTIN’ ROSTYN.
The BM suggests Rowett could lose patience and move on. If talks have been going on (and pretty advanced) for weeks, maybe we should have pulled the plug a couple of weeks ago. I think it’s more down to Freedman than the player… and that he’s realised he made a mistake loaning him out? So tell him to naff orf and move on.
Really interesting to see comments about Fabrini and everybody’s most gifted Blues player. The most gifted footballer for me is easy one Kenny Burns. He could play anywhere. He was a good no great defender, he played midfield at times and for those who were there (Iwas) who will forget his 4 goals against Derby!
I think it’s all down to Freedman and not Tesche …that £500k offer would have taken him to Blues if it wasent for his change of mind and I feel now that’s dead wood , we’ve got Bostin Rostyn so he might be a ready replacement for him so we’re wait and see …. As for Fabbrini that looks more promising with rumours of a deal being sorted and a medical on Monday but again we’re wait and see ! Kro
Big kick off in 3 weeks.. how long do we give these players before we stop them p*ss*ng us about and move on? For me, if they’re not in within the next week, the players already here deserve the chance to start the season and stake their claim. Any new players will have to wait their chance.
Football is about two ends of a pitch , you score at one end ,and stop anybody scoring at the other , that’s football .Then there is fabbrini ,now he is the business end as he attracts the fans attracts sponsorship ,attracts the media and attracts new buyers , hail fabbrini, hail tesche ,kro….
Fabian Delph as a change of heart and is now joining man city and Benteke is joining Liverpool .. Life isent to bad is it guys !! .. Fantastic news & relegation looms , what a shame !!!’!!!!! Kro
Yes Vile fans are in denial commenting on the BM website. They are blaming the Mail for reporting that Delph has changed his mind.
They are saying it isn’t Delph and that it is an old photo of Sterling, or that it is a hospital and Delph is visiting his wife ha ha.
Just seen him on Sky sports coming out of medical (unless they are treating him for the clap)..so unless hes been on ugly pills Aged by a few years and shaved his hair off it aint sterling!!! 8 million and big wages at Manc Citeeeh! all that is needed now is a bucket of Jeyes fluid to disinfect him.
Haha! The clap! That deserves a round of applause. ;)
With all the talk of players or lack of players coming in, reading GR’s comments, he comes across that he is more than happy to start the season with what he already has and add when necessary. The Tesche situation is a take it or leave it offer to the player but Birmingham can and will move on without him.
Great news! Donaldson has signed a 2 year extension to his current contract.
That IS good news. I think BCFC mean business this season. Can’t wait for it to start.
Delph typifies all thats wrong with Football, last week he couldnt wait to kick off with the vile now he signs for Man City an absolute disgrace. Still with him and Benteke gone its curtains for the shite.
Well done for the second time this week to the club for securing another one of our prized assets. The club may not be setting the place on fire with new signings but credit to them for warning off other clubs with descent contracts. Let’s not forget that both would have been gone no question asked not so long ago.
Although we’d all like more new signings before the season starts, if we had to start with this team on the 8th August, I think it could more than hold it’s own for a while. So I’m not too concerned atm.
Kuszczak
Caddis Morrison Spector Grounds
Gleeson Davis
Cotterill Shinnie Gray
Donaldson
Clayton Donaldson has extended his contract. The GR effect has proved itself yet again. GR has been our savior. How lucky we are that one of our players came back and bought 3 others back as his back up team. There must be a god. KRO
as anyone looked a our fixture list apart from Reading we have all the top teams at home and
the promoted teams away,possible 4 or5 points after 10 games…trouble ahead
KRO
There have been a couple of positive signs of late with Gray and now Donaldson signing new contracts when there were real fear one or both may not have been at the club by the start of the season so why put such a downer on things?
Also, get the situation at B6 over the last few weeks (national humiliation at Wembley, takeover bid collapsing and dying, players leaving for clubs that might actually with something).
Blues need to bring in two or three more players but it is surely not all negative, is it?
There have been a couple of positive signs of late with first Gray and now Donaldson signing new contracts when there were real fears one or both players may not even have been at the club by the start of the season so why put such a downer on things?
Also, get the situation at B6 over the last few weeks (national humiliation at Wembley, takeover bid collapsing and dying, players leaving for clubs that might actually with something).
Blues need to bring in two or three more players but it is surely not all negative, is it?
That last message should have read “..actually win something..”
Hill field Blues makes a very good point regarding Don.and Gray. Under Pannu they would have been long gone and not a penny invested. As regards Viperblue and the tough fixtures-yes it is a hard start, but I really feel survival has to be again our target this term. Point here and there against the better teams will be good. I still feel our bracketed group are the likes of Huddersfield, Charlton, Bolton and Cardiff. Two extra quality,contracted players would get us up a rung with the likes of Blackburn, Ipswich and Brentford. Reading remain the dark horses with their new owners and the raft of quality signings. They will be the toughest of the opening 5 games.
Off to kiddey on this lovely sunny day and my birthday also, looking forward to it now we’re making moves . Kro
Happy birthday Dave. Hope you get loads of goals and a good performance as a prezzie. :)
Cheers staffs and yes a few beers and a few goals will do nicely .kro
Dave Mann could you do us a favour & give us a bit of a match report when you have time please, I’m off on my hols so won’t get to any friendlies & would like to know how we are performing!! I’ll get back in time for the Reading game so hopefully we may have signed a couple of players, have a good day in Kiddie.
Be a pleasure Paule and I will do my best to keep you up to date . Kro
I’d be interested to hear your views on the two trialists Dave.. Griffiths and Lowry. I gather it was a scuffed clearance by Kuszczak that led to the Kiddy goal?
Could it be that the people who are supposed to be buying the club, have some sort of agreement that the current players can not be sold?
It’s quite possible Trillion have a say in key contract negotiations or even a veto on sales and purchases – sales to protect value of squad; purchases to prevent profligacy or spending too much on one player.
I sincerely doubt that as they haven’t even put in a formal bid yet…
blues at Kiddy. played well with Gray ,Arthur and Lowry looking fit and sharp. Thomas,Shinnie and Maghoma very ordinary. Please no Bostyn Rostyn bluenoses! He looks like Mattic of Chelsea but that’s where it ends.Tried hard but even Kiddy was one step too many for him. I found it hard that the ref. did not stop play for a minutes applause for Dave Mann’s birthday !
According to the BM, Rowett has given up on Tesche and moved on. About bl00dy time too.