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Tis The Season
Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la la, la la la la. It also appears to be the season for Dimmy Gray’s exit from Birmingham City is to reported ad nauseum by the newspapers once again.
This morning it was our old friend James Nursey (who I’ve not seen report much on Blues at all in the last year or so) in the Daily Mirror, reporting that Bournemouth and Leicester are interested in the 19-year-old winger – and at a knockdown price of £3.75m. Nursey reports that if Blues are still in the promotion mix then Gray will stay … and should he stay until Summer and Blues don’t go up then apparently the price is just £3m.
I have to admit, this story smacks of agent talk to me. Dimmy hasn’t torn up trees of late for Blues and while Bournemouth might need some additional firepower I suspect given Leicester’s lofty position they might have somewhat loftier ambitions. I can’t see that clubs will have been overawed by what he can do and I wonder if there really has been expressions of interest.
It’s like these release clauses – something doesn’t ring true there either for me. I have no doubt there is a release clause in Dimmy’s contract – but I cannot imagine that Blues were so whipped that they allowed something so massively in Dimmy’s favour. From what happened in the summer it was rumoured that the fee isn’t all that is included in the clause and I wonder if the fees quoted in the article by James Nursey are indeed the whole truth.
I know there are people out there who will say oh woe is Blues, Gray will go – but if he’s as good as his potential suggests it’s a given he will go. That’s just the way football works – the key will be that Blues maximise any fee they can get for him and get as much from him in the team as they can. Until Blues are a top six Premier League side we’re going to get players picked off from us because that’s the way football works – it hurts when they’re young talent we’ve brought through but it was ever thus.
I’m probably going to commit heresy here but when (not if) Gray goes, I don’t want Blues to loan him back – a clean break and moving on to developing the next talent is what Blues need to do more. Viv Solomon-Otabor has shown he could be a first-teamer; there are others in the set-up who are pushing to be in the team and that’s where we need to go.
I’m going to make a promise now. Until an official transfer bid is made, I’m saying nothing more in relation to Dimmy Gray potentially leaving Blues. It’s all speculation and it drives me nuts – so I’m not going to add to it. No doubt there will be stories for the next couple of months but it will all be the same thing – club x is interested, there is y release clause, yadda yadda yadda. Until it happens, I’m not going to care.
Tags: Dimmy Gray
84 Responses to “Tis The Season”
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Have to be honest he has done nothing this season to show he could command a place in a team in the Premiership. Whether that’s a drop in form or teams being “wise” to him more who knows. Plus it makes no financial sense to sell in Jan unless the player forces it. With the new TV deal for Prem clubs hitting next season prices will go up for players so more likely we will be able to command a bigger fee.
In a performance related industry though it’s hard to command a bigger fee the way he’s playing this season.
I, like a lot of people commenting here think Dimmi needs to step up to the plate, if I was a scout for another team, there is no way that I would be looking at Dimmi on his current form, so Dimmi needs to take a look at himself and decide what he wants for his future, because currently he is only lower championship material and resting on a couple of decent performances, he is no longer new kid on the block and needs to command a bit more authority, if he gives us the level of play we know he is capable of for the rest of the season and attracts interest from more affluent clubs then so be it, I wisll wish him well and thank him for his contribution, but currently he only deserves a bench warming place. Kro
i agree with mezz and adam at this moment in time dimmi has been very poor. but dont take any notice of james nursery he is a viler and loves it when blues are poor kro
The Mirror have just recycled the story they ran in the summer. But you’re spot on Adam. His head seems to be at Anfield or the King Power already.
Flog him and invest in some other players to support Vaughn who’s going to be a good acquisition up front.
If you count the amount of outstanding or even good games Gray has had for Blues since he came into the first team your probably not reaching double figures.His value in the transfer market is largely based on potential and that’s something he just isn’t fulfilling at this point in his career.
I would urge Rowett to do everything in his power to keep Gray at Blues.
True his present form is patchy with only one goal and one assist this season. But he is only 19 and still developing.
I recall Jack Butland at 19, his form was patchy. Now at 22 he is one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League.
I have posted many times that Gary needs to find a position for Dimmi that minimises his defensive responsibilities to maximise Dimmi’s attacking threat.
Dummy is a prospect no more no less, two decent players around th 1 million mark would serve us better.
Totally agree rhees sell him for 3.75 and get 4 one million player s and secure play off place kro
As I’ve said before, Gray has potential, but not much more. I don’t think he’s improved one iota this season and, for me, doesn’t deserve a regular starting place. Other than running fast (mostly in the wrong areas) I don’t see what he brings to the team tbh. His crossing is poor, his shooting is poor, his decision making around goal is poor. The only part of his game where I see a slight improvement, is in his defensive duties, but that’s neither here nor there for me. I wouldn’t be too upset if he were sold.. we have a ready-made replacement to champion.
Can you shut up till we sell him
Yes sir!
LOL
Interesting comments made by Broady on the Blues player during the recent Brighton game. He said we will never get the best out of Dimmy until we can release him from his defensive duties. When he first came on the scene that side of his game wasn’t there so when he was given the ball he used it. Now that side of his game has improved he spends a lot of the game in defensive mode.
Very true atko , if Gray was given a free role in and behind the striker and told to do your thing and not to worry about defensive duties to much we would see a different player but as it stands he’s not producing and not been given that freedom so if he goes in January then so be it but sell him early and get that money spent and I would take that . Kro
I do hope our lads don’t read this blog. That’s another one of our best players consigned to the dustbin!
Sorry Bluenosesol but I hope they do read this! Its about time some of our players stood up to the plate and stop resting on their laurels, if I performed as inconsistently at work as some of these players I would be out of a job, and I have to do it everyday not for just 90 minutes.
Dan you don’t even need to be a top 6 premier league side to lose your players, look at all the Arsenal players that went to Man City because they were offered untold riches. I saw an item the other day saying Liverpool were after him again & scouts were at stans on saturday, i’m pretty sure he won’t be going to Anfield anytime soon!!
It’s been like that for nearly 5 years mate and it ain’t gonna change in the forseable future until ownership his sorted .. More chance of Oscar pistourious getting out of prison a free man before our ownership is sorted . Kro
I’m afraid Dimmy is like a lot of wingers in that he doesn’t go looking for the ball. The answer is for his teammates to MAKE him work by keep giving him the ball and if he lays it back to a defender as seems to be his first thought make sure that he moves into space to receive the ball back in an advanced position. So often I see him “snooker” himself by hiding behind an opposition player taking himself out of the game and making the job of his teammates that much harder. “Give and go” should be the mantra.
He does give & go…….he gives & goes missing!!!!!
Swansea sack Gary Monk .. What’s the management world coming to !! .. If Rowett left then he’d be my man. Kro
Brendan Rodgers maybe?
I meant for Swansea!
I know you did .. 1/2 on so looks the one for me . Kro
If I had a choice Rowett would be gone before dark.
Well the rest of us can be thankful you won’t be getting your way. Absolutely ridiculous comment.
To be replaced by Mcleish . Kro
Never go back. Not ever.
It was tongue in cheek staffs . Ime happy with our manager , hope he stays for a bit longer than tonight !! Kro
I have no problems with Rowett at all. We have a few problems at the moment and I’m quite happy to let him get on with solving them.
Ditto !! Kro
I’d much rather confirm new owners than a new manager! GR has done and is trying to do a superb job, it must be a bit like a jugglers with one hand tied behind his back.
Or a one legged bloke in an arse kicking competition.
If the transfer fee can be reinvested then I agree let him go. His performances have been very poor of late.
If the rumour of Liverpool supposedly having a done deal in place then perhaps included in that is a loan back until the end if the season and perhaps a loan or two from their promising youngsters. ( Kent who’s at Coventry until January for example )
Let’s be realistic it would be fantastic if we were to make the play offs but hardly likely but if we can build this season not just on points tally on and league position but more importantly performances.
Let’s show players who maybe available in the summer that we are a club who are genuinely on the up and become an attractive proposition for ambitious talant that is out there and to do that I believe we need to become more exspansive on the field rather than a counter attacking side that clearly has its limitations but to do that we need the talant and performances rather than results I feel is the way forward.
We might not get another chance after this season. The teams coming down next season will be getting very big parachute payments. The current top 5 will be the top 5 at the end of the season I reckon but 6th place is up for grabs. The teams around us are just as inconsistent as we are which is why we stayed in 6th place for so long. We have to grab our chance when it is there. Donaldson and Cotterill back fit and firing at the end of the month and three quality loan signings in January and there is no reason we can’t go again.
Why would we want to loan him back? He is under performing now he would be worse if his heart was somewhere else.
Exactly what I said yesterday Shirley. Kro
Ditto! :)
Fulham seems like a long time ago but I agree our situation isn’t irretrievable.Loosing arguably your best 2 players will have an effect on any team but I think what made it worse was the loss of form of the likes of Gleeson,Gray and Grounds amongst others.
GR keeps referring to us being in a strong position if we can get to January so some decent premier league loans and Cotts and the Don back and you never know.
Dan Burn was centre half that day thus contributing to the 5-2
I bet this money that is being made available in January for Rowett to strengthen the team is coming from the sale of Dimmi
Agree. GR wording like ‘we will be in a very strong position come January’ does indicate a Gray sale. However,who knows what is around the corner with Blues.
For all the posters calling for Gray to be sold ask yourselves this.
Why are Liverpool, Leicester, Bournemouth and other Premier League Clubs wanting to buy him?
Just in case! They can all afford to buy him and have him sitting on the bench or keep him for u21s.
Not to mention a regular in the England U20 team. Let’s get rid of him and get Lee Novak back in. Who wants to see genuine talent after all – lets get back to watching some real mediocrity and staring down the abyss to FL1 again.
Rodgers wanted Dimmi. Maybe not Klopp
There buying is potential to be honest and at 19 he’s got plenty of time but he will be warming the bench of those clubs interested in the premier league .. They know there getting a bargain at under £4 million so it’s pretty obvious why they would be willing to take a punt on him .. They get a bargain and we get the money we need to strengthen the team because Dimmi flatters to deceive and at this moment in time is not worth is place in the team in my opinion . Kro
Absolutely spot on. Teams like that can afford to invest/waste £4m. It’s pocket money to them. Not much of a risk tbh.
Totally agree with you Dave, problem is, it’s not just Dimmi and if we had our way and the money we would replace them all, which is a shame because for 1 or 2 games they have looked quality, its just the other games that have been the problem, but then our opponents must take some credit for containing us. I would take £4 mill tomorrow and bring in 3 consistent tryers.
All our best performances have been away from home at Fulham , Leeds , Burnley , Brentford , Bolton etc … Donsldson and cotterill may be back for Boxing Day and Sheffield Wednesday so our away form will continue from then on hopefully though let’s hope we can get something at the riverside Saturday , no pressure , no expectancy , might just upset the ‘ Boro . Kro
I get the feeling that Shirley Blue is finally on the verge of admitting that Gray aint nothing special after all. Let’s get the money and re-invest in a two or three players who will put a shift in.
Too many negative opinions about Gray to argue with SB, or have you actually started to watch games with your eyes open now!!
You would be wrong. Haven’t you got the brains to come up with your own opinion rather that have to worry about mine. Muppet.
To sell or not to sell…
I’d agree that Demmi has not been great this season, but some of the criticism on here’s a bit harsh. A few things:
1) He’s a young lad who is still learning the game;
2) Since all the fuss after Reading, he’s often marked out for special attention by the opposition, doubling up on him etc.
3) He gets little help from Grounds;
4) We are slow getting the ball out to wide players (more so at home);
5) There are parallels with Redmond who is now playing regular Prem. footie. I think Nathan was probably a bit better than Demmi, but he also went through a fallow period before we flogged him.
6) He probably needs dropping to help him rebuild his confidence at a lower standard, I’m sure its psychologically tiring too so give him a break from that.
7) It is just potential, but he keeps getting picked for England (at different levels) so a few people must see something in him.
I just hope we get a good sell-on clause just in case.
I have to agree with the general consensus of selling Dimmy. He has not be very consistent and we are crying out for a left footed winger, a left back and a striker.
I can’t believe that a £3m+ fee would be anything but a starting point. You’d have to be pretty stupid to refuse £5m, then take less a year later. I know our owners are pretty dense, but surely they must have learned some lessons from the past? My guess is that it would be £3m + add ons relating to appearances etc, etc.
And a selling on fee which we have with Jack butland 20 per cent .. Sell for £10 million get £2 million back , cushty . Kro
That’ll do for me sunshine. :)
Daniel. I have a feeling we are due a windfall this month or it may be early new year- for someone. I just cannot remember if was Redmond or Butland for either appearances or getting England recognition. If you have any recall,would be good to know. Thanks.
Daniel. Now I think back -it may be Jordan Mutch sell on clause.
I thought we’d already had that?
I am sure the sell on clause involved fairly recent transfer from Cardiff to Crystal palace £5m. Our cut being 10%.
Great win for the U18s against Southampton 3-1 Kro
Everybody else thinks it was 3-2…..Keep up.
Very impressed with our forward line, they looked sharp as a needle. The first team squad should be made to watch the youth team, maybe a bit of enthusiasm might rub off.
Touched a nerve have I SB. Interesting that you have previously criticised me for voicing my opinion of Gray yet when most other posts are also criticising him for a poor effort this season you are as quiet as the holte end. You do post a lot of common sense but have to disagree with your loyalty towards gray. Don’t let yourself down with petty name calling SB you are better than that.
Now now girls, play nicely. We’re all Bluenoses after all. :)
Point taken Staffs, we won’t always agree with each others opinions but we should respect each others right to having one.
Blues apparently after the ‘new Jamie Vardy,’ Weston Super-Mare striker Bradley Ash. According to the Daily Star, Gary Rowett has invited him to the club for a two-week trial after he scored 14 goals in 13 games.
In other news, Jon Toral and Nikolai Brock-Madsen are doubtful for tomorrow’s game. We’ll be lucky to field a full subs bench at this rate.
You may be suprisded but after considering my 18 players for tommorrow, I didn’t even have Toral on the bench!
If we had anyone better, I doubt he’d be on my bench either. He’s got some nice touches, but he’s too hot and cold for me tbh.
If this is true Staffs then GR has to take a hard lesson in stripping your squad in the hopes of not getting injuries. Always said he needs an older wise head around.
Might take me boots with me tomorrow but propably be to intoxicated come kick off so maybe not … Interesting starting eleven , could be interesting one thinks . Kro
We have a hell of a job on our hands tomorrow. I can’t see our midfield winning the battle against Clayton and Leadbitter, in fact, they’re suprior to us in almost every position. We’ll probably be in for a very long afternoon
I haven’t seen us play badly away this season ( missed Hull ) .. Even in defeat to Brighton and the vile we played well so fingers crossed and let’s hope that we keep that going … Last season we were rubbish at Boro so a performance would be nice even in defeat . Kro
Getting your registration faxed to FA as of now, together with Staffs and Mr. Cranfield. Front 3- Mann Staffs Cranfield. Staffs lying a little deeper up front.
I doubt the shorts would fit me anymore lol
It’s ok making mistakes (we all do) as long as you learn from them. If he doesn’t learn from his mistakes Mitchell, he won’t go very far as a manager.
Agree Staffs. It really is a nonsense to be left as we are with canon fodder coming to mind. Ok, Thomas and Novak just barely Championship mode-but at least they would have added a nuisance value at a time when we all knew what was around the corner with Don. Hopefully Vaughan can keep injury free until Boxing Day.
I think of it like this, I’d have had much confidence in Wes Thomas scoring in the last 3 games than Brock-Madsen.
It was Voltaire who said (I disagree with what you say but would defend to the death your right to say it) That should apply to everyone on this planet sports stars politicians everyone.
Can’t argue with that. :)
What I don’t understand is why we would put in a £3.75m clause after turning down £5m from Bournemouth. Mind you we supposedly turned down £6m for Butland from Southampton.