Often Partisan

Gossip Folks – The Transfer Rumour Mill (Summer 2012 Edition) Pt II

Last week was quite the week when it came to transfers – four players and a goalkeeper coach in, three on trial and none out. So how did the media do?

I’ve uploaded the current spreadsheet here – and as you can see the score isn’t actually that great – the club have really done a good job in keeping a lid on transfers until they were done or about done. For example, the first I heard about the Peter Lovenkrands and David Lucas transfers were when they were completed; news of Darren Ambrose only leaked out via Tom Ross the day before it was completed and the first news I saw of Mullins’ signing was this prophetic post by Funksoulbrummie on smallheathalliance.com. What strikes me is that the club have made a concerted effort to minimise speculation so that rather than the outlandish stories we had under the previous board gossiping over who we might sign, Blues have kept it down to what they’re actually doing – which whilst annoying for people looking for scoops is great for the fans and I think the club deserves kudos for it.

What we have been subjected to however is almost constant daily speculation on Curtis Davies’ departure – chiefly led by the Daily Mail and James Nursey of the Daily Mirror. Whilst Mr Nursey might be quick to defend his contacts and his information with respect to any move for Davies I do think there is a certain amount of hubris (there’s that word again) involved because of Mr Nursey’s allegiance to Norwich City. The only whisper I’ve had is that whilst Hughton does undoubtedly rate the London-born centre back Norwich can’t actually afford him – whether that comes to pass, we shall have to wait and see.

Similarly, there has been lots about the future of Jack Butland – for instance, note this piece in the Sporting Life where it’s insinuated current Southampton goalkeeper is ready to fight Butland for the Southampton number 1 shirt. Of course, the actual quotes are nothing like that – Davis doesn’t mention Butland by name and the quotes seem generic enough to me to be about how he wants to keep playing for the shirt – nothing more. Yet stories like this fuel the fire amongst fans who think Butland is definitely on the way out – the lesson here, as always is don’t believe the hype.

If you’ve seen anything juicy that you think I might have missed please feel free to drop me a line and I’ll look into it further. I’m intending to put the next installment of the spreadsheet up on Monday 23 July.

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66 Responses to “Gossip Folks – The Transfer Rumour Mill (Summer 2012 Edition) Pt II”

  • prewarblue says:

    Can you clear up this report in the “Daily Mail, regarding “Foday Today ? “,,,,,as I understood things ,he had signed for Liverpool with Blues getting £70k compo,,,,,now according to this report,,,,,he hasnt signed for anyone,,,,his Blues registration has been cancelled,,,,but he could resign for us as he has more chance of 1st team games than with the “Big Clubs” chasing his signature.

    I assume the ex Acdamy person would be Terry Westley

  • Pete says:

    Surely this is a time to get blues fans to tweet the lad and tell him how much Blues fans want him and how he will have a chance with us!

  • Paul Carter - TVOR says:

    More to the point Leek Lark should be doing that.

  • Adam says:

    Apparently marlin king is wanted be Cardiff but he would rather stay at blues – sky sports paper talk

  • andy says:

    Yes i saw that about the young kid,i thought it was a done deal with Liverpool now the report says he could stay at Blues. Lets hope he does but what is the truth here? As for the rumours circulating around the likes of Davies and Butland, i think Blues have made it clear only silly money will tempt them to sell so i cant see either of those 2 leaving this summer at least.

  • KeeprightCroydON says:

    Hi Al
    This article was in yesterday’s Observer.
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/14/london-2012-team-gb-jack-butland.
    In print version ended with the usual speculation about Prem clubs coming in for Butland.

    • PeeJay says:

      That arrticle also says”At Birmingham last season Colin Doyle was the first-choice keeper; Butland wants regular football and may depart – Southampton, newly promoted, retain an interest.” So thats how you report accurately?

  • Jay Sidney says:

    Maybe the clues are in the title of this latest blog “Gossip Folks – The Transfer Rumour Mill (Summer 2012 Edition) Pt II”.

    I’m thinking first and fifth words here.

  • J.jennings says:

    We should be holding on to the youth, firstly to put there name in the shop window, then they can orchestrate there own move by Playing out there skin for the club, it’s win win that way. He probably would get more first team action at blues anyway, KRO

  • Ian Finlay says:

    Given that Foday Nabay is such an excellent prospect how come he has been ‘deregistered’ as a Blues player? Is it his decision or BCFC’s?
    Could someone please explain this…………….thanks.

  • skareggae72 says:

    I`m hoping Norwich make a move for Andy Carroll,as i`m sure Chris Hughton would love to have Andys services again,and hopefully that will use up there remaining budget,and the speculation of them taking our best players will end,two more additions to the current squad and i think we have enough to see us throuigh to Jan.

    • Jay Sidney says:

      Is it true Norwich may not be able to afford Curtis Davies? If it is, Andy Carroll would surely be even further outside their budget…

      However, I agree two or maybe three more additions to squad (provided they don’t sell any more playes) would see Blues OK till January 2013 transfer window opens. I reckon cover at left back and centre of defence still needed. Lee Naylor would solve the former but his trial at Blues is still up in the air.

      Ladbrokes had Blues at a handy 12/1 recently. Surprisingly low odds given what Blues have been through and are still going through. When these odds really matter will surely be just before the season proper starts and, if Lee Clark continues to go about his business in the transfer market the way he has thus far, those odds could yet creep down to single figures…

      • skareggae72 says:

        There is talk about Carroll going on loan,they would just have to find his wages,although that would still be somewhere in the region of 3million.

  • Cleggy says:

    Paul Scharner is out of contract at the mo, isn’t he? A good, versatile defensive player with lots of Prem experience. Presumably he must live in and around the area too. I’m not starting a rumour, just saying he might be worth an approach…

  • TonyB says:

    Really happy with how the squad is developing. Main concern is left midfield/left wing. Think we really need a decent left footer like Beau or Townsend but hopefully more productive than those. It’s OK filling in with Elliott, Redmond, etc. but no substitute for a genuine leftie.

    Bit concerned about left back too but Stevie can cover left effectively and Spector too at a pinch. But at least we have a genuine left back as first choice. Again only Ibanez to cover centre half but both Spector and Mullins have played and there are two or three youngsters too.

    But left midfield is a worry. I’m not doubting that LC is looking to address it but keen to see the solution.

  • Paul Carter - TVOR says:

    Another friendly to replace the Oldham one, Bury away.

    Same night, £10 adults £5 kids

  • andy says:

    I wonder what the Andros Townsend situation is? He was keen to join Blues for next season but i wonder if Lee Clark would be keen on him? The business Clark has done so far has impressed me and im really looking forward to the new season under him.

  • NooBloo says:

    The lack of transfer news known about before complwtion just goes to show that journalists have virtually no contacts whatsoever and their news articles rely heavily on guess work and speculation, hence all the guess work and hype concerning Curtis Davis

  • Swiss Jonny says:

    Advert in todays SouthChina Morning Post seeking an investor for an unnamed club.Its on page A10.Goes on about the club being poised for a rebound,having modern ground and academy.It goes on to say that club was a founder member of premier league.Now my memory fails me.I can’t remember in my middle age if we were or not.I think not? Other than this point it would seem to fit our description exactly.I have the ad if anyones interested

  • Swiss Jonny says:

    Thanks for the clarification.In the torrid life of a Bluenose such minor details fade into insignificance.Who could it be-portsmouth?

  • Swiss Jonny says:

    My curiosity has got the better of me.Ill try to find out and let you know.Everton is an interesting shout.

    • DoctorD says:

      Well it was one of these — could be Middlesbrough?

      Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Coventry City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, Oldham Athletic, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wimbledon.

  • Jay Sidney says:

    I haven’t seen the ad in question but would the key phrase here be “poised for a rebound”?

  • pierre says:

    am i mistaken or didnt steve bruce originally try and sign scharner,before he went to wigan.according to the express and new wba boss did not want to renew his contract due to high wage demands.i.e. if wba cannot afford his wages i doubt that blues could.

  • Stephen says:

    An interesting report on BBC website regarding Pompey today. All senior pro’s (all 8 of them) have been left at home and they hope to be rid of them before the new squad come back from training in Spain. On this list is Greg Halford & Erik Huseklepp, does anyone think they are worth a shout if they can be purchased for a nominal fee? I think Halford would be great to bolster our defensive ranks.

    • Pete says:

      Would like Halford. Also, I think it then allows Murphy to play on left mid if needed, where I tihnk he can be more than useful. Halford’s throws are even longer than Murphy’s!!!

  • Swiss Jonny says:

    More intriguing.Back from the pub and found my glasses. The ad says. ” A famous club with a rich history and having a top class stadium plus a state of the art academy seeks an investor partner.The club were founder members of the premier league and remain ambitious to regain the status within the next few years.’ They ask interested parties to respond to a g mail address.The Premier league founder bit threw me .The g mail address wreaks of a broker who may perhaps not have all his facts straight.Anyway sorry for my earlier paraphrasing guess this excludes Everton but Boro it may be.Jay regain the status was the exact phrase ( sorry! ) but your right anyway! The g mail detail is footballclubuk@gmail.com

  • Jay Sidney says:

    Sadly, the one thing we can see is that Blues have been ruled out here.

  • andy says:

    I wouldnt want Eric Huseless back, i think we got a good deal getting Mullins from Portsmouth. If we need another striker i think Nile Ranger is worth a punt.

    • Pete says:

      What!?!!?!?! You joking? We have a great squad rapport and look at his habits. No thank you. I was not keen on King, but he seems to have sorted his life out. Ranger is in trouble time and time again. Do we need that?

  • chris clarke says:

    Just seen the photographs from the first training session in austria on the official club page.

    Call me pariniod but I can’t see any sign of curtis davis

  • andy says:

    Yes i kno all about Ranger and his bad boy ways, but he is highly thought of by the Newcastle fans its just that he is a little wayward off the pitch but an arm around the shoulder from Marlon would sort that pete.

  • nick wicky says:

    It was interesting reading LC comments in the mail today after PP’s talk of prudence. I have come to the conclusion that Blues these days have a dustinct distaste for mercenary’s,and this make s me doubt seriously weather nikola zigicis still getting big wages in the championship asi think pp would have drummed him out by now as he did to foster!

    • almajir says:

      Nicky – he is. FACT

    • nick wicky says:

      very strange as they’ve drummed out all the other big earners. LC said in the mail yesterday that he’s turned away several players for looking for a pay day so why would they keep zigic on big wages it doesn’t make sense. maybe you’ve been miss informed. he might have been when they first came down,but maybe he’s agreed to a wage cut so he can stay? PP doesn’t seem in any hurry to get rid of him and they don’t like mercenery’s now! Theres always some club that would take him after all stoke signed jerome and crouch didn’t they.

  • andy says:

    Im expecting bigger things of Ziggy next season,he was hampered by injury last year and didnt get a pre-season behind him, but fingers crossed he wont suffer coming into this season and if he can repeat his League Cup form and what he did at Leeds last season, he will be worth every penny. He loves it at Blues!

  • DoctorD says:

    Yeah to the outside world beyond St Andrews, Ziggy is probably the one “glamour” player that people have heard of. Not saying that’s justified, but I can’t imagine all that many non-Bluenoses would be able to name many of our players. So that, coupled with the fact he’s on a massive wedge, mean he better bloody start performing this year. No pressure mate.

    • nick wicky says:

      Where does al get his info? It doesn’t make snese to me that they would get rid of all the other big earners, and then keep ziggy. he’s done nothing special to justify preimer wages.I’m sure pp would have liked to have kept foster but he asked for preier wages to play in the champioship.LC said yesterday in the mail they were looking for players with the right attitude not just those looking for a pay day, and that ambrose had taken a pay cut to join blues. ziggy has gone on record saying he genuinely enjoys playing for blues,and doesn’t want to move. they were gonna sell him last january then it didn’t happen. I think maybe he agreed to a wage cut so he could stay. All this the clubs got a love affair with zigic sounds daft. PP is pretty tight with the purse strings and I would have thought he would be asking him to go if he thought he was just after money!

      • almajir says:

        Nicky, as you’ve been repeatedly told, it’s not a case of “keeping Zigic”, it’s a case of no one will buy him…

        • nick wicky says:

          £50000 is only modest premier wages these days. I can’t beleive no-one would buy him. he’s as good as crouch similar build,and they signed him so i’m sure there would have been someone who would be interested. I’ve seen some of the sums being paid for strikers in the Premier,and Zigic can play there and what blues paid is pretty modest. I mean why wouldn’t someone like Stoke have made an enquiry for him, they signed Jerome,and Zigic is better than him!

          • almajir says:

            Nicky

            Because Jerome is a damn sight younger than Ziggy, doesn’t have Ziggy’s poor injury record and (contrary to your belief) probably is on a fair bit less.

          • nick wicky says:

            probably says to me that you are guessing.jeromes had his fair share of injuries.how old is crouch? You miss my point. crouch and ziggy are similar players,and there is always some club who he would suit. The preier league has just got richer. I heard someone talking about £250k pw coming soon!

          • nick wicky says:

            Al If you could say categorically that the club have told me Zigic is on big money whether £50-60k or whatever the latest estimate is. otherwise you are just repeating the hype in the media,and just guessing. blues seem to be pretty good at managing the money these days,but as they’ve got rid of the other big earners it would be surprising if there wereany left. though i suppose with the parachute money they can just about cope with one star!

          • almajir says:

            Zigic is on a wedge. It is a fact. Accept it.

        • nick wicky says:

          Al if you could say to me that the club told me he’s on Preier wages. They are keeping him because they have not had agood enough offer that i could understand,but from what i’ve read and heard the ethos down the blues now is to look for players with the right attitude and quality, not just players looking for a pay day, or they’re paying him the money because he has the right attitude,but all the stories i’ve heard about his wages seem like media hype!

          • nick wicky says:

            i have only heard rumours al. they don’t match the comments coming out of the club. is this something you have been told by the club or is it just gossip? i can accept that.

          • almajir says:

            It is something I know as a fact. It’s up to you whether you want to believe me or not.

          • nick wicky says:

            Al why are you dodging the question? you say it’s a fact,but you don’t say how you know? i have heard a lot of rumours,and people making guesses. last season there were a lot of fans getting on his back because tom ross said he was reputedly on £50k pw or half the gate money, and maybe he would have performed better if he hadn’t had this hassle!

  • Jay Sidney says:

    Hey DoctorD

    Maybe it’s better that Blues have a load of relatively unknown players in their squad as the opposition won’t be sure what to expect.

    Remember 2002 when, on the eve of the first top-flight derby against the vile for 16 seasons, oaf Mellberg arrogantly claimed he’d never heard of any Blues players? I bet he’d heard of a few by the end of the match when 26,000 Blues fans were chanting “Can We Play You Every Week?” in heart-warmingly memorable tones after Blues coshed vile 3-0…

  • nick wicky says:

    al do sheffield wednesday have wealthy backers? I have seen stories where they are interested in signing joey barton and we all know what a mercenery he is!

  • nick wicky says:

    I guess Zigic is in an awkward situation if what al says is true,and he plays well then come january they will probably be looking to sell him,but if he’s prolific htey may decide to keep him because they might feel that his goals will get blues promoted. on the other hand if he’s not on big money anymore nobody will beleive him because of all the specualtion and rumour thats been put about!


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