Just one year
Only one disappointing season in Premier League has undoubtedly left some trail in Birmingham City. They lost their manager Steve Bruce, who went to Wigan in the middle of the season, but he wasn’t very popular at St Andrews anyway. The Blues had appointed the legendary Alex McLeish a manager in January. Before that he had been successfully assigned as the manager of the Scottish national team manager. Blues also signed another well-known Scottish, striker James McFadden from Everton (4.75 mill pounds). Still, in the shocking finish, they were left empty-handed in the relegation race with Fulham and suffered a close drop-out. Their away performances were once again a great problem since they took only 9 of possible 57 points.
Hope
With the change of the league status, there had come some important changes within the team. We point out some significant departures like their key striker, Michael Forsell (Hannover 96, free transfer), then Patrice Muamba (Bolton, 5 mill pounds), Mauro Zarate ( Lazio, loan), Olivier Kapo (Wigan, 2.5 mill) and Daniel de Ridder (Wigan, free transfer). List of the players that have arrived is not bad at all and it looks optimistic: good old fighter, Lee Carsley (Everton), the experienced Kevin Phillips (WBA, second best scorer of the Championship last season), and the great striker with a lot of Premier League experience Marcus Bent (Charlton). This is a respectful team but still with one feature that might be a problem. Namely, two most important men, James McFadden and Swedish, Sebastian Larsson, are announcing departures saying they don’t want to lose time in the Championship. Although McLeish is denying, the facts are some teams from Premiership and Celtic have shown interest in McFadden, Newcatsle for Larsson, which could significantly diminish Blues’ chances in keeping the two players.
In
Lee Carsley (Everton), Kevin Phillips (West Brom), Marcus Bent (Charlton Athletic)
Out:
Mikael Forssell (Hannover 96), Patrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Adam Ledzdins (Crewe Alexandra), Daniel de Ridder (Wigan Athletic), Mauro Zarate (Lazio), Oliver Kapo (Wigan Athletic), Rafael Scmitz (Lille, end of loan)
Prediction
Guys from St Andrews will have problems with motivating their best players and the fans who always expect the highest rankings and who are traditionally impatient if things go wrong. Still, they have a remarkable squad considering the competition and, if McLeish brings another experienced playmaker (which he announced), the chances for top 6 are quite realistic, and with a bit of luck even for more than that. If he keeps his health, Phillips will keep on scoring in the weaker competition of the Championship so he could be a good option to bet on the top scorer.
Our tip: Bet 6 to be promoted
Odds: 2.75
Bookmaker:Bet365
Our tip: Kevin Phillips to be Championship best scorer stake 4
Odds: 13.00
Bookmaker: Bet365
PROM
PL-OFF
RELEG