Surprise Swoop

Stop the press and hold the phone. Forget the end to the ongoing Gareth Bale saga, Marouane Fellaini pushing a move to Manchester United, and Mesut Özil's impending transfer to Arsenal, because the shock of the day in the footballing world has most certainly come in the form of Birmingham City paying a transfer fee for a footballer.

Paul Caddis has completed the switch from Swindon Town to Blues, after some sort of minor miracle on the money front, and for which Lee Clark deserves an almighty pat on the back.

After his successful loan spell at St. Andrew’s last season, Caddis was a summer target for Clark which ultimately fell on deaf ears, after Blues after not being able to stump up the £250,000 Swindon wanted for the defender.

But out-of-favour Caddis has finally completed the surprise deadline day move to the Midlands for a knock down fee of £150,000 – presumably with Swindon taking what they could get for a player who is surplus to requirements at the County Ground after being ‘frozen out.’

With Neal Eardley’s knee ligament damage at the weekend due to sideline him for some time, Clark has managed to get Caddis in as an astute replacement for the player, who will be expected to slot straight into the starting XI.

In terms of optimism the news has certainly galvanised the fans. Although many are calling for Clark to have spent the money on a decent striker, we also lack creativity; but if Caddis can reproduce the performances he put in his loan spell last season then it’s looking more promising than it did at the weekend.

The way I see it is with Eardley’s injury Clark was able to convince the board to free up the small sum to bring in a replacement, and one which we know will do a good job for us. Hopefully Clark can utilise the emergency loan window, which is set to open a week from now.

As stated by Colin Tattum in an article in today’s Birmingham Mail, this is only the forth player for which we have paid a fee for out of the last forty-three players brought in since relegation from the Premier League in 2011. A sign of the times, indeed, but a refreshing change to say the least.

Welcome back Paul Caddis. Image: BCFC.com

Deadline Day: Ins and Outs

As the transfer window slammed shut at eleven o’clock last night Birmingham City were left to assess the damage after the player exodus continued; with Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome making their way through the exit door. Nevertheless, it could have been worse. Only two went out and two – plus an 18 year old – came into St. Andrews on deadline day, with both departures very much expected ones.

Since relegation former England U21 player Scott Dann has attracted attention from Liverpool, Arsenal and even Chelsea no less. But his deadline day move to Blackburn Rovers raised a few eyebrows, seeing as they are one of the favourites to suffer relegation from the Premier League this season. After his move to Stoke City earlier on in the transfer window fell through – whether that was due to Blues being too stubborn or reported high wage demands we don’t know – but Blackburn came in and Blues seemed to be happy to sell the player for a reported fee of £7.7 million, and Dann himself seemed to welcome a move back to the Premier League. All the best to the young defender who has a big future ahead of him; it was a shame for him to get injured when he did but I wish him the best of luck in the future: a great lad on and off the pitch who deserves success. Always believe in…

The next deadline day mover was striker Cameron Jerome, who has more than divided opinion amongst the Birmingham fans since his arrival in 2006. After seeing the club through two promotions, two relegations and a Carling Cup win, as well as being part of the invincible team of 2009/10, the Huddersfield-born forward has seen it all, and before his departure yesterday he was one of the longest serving players in the current squad. Although not blessed with goal-scoring ability – ironic seeing as he plies his trade as a striker – you can’t fault his work rate, and that goal at Anfield will never be forgotten, nor is it likely to be repeated by Jerome! With Stoke City his new employers – a club on the up I must add – I wish Jerome luck there, though he’ll have to work hard to become first choice striker, especially with the addition of Peter Crouch to Pulis’ ranks also.


Despite late interest from Newcastle United regarding Liam Ridgewell, who had a transfer request rejected by Blues yesterday, Dann and Jerome were the only two movers on deadline day, so it really could have been worse for Chris Hughton and his management team, who already have the mammoth task of bringing in reinforcements for a tough Championship and Europa League campaign. And that brings me to the players coming into Blues yesterday.

The first deadline day addition came in the form of Jack Deaman; an 18-year-old who signed a one-year professional contract with the club, and a clear ‘one for the future’ singing by Hughton. A highly rated centre half, Deaman was realised by Welsh side Wrexham and after a successful trial period at the club was snapped up by Hughton and his management team.

After securing the loan signing of midfielder Guirane N’Daw early last week it looked like that would be the last summer signing, of note, to be made by Hughton. But late on last night the services of first Wade Elliott and then Pablo Ibanez were also secured.

Elliott, scorer of the magnificent goal which took Burnely into the top flight signed a two year deal late last night; much to the dismay and disappointment of Burnley fans who rate him highly. The midfielder spent the last six years at Turf Moor making 280 appearances, and the 32 year old adds a wealth of Championship experience to Hughton’s side.


A late move for Pablo Ibanez saw him leave near neighbours West Bromwich Albion to join Blues on a two year deal. The centre half came through the door just as Scott Dann left, and is an appropriate replacement for the much-loved Scouser. Ibanez, a Spanish International, was signed by West Brom from Atletico Madrid and so has Europa League experience – as well as Champions League appearances under his belt – and will prove a good squad player for Hughton to utilize with so many games to play already this season.

After a transfer window of players coming in on frees, spending money – although ‘undisclosed' so we don't yet know how much was spent – is a welcome change for the fans of Birmingham City, who hope to see their manager secure some loan signings in the next week or two to bolster the squad further.

The two outgoing players were expected, and after all we could have lost Ridgewell, Jean Beausejour – who was linked with a move to Wigan Athletic – or even worse Stephen Carr. So like I said: it could have been worse.

Midfield General

“Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future.” No one is perfect. Least of all Barry Ferguson. He knows it too, and that’s why he has this quote inked onto his arm. A reminder, not just to himself but to us all, that a person can have done things they may not be so proud of in the past – but the future can more than make up for it, and Ferguson’s past at Rangers was made up for by his contributions to Birmingham City.

He came with a wealth of talent when singing from Rangers at the beginning of the 2009/10 season. Controlling the midfield in 83 appearances whilst at Blues, he rarely gave the ball away and was renowned by fans and pundits alike for his precise passes and perfect ball control.

Although his past remained somewhat of a burden in the eyes of football fans and journalists, this didn’t influence him in his time at Blues at all. In central midfield he adopted a sweeping role in front of the defence, and became the pass master of the Birmingham team. He was the man whom seemed to keep everything linked together during the game, and in many games; play revolved around him.

His partnership with Lee Bowyer, another man with a past yet another man able to shake it off and get on with his game, was struck up as soon as they were placed into the same team. Since then both cemented their places in the side, with Ferguson becoming an integral part to Blues’ unbeaten run and ninth place finish in his first season at the club in his first season in the Midlands.

Another relationship Ferguson made whilst at Blues was a rekindled one with Alex McLeish. The pair knew each from their Rangers days when McLeish managed Ferguson; and Big Eck, obviously still impressed with the ex-Scotland international, employed Ferguson at Blues stating he had “unfinished business in England.” And that he did. His unsuccessful first crack at the Premier League with Blackburn was brushed under the carpet with his more than fruitful time at Blues coming to the forefront. His critics were warned what he was capable of, but little did they know he would fulfill such expectations installed into him by the man he put just as much faith in; Alex McLeish.

This determined attitude has one major example: playing on with a broken rib in the Carling Cup Final. Every player gave 110% that day but to learn that Ferguson played the majority of the game with a severe injury shows just how determined the Scotsman was to succeed, and to prove his adamant doubters wrong.

Like his midfield partner Lee Bowyer, Ferguson grew up during his time at Blues – if a thirty-three year old can grow up. Although his mind slipped into mischief making at times – the controversial ‘slap’ on Laurent Kosielney’s head after Obafemi Martins scored his 89th minute winner in the League Cup Final being one of them. But stunts like that don’t make him a villain. The professional side to Ferguson’;s game is what should be remembered. His ability to pick out a pass no one else could see; carrying the ball until someone was free for him to lay the ball off too; ‘taking on for the team’ as if were by picking up a second yellow card against Manchester City in 2009 to prevent them getting the ball too far up the pitch so near to the end of the game. The same happened at Wembley where he kicked the ball away after the whistle had been blown, so Arsenal had to wait to attack. What could be labeled as childish by the opposing team, it’s something you want in a player who plies their trade for your club. The fact he’d sacrifice his own position for the sake of the team as an entirety shows he stands out from many of the selfish footballers in the game nowadays. Also, in effect, living up to another phrase marked onto his body: carpe diem. Seize the day.

Being named players’ player of the year in 2009/10 showed that his fellow team mates also appreciated everything he did for the club, and for the no-nonsense midfielder life at Blues was thoroughly enjoyable. He once stated that the spirit at Birmingham was “the best spirit I have ever been involved in” adding that the players in the squad were “the best bunch of lads I’ve met.” And it was true. Pre-relegation, the team spirit was second to none. The last two seasons have been a whirlwind of emotions; new owners, an unbeaten run in our first year back in the top flight, a top half of the table finish and a Carling Cup Final win. The one thing that made our accomplishments achievable was the spirit throughout Birmingham City Football Club, and with vital players leaving like Barry Ferguson who epitomised such spirit, it feels as if everything we have built up over the past two years has just come crashing down around us.

A new era begins as we say an unwanted goodbye to those who brought us the biggest achievement this club has ever seen.

Goodbye Roger

It seemed inevitable that during the summer transfer window Roger Johnson would be leaving. As a player who has expressed his desire to continue playing at the top level, along with his will to get into the England team before it’s too late, the Premier League seemed the place for the no nonsense centre half. And that’s exactly where he has ended up.

An ever present in the Blues back-line since he signed from Cardiff in 2009, Roger Johnson struck up a great relationship with fellow players and most importantly, the fans of Birmingham City. His never say die attitude draws parallels with that of the Blues faithful, and it made him a likeable figure amongst the ranks from the word go.

Being part of the invincible Blues team in his first season at the club, Johnson created a magnificent partnership between himself and Scott Dann who also transferred to the club that Summer. The pair received massive praise with both being touted for an England call up, although neither have received one. Yet.

Unsurprisingly, Johnson’s main aspiration in moving from Birmingham to Wolves is to not only play in the top league of English football, but to try and gain a much deserved England call-up. Getting as close as emergency back-up last season is hopefully a taste of what is to come, however at twenty-eight he’s not getting any younger, and this may be his last chance.

The qualities he posseses should be enough to warrant said called up. Although not blessed with too much technical ability, and while his passing leaves much to be desired, his never say die attitude is quick to catch the eye of supporters, and his old fashioned ‘get it out of here’ ways made an instant impact on the Blues fans who fell in love with the rugged defender straight away.

Nicknamed ‘shyness’ on day one at Blues and with the philosophy that “you don't have to take the armband to be a captain”, Johnson has never been afraid to voice his opinion on and off the field. That’s him you can hear all the time telling players where to go and what to do. Shouting and swearing at his team mates because they aren’t putting in 110% is just Roger’s way. But that doesn’t mean to say he’s easily wound up or has low patience all of the time. Not once has he been sent off whilst wearing the royal blue of Birmingham, although he has been slapped by Jussi Jaaskelainen and ‘started on’ – of want of a better phrase – by Hugo Rodellega. Twice. Yet, his off the field bubbly personality is one that should be admired, and one that made his relationship with the Blues fans even stronger.

As an ever present in every single Premier League game in his two seasons at the club, Johnson seemed to relish playing through the pain barrier, as if it were a physical test for himself. No qualms for us though, because as fans that’s something we love to see in a player. Real determinism just to play the game they love playing and we love watching.

Sharing the same passion for the game as the fans in the stands, Johnson has been admired by Blues fans, especially those of a younger age whom look up to him as a player. His lovable nature has given him the status of ‘Blues favourite’ for the past two seasons and it will be a bitter pill to swallow to see him playing for a team we consider as our rivals.

After being linked with moves elsewhere, namely Sunderland who were quoted 14 million for the Surrey-born defender, Wolverhampton is the destination for Roger at half that price. It’s always sad to see a player leave, but it’s even more disappointing to lose one that did so much for the club in his short time here and had such a great player-fan relationship. Stating that it "wasn't an easy decision" and stating how much he enjoyed his time here makes it easier to wish him the best of luck in the future. His footballing ability may have been questioned from time to time, especially with the absence of Scott Dann, but his passion and desire have never been in doubt. Thank you Roger Johnson.

The never say die attitude; the all-important goal against West Ham in the semi-final of the Carling cup and the two years’ worth of courageous performances, as well as the laughs he has given us with his tantrums, arguments and all round great character, means the hole he leaves in the defence will be a hard one to fill.

The term legend is used far too loosely nowadays. Roger Johnson didn’t gain that status in his short-lived time at St. Andrews, however had things turned out differently and had he stayed for two or three more seasons; he may have just squeezed into that bracket.

Hopefully this is not the beginning of a selling spree. The compensation which was yesterday agreed for Alex McLeish should hopefully give a helping hand towards the dwindling financial situation, but I can’t help thinking a few more faces will be leaving in the next week or so.