BCFC Board: Transfers and Money

Harry Redknapp was not a happy man after Birmingham City collapsed to a 2-0 defeat at home to Reading in the Championship. The result left Blues lying in 20th heading into the first international break of the season, with only four days left in the transfer window to bring in new players.

Birmingham City FC

I thought the transcript of Redknapp’s interview with the Birmingham Mail was revealing – not just for what the Blues boss said, but what I think was implied.

You go round in circles and round in circles. I’ve said many times people can talk all the rubbish they want to talk, you don’t win 2 out of 25 if you’re good enough.

I’ve said all along I’m not going to walk in here with a magic wand and suddenly turn them into world beaters.

I get the impression Redknapp is far from impressed with the squad he inherited and once again, as he did at Burton he dug out those players he inherited from Gianfranco Zola’s disastrous regime for not having the desired quality in the Championship.

It’s not just what he actually says though.

To me, the implication of this quote is that players have complained that they have been sidelined due to new signings and he’s dismissed that by saying they aren’t good enough to be in the team.

However, I don’t think that is the most damning thing he says.

When talking about transfers, there are two quotes that stand out. The first is:

Okay we’ve brought some bodies in, we’ve bought some young kids in who are going to be good players, but we needed some men in here with a bit of experience to come and make the difference.

while he says this about transfer funds remaining

I had a budget I was given and to be honest I haven’t spent anywhere near…. I haven’t even broke into that hardly.

It’s been a case of we’ve taken loans (players).

The owners have been very good, they’ve given me a transfer budget and there’s still an awful lot of money from that left.

But it needs to be spent now really.

I think most people have inferred that Redknapp is unhappy with the negotiations performed by Jeff Vetere and Darren Dein but I wonder if there is more to it than that.

Before I go any further, I want to make this clear this is my speculation and my speculation only – and that as with anything I or anyone else writes, it should be questioned and treated with scepticism.

I can’t help but feel while the amount of money available to Redknapp is right, that he is frustrated with the players that are being brought in, the ones the club have “got across the line”.

Look at the protracted chase for Stewart Downing, and the abortive moves for John Terry, Ashley Cole and Robbie Keane.

The latest on Afriye Acquah, where it appears Blues have not even had a bid accepted for the Ghanaian international.

Is there a possibility that the board are trying to force Harry to concentrate on younger players rather than experience?

Is there a possibility that the board are actively blocking deals for players where they think there is no value beyond this season, or where the price has been forced too high?

I think the next four days are going to be the most interesting of the window because we will see just how much the Blues board are willing to spend to fund Redknapp’s promotion charge.

On the one hand, if Blues go out and sign older, experienced players and / or someone for an inflated fee, then fair enough – the Board are backing Redknapp to the hilt and maybe I’m reading it wrong.

However, if September 1 arrives without the additions Redknapp is crying out for, then I have no doubt in my mind Redknapp’s knee will start twinging again.

Ren Xuandong, it’s over to you.

One thought on “BCFC Board: Transfers and Money”

Leave a Reply