Promoted Sides - Birmingham

Article by Dion Spikes

Birmingham continue to demonstrate classic yo-yo club tendencies, flitting between the PL and Championship during the last few years. Supporters let their vehement disgust with owners Sullivan and Gold be known on the last day of 2007/08, however to their credit the board backed Alex McLeish in 2008/09, enabling a return to the top flight at the first attempt. Ardent Blue Noses will be keen to finally cement a place in the PL and avoid the usual flirtations with relegation.

Tactics and Playing Style

A side built on honest endeavour, City`s promotion campaign centered on a rock-solid defence, conceding only 37 times throughout the season.

They play a tight, compact 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 with the flanks players offering solidity and strength rather than mercurial wing-play. As a result, the team is hard to beat but may struggle to create chances in the PL.

Much of the credit for the defensive record should go to Liam Ridgewell who has flourished at St Andrews having joined from rivals Aston Villa in 2007 for 2Million. A strong and athletic defender who weighs in with his fair share of goals, Ridgewell will be looking to firmly establish himself at PL level. Stuart Parnaby and Frank Queudrue enjoyed excellent seasons at full-back, Queudrue in particular completing something of a renaissance. Having being transferred-listed in July 2008, Queudrue worked hard to win his place back and his transformation was confirmed when he was voted player of the year for 2008/09 by the fans. Mention must also be made of Maik Taylor, the Northern Irish international who enjoyed another consistent season between the sticks. A brave and committed keeper, Taylor is a phenomenal shot-stopper. Although prone to drop the occasional howler, McGleish acknowledged that the performances of Taylor throughout the season were worth 10 goals plus to City.

In midfield, Lee Carsley proved a revelation following his transfer from Everton. The archetypal “war-horse” in centre midfield, Carsley has a proven PL pedigree and, subject to his legs lasting the season, should provide a firm foundation for City. Lee Bowyer is another player who knows what it takes to be successful at the highest level and seems to have won the fans over after an inauspicious start.

It is in attack that Birmingham seem to have a weakness and they may struggle to score enough goals to survive. Kevin Phillips, although a proven performer, will surely struggle to maintain a consistent level of performance in the PL due to his advancing years. Marcus Bent and Cameron Jerome do not look to possess enough quality to unlock PL defences so this is an area in which City may struggle. The addition of the talented Christian Benitez needs to be backed up with further additions, as the enigmatic James McFadden needs to add consistency to the two or three wonder goals he usually scores per season.

Manager

Big Eck will be chomping at the bit to demonstrate he can cut it at PL level. Having been appointed in November 2007, McLeish was unable to avoid relegation despite improving performances and making an inspired signing in Mauro Zarate, who went on to score some goals straight out of the top drawer. The ability to unearth similar unknown gems will be sorely needed if Birmingham are to succeed in 2009/10. McLeish enjoyed phenomenal success with Aberdeen during the 1980s and this may explain why City`s greatest strength is their defence. McLeish is an organizer first and foremost and will need all his wily nous for the miserly defensive record to continue in the PL.

Star Man

Sebastian Larsson

Having made his loan move from Arsenal permanent in January 2007 for 1Million, Larsson was a key performer during last year`s promotion campaign. A hard-working right midfielder with a good ability on the dead ball, he has proven ability at the highest level and proved too hot to handle for Championship sides. Consistent performances for City resulted in a call-up to Sweden`s national team in 2008 and he was taken to the European Championships in that year.

Larsson should ensure stability down the right flank for Birmingham and he will no doubt weigh in with some valuable strikes and assists. Perhaps short of a yard of pace to really cause problems at the PL, it will be interesting to see if he can live up to the early promise he showed as a youth player at Arsenal. Commitment to the cause and energy are guaranteed and Blue Noses will be hoping he can match these qualities with effective skill and technical ability.

One to Watch

Joe Hart

The acquisition of the England U-21 stopper from Manchester City on a season-long loan may turn out to be inspired. Hart enjoyed a fantastic U21 European Championship during the summer and was most unfortunate to be banned from the Final due to a yellow card collected in the penalty shoot out in the Semi-Final. An imposing figure at 6ft 3in, Hart has incredible athleticism and seems to possess a sound temperament. He will no doubt expect to be given the No 1 shirt at City, having pushed for a loan from the City of Manchester stadium due to his frustration at playing understudy to Shay Given. With the world seemingly in his hands, Hart also takes a mean penalty himself as he demonstrated during the summer. Goalkeepers tend to relish the opportunity to play in the lesser lights of the PL as it gives them consistent exposure and ensures they are tested throughout the season. Certainly Messrs Carson and Foster will testify to this. Hart could well see similar exposure levels leading to a full England call-up.

Transfers

City`s courtship of Christian Benitez was finally concluded on 7 July 2009 for a fee believed to be in the region of 8Million including add-ons. His strike rate at Mexican Champions Santos Laguna was phenomenal with 31 goals in just 58 appearances. If the experiences of his fellow Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia are any kind of yardstick, Benitez, may well turn out to be a smash hit. Possessing some outrageous skills, City fans will have been drooling at some of the footage from his time at Santos Laguna. Benitez himself certainly has confidence in his own ability, stating “I think it is the right time for Christian Benitez to take on the challenge of the Premier League” when unveiled at St Andrews for the first time.

City`s other main acquisition is the former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. But can the SPL king-pin turn it on in the PL? He endured a torrid time at Blackburn in his only other foray south of the border, however much of this can be put down to the injuries he suffered at the time. Certainly McLeish is a big admirer and will hope Bazza can reproduce his all-action style in the PL.

Other signings include Scott Dann from Coventry, Roger Johnson from Cardiff and Giovanny Espinoza. Johnson should be able to develop a PL level partnership with Liam Ridgewell and with the addition of Dann and Hart, the defence is looking top-notch and should be able to cope with most sides.

Prediction

16th

Will it be a case of 1-0 to the Birmingham during the forthcoming season? McLeish has again focused on his defence and it looks like a solid foundation has been assembled. The fact that the midfielders are also naturally defensive-minded should mean City will prove to be hard to break-down. However, real doubts remain as to the attacking flair that will be on exhibit during 2009/10. Christian Benitez may find the burden of shouldering the goal-scoring responsibilities in his first season too much of an ask. However, they should be hard to beat and should be able to consistently pick up points during the course of the season. Relegation should be avoided as McLeish looks to shake off the Yo-Yo tag.