Birminham City - The Full Review (Birmingham United F.C.)

Member Name: nj3591

Product:	Birmingham United F.C.
Date:	16/08/04 (102 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great New Signings, Good Attack, Can get into Europe!

Disadvantages: Small Stadium

Big spending Birmingham City have signed 6 players and sold 6. With players such as Emile Heskey and Muzzy Izzet Joining an already strong team, the club could be challenging for Europe this season.


Players In:

Emile Heskey ? Liverpool - £6,250,000
Birmingham City?s major signing of the season was England striker Emile Heskey. Heskey had a bad time at Liverpool so moved to the Midlands club for just over £6 Million. Expected to partner Mikael Forssell up Front.

Jesper Gronkjaer ? Chelsea - £2,200,000
The Dane left big spending Chelsea in an attempt to get Regular first team football. Birmingham beat off competition From Valencia and Sevilla.

Julian Gray ? Crystal Palace ? Free
Julian Gray was a major part in Crystal Palace?s promotion to the Premiership. Out of contract so Birmingham could sign him for free.

Muzzy Izzet ? Leicester City ? Free
The Turkish Midfielder left his club in the same Circumstances as Gray. Plays along side Savage in The Blues Midfield.

Mario Melchiot ? Chelsea ? Free
Dutch Central Defender who left for Regular First team football. Good signing to boost their defensive qualities.


Mikael Forssell ? Chelsea ? Loan
Top goal-scorer last season for Birmingham, will be at the club this season to Partner Heskey Up-Front.


Players Out:

Darren Purse ? West Brom - £750,000
Central Defender sold to Premiership new boys West Brom for just under £1 Million.

Aliou Cisse ? Portsmouth - £300,000
Senegalese Midfielder joins Portsmouth for less than Half a Million. Wasn?t needed at St. Andrews.

Bryan Hughes ? Charlton ? Free
Hot Prospect left For Charlton after his contract expired. Good signing for Charlton, one for the Future.

Chad Sheppard ? Tamworth ? Free
Left for little seaside town of Tamworth for Nothing, wasn?t needed at Birmingham.

Tom Williams ? Barnsley ? Free

Sold to Ex Premiership outfit Barnsley. Ran Out of contract and had no chance of getting in the first team.

Andrew Barrowman ? Blackpool ? Loan
Will be used as Back-up for the first team during his loan spell at Blackpool. Might not be at St. Andrews next Season.


Chances of Winning the Premiership:
Not a strong enough team yet, no major player like Vieira or Keane. Could Aim For Europe.

Chances of Getting Relegated:
Not this season. Higher Expectations and good signings.

My Prediction: 7th


Birmingham City Facts:
Manager: Steve Bruce
Stadium: St. Andrews
Nickname: The Blues
Captain: Kenny Cunningham
Best Goalkeeper: Maik Taylor
Best Defender: Matt Upson
Best Midfielder: David Dunn
Best Attacker: Emile Heskey
Premiership Openers: Portsmouth (A), Chelsea (H) and Manchester City (H).


Best Team

Mario Melchiot Matt Upson Kenny Cunningham (C) Jamie Clapham

David Dunn Robbie Savage Muzzy Izzet Jesper Gronkjaer


Emile Heskey Mikael Forssell


Thanks for Reading, nj3591

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