Championship Season Preview 2006/07 – Birmingham City

Post by David Walker

Birmingham City

Odds: five/1

Very last Five Seasons2005/06 – 18 (Premiership, Relegated), 2004/05 – twelve (Premiership), 2003/04 – ten (Premiership), 2002/03 – thirteen (Premiership), 2001/02 – 5 (Championship, Promoted).

2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup Sixth Round vs Liverpool (h) – misplaced seven-.Carling Cup Quarter Ultimate vs Manchester United (h) – lost three-1.

Best Goal Scorer 2005/06: Mikael Forssell (striker) and Jiri Jarosik (midfield) – eight targets each.

Gamers InCameron Jerome (Cardiff Metropolis – £3,000,000), Stephen Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur – £750,000), Neil Danns (Colchester United – £500,000), Bruno N’Gotty (Bolton Wanderers – Totally free).

Players OutJermaine Pennant (Liverpool – £6,700,000), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic – £5,500,000), Kenny Cunningham (Sunderland – Free), Stan Lazaridis (Perth Glory – No cost), Nico Vaesen (Lierse – No cost), Jamie Clapham (Released), Chris Sutton (Introduced), Muzzy Izzet (Released), Mario Melchiot (Launched), Chris Cottrill (Introduced), James Dormand (Released), Sam Alsop (Released), Njazi Kuqi (Launched), Sam Oji (Introduced), David Howland (Released), Sone Aluko (Released).

Of the three teams relegated from the Premiership final time, Birmingham search possibly the best equipped to make an quick return to the top flight. Manager Steve Bruce has been clinical in who he has let go and has been shrewd with his purchases so far this summer.

Gone have numerous of final season’s ‘stars’, these kinds of as former captain Kenny Cunningham, Jamie Clapham, Mario Melchiot and Chris Sutton, whilst Muzzy Izzet has been pressured to retire. Bruce even managed to offer Emile Heskey for £5.five million to Wigan Athletic. Bruce has appointed Damien Johnson, who joined the club from Blackburn Rovers for £100,000 in 2002, as the new club captain.

In arrives a group of hungrier youthful gamers, two of whom are confirmed performers outside of the top flight. Cardiff City striker Cameron Jerome, who scored 20 objectives previous season, arrived in an original £3 million deal which could rise to £4 million while Colchester United midfielder Neil Danns arrived for an initial £500,000 which could rise to £850,000. Former Blackburn Rovers trainee Danns netted sixteen goals for promoted Colchester final season and attracted attention from several clubs in the Championship.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Stephen Kelly joined the club for an original £750,000 which could rise to £1.25 million relying on appearances while veteran Bruno N’Gotty signed a 1 year deal following his release from Bolton Wanderers. Nevertheless, attempts to lure Fulham striker Collins John to the club had been unsuccessful.

VerdictThe dead wood has been shipped out an replaced by players keen to impress. Steve Bruce has signed two of the most promising players in the Football League in Jerome and Danns and have been made the bookmakers favourites at five/1. They might not win the division outright but look able of automated marketing.

About the Author

David Walker runs no cost bets and fruit machine cheats websites. A free e mail program: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is available at the two of these sites.