Deadline Day Summary – What an Afternoon!
Aug 31st, 2010 | By KevB8ll | Category: Blues News, Kev's Ramblings, Lead Article, PlayersI’m sat here absolutely breathless with the events of this afternoon – it’s been fantastic.
Over the weekend the Charles N’Zogbia deal fell through apparently because of the player’s “demands.” As the weekend went on, stories started to appear of us being linked with 4 players. Those were former Arsenal Midfielder Alexander Hleb, Defenders Martin Jiranek and Armand Traore and Chilean winger Jean Beausejour.
On the forums and on twitter, fans were discussing how many would we sign, would we sign anyone? After a couple of disappointing transfer windows – I think it’s fair to say that Blues fans were desperate for the club to deliver.
As the afternoon wore on, it was clear that Armand Traore wasn’t going to be coming to St Andrews. Juventus had approached him, and I guess you can’t blame him for wanting to go to a club like that.
Just after that disappointing news, we get the first bit of good news. The confirmation of the signing of Spartak Moscow captain Martin Jiranek for an undisclosed fee.
The 31-year-old is a Czech Republic international with Champions League experience, and will provide valuable cover for our “light” (I mean in regard to the number of players).
Fast on the heels of that announcement, came the big announcement that Midfielder Alexander Hleb had signed on a year long loan. This is an AWESOME signing!
It was made even better with the news that it looks like he turned down Spurs, Liverpool and Benfica because the Blues “wanted it more!” Mr N’Zogbia take note!
Hleb was on loan at VfB Stuttgart last season. He is an attacking midfielder and will obviously bring some extra quality in the middle of the park.
The final bit of business was completed with just a few minutes of the window left. Chilean midfielder Jean Beausejour
The 26-year-old has left Mexican side Club America and joined the club on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He played in the World Cup scoring the only goal in his side’s 1-0 win over Honduras.
He is a left sided winger who will be a very welcome addition to the club.
Over all this has been a very successful afternoon. Yes it would have been great to get another defender and possibly another forward, but I don’t think anyone can criticise the club at all.
I’d be very interested to hear what you Blues fans think about the signings.
A HUGE well done to the club for the events of this afternoon.
Kev
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Overall very solid transfer window I think. Foster hopefully a great signing if he can stay fit. Bit worried that Zigic may be a flop although I can already see how he can draw men away in set pieces to open it up for Johnson, Dann, Ridge and Jerome with the head.
I think the squad is filling out nicely as a solid mid table side with depth of cover and we’ve spent sensibly with you massive splash outs. We were so lucky last year with injuries, but now I think there is a bit more back up as they will inevitably happen.
Plus previously our first team was okay but we didn’t have any kind of threat from the bench that could change a game. Now we should have some interesting options. Any of Jez, Ziggy and Derby coming on could have impact as could Bowyer, Hleb or Fadders. Won’t be sorry that Fahey drops down the order.
I’m glad we didn’t get lumbered with the obviously stroppy N’Zogbia. Greed and arrogance seem too common these days. It is going to be hard for us to step up a level until we are better established like Fulham and we are likely to get offered the problem kids.
Shame we missed Mussa Dembele. Liked the look of him.
Would like to see a young attacking Carr replacement in January as I’m a bit worried he will struggle this year and really hope Derbyshire can step up to the plate and we can use Jerome as an impact sub. A quality striker to replace O Connor would be good too if there is anyone decent at a reasonable price in Jan.
I did think with the new 25 man squad we might be able to pick up some more top five cast offs. Bellamy, Ireland or Bendtner would have been good.
KRO
anyone with any ideas for the strongest starting 11? presuming zigic settles well, i’d go for a 451 with:
foster
carr, johnson, dann, ridgewell
hleb, larrson, gardner, ferguson, beausejour
zigic
leaves us with loads of extra cover: taylor, jiranek, mcfadden, jerome, bowyer, murphy. weakest link in that team is probably carr. wouldnt it be great if larrson could be converted into a solid right back?
I am in Spain at the moment so missed out on all the transfers as they happened. Just catching up on the Internet now. I am really impressed at the signings. The 2 midfielders will give us much needed attacking options. I think we have struggled to connect the midfield to the attack this season. Although we have been scoring plenty of goals for a change, worryingly we are letting in too many. Johnson was my favourite player last season along with Danny but they have had no competition for places. Ridgewell is great at left back and murphy can cover to a degree. The new centre back will give competition and options. My real worry is carr, he was great last season but looks to be struggling a bit this season. I suppose we have parnaby as cover when he is fit. I think Derbyshire looks sharp and refreshing and I am sure he will bag double figures with our 2 new attacking players. I really hope zigic clicks. He has looked a bit lost so far both on his own and with his team mates. Great work Alex. Some exciting times ahead. Let’s work hard at the back and keep out the goals. Upfront I think we will see our best goal haul for some years. Can’t wait for each game. Europe next season???…why not!
KRO
Hleb and the Chilean lad are brilliant signing’s for the club, im feeling a little sorry for Mikel though, i have watched him before he even came to blues and he is brilliant, hope its not the end for Valles too? All in all very good day, hope Foster stays fit and Zigic can play like he did in spain! So glad now we never signed the greedy over hyped N’Zogbia. KRO
I’m an Arsenal season ticket holder and can tell you that you have bought some player in Hleb. Arguably our best player the season before he left us. Very technically good, hard worker, great passer and very skillful. IOnly downside is his finishing really. Unbelievable signing for you guys