Nail Biting Blues!
Filed under: Blues News, General Football, Kev's Ramblings, Matches
We have another article from Sporting Intelligence. Originally posted here.
Read below:
Wenger an Easy Rider as Blues take Cup break from Premier League dramas
By Brian Sears 5 March 2010
If we define a nail-biting game as one in which the result could be changed with the last kick of the match, then they’re becoming rarer in the Premier League. Never before this season has the percentage of nail-biters been as low as this campaign.
In the first season of the Premier League, as many as 67.3 per cent of top-flight league games were nail biters, with just one goal at most separating the teams at the final whistle.
That rose to 68.2 per cent in 1993-94 and has settled at pretty much the mid-60s in percentage terms in every season since, with lows of 61.6 per cent in 2005-06 then 61.3 per cent on 2007-08. This season? Just 59 per cent of games have been nail-biters.
Arsenal are the least nail-biting team; just nine of their 28 games (or 32 per cent) would have seen a different result with a last-kick goal. Burnley have seen fewer nail-biters than most clubs (48 per cent), but whereas Arsenal’s games are not nail-biters because they normally win so easily, Burnley’s aren’t nail-biters because they lose so heavily.
That’s why today’s match between Arsenal and Burnley at The Emirates is as unlikely to be a nail-biter as any game we’ve seen so far this season, statistically speaking. Arsene Wenger should be one easy rider this afternoon, watching his men speed past the clarets from Lancashire.
At the other end of the nail-biting spectrum, Birmingham really know how to put their fans through the mill: 24 of their 27 league games this season have been nail-biters, or 89 per cent, a whopping percentage that makes them by far the most nerve-racking side to follow.
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Thankfully their fans get a break from the league nerves this weekend as Birmingham play at Portsmouth in the FA Cup (see ‘Omens’ below). The pair last met in the FA Cup in 1977, and Brum won, 1-0. Personally, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Reading v Aston Villa on Sunday. If Villa win, as they did the last time these sides met in the Cup, then it’s ‘Hurt Locker’ for Best Picture at the Oscars, we say.
Portsmouth v Birmingham City – FA Cup preview
Team News
Blues have a doubt over James McFadden who missed the midweek Scotland game through injury. However this could just be one of those injuries that appears for international friendlies and then disappears just as quickly.
For Portsmouth ex-Blue Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Jamie O’Hara are doubtful and Anthony Vanden Borre is deinitely out.
Last Meeting
The sides last met in August where a David James aberration allowed James McFadden to hand Blues victory from the penalty spot.
Recent Form
Blues league form has dipped of late with only twos win in six. In between that we have had good results in the cup despite being drawn away every time.
Portsmouth had a good win away at Burnley last week which followed shortly after their excellent cup victory over local rivals Southampton. They have not won at home since the fourth round of the cup and have only done so four times all season.
Outlook
So it’s almost upon us. The biggest game of the season so far with a place at Wembley up for grabs and only doomed Portsmouth in our way. Should be easy then. Well no. When the draw was made a lot of people were happy because despite being drawn away again we would play against a team that might not even be in existence come the match. As it is Portsmouth are not only still around, they have a new lease of life and will be focusing solely on the cup. After all the income from a Wembley semi-final will pay off a few of their debts.
To be honest I’m not too optimistic for this one but then I also said that about the Everton game in the fourth round. I don’t think it would be a bad result for it to be a draw and it to go to a replay at St Andrews. I’d fancy us to win that. One thing’s for certain it can’t go as bad as our last FA Cup quarter final in 2006! It’s definitely going to be a nervy affair and I can imagine the home crowd will put aside their off field worries for the day and really get behind the team. As I’m sure our lucky 3000 will as well. If McFadden can’t make it then I hope Benitez gets a run out as while he doesn’t score many he always creates problems for defenses.
If you were lucky enough to get a ticket enjoy the game and make plenty of noise. The rest of us will be watching on the telly, possibly from behind the sofa.
My prediction 1-1. Blues to win the replay.
As the Blues Announce a Loss – We Ask, is it Bad News?
(This is a re-publish due to a technical problem!)
Andy has given me permission to re-produce his latest article. I have made some comments after it.
Kev
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Birmingham City record pre-tax losses of £20.5million
By Andy Walker
BIRMINGHAM City’s successful promotion push last season came at a hefty cost, after it emerged that the club recorded a pre-tax loss of £20.5 million.
The astonishing figure has been revealed in the club’s audited financial statement for the year ending August 31 2009, therefore a debt amassed under the former owners.
The directors’ report blames the huge loss on ‘the decision taken by the previous members of the board to retain most of their playing staff from the previous Premier League season’.
That decision to arm Alex McLeish with a squad on top flight wages in the Championship saw Blues fork out staff costs of £27.1 million in 2009, compared to £26.6 million the previous year.
That was further hit by a fall of over £22 million (44.8 per cent) in turnover, including match receipts, broadcasting and commercial income.
The accounts will further infuriate Blues’ new owners, who already strongly feel that they were misled during last year’s takeover.
The Carson Yeung camp were fuming when they discovered that the previous owners had paid themselves advanced 2010 management fees worth £420,000, after which an offer from David Sullivan to pay back half was turned down, not to mention ex-MD Karren Brady’s controversial £1 million severance package.
While Yeung paid £1-a-share to buy Blues in October, the Chinese now believe that 30p-a-share would have been a fairer price.
A Blues source told the Birmingham Mail that the current board weren’t yet willing to comment publicly on the hefty pre-tax loss, largely as they feel that the figures speak for themselves.
The recent report also warns that, when it comes to McLeish’s future transfer kitty, the purse strings may have to be tightened in order to address last year’s loss.
It reads: “The acquisition of players and their related payroll costs are deemed the core activity risk and, whilst assisting the manager in improving the playing squad, the board is mindful of the pitfalls that are inherent in this area of the business.
“The aim is therefore to manage these costs whilst being as competitive as possible within the club’s financial constraints.”
However, former co-owner Sullivan defended the previous Blues board. Sullivan insists that they made no secret of a financial problem at St Andrew’s during the final months of their tenure and pointed out that automatic promotion back to the Premier League proved that they were right to stick with an expensively-assembled squad in the Championship.
“We are surprised the figures are quite as high as this,” admitted Sullivan. “We had a policy of retaining the squad to get back up which we thought was the correct policy and was vindicated because the club got promotion at the first opportunity automatically.
“Last summer we knew the club had a financial problem as we publicly stated we loaned it £5 million to pay the deposits on two new players because there was no money to do that.
“Some of the losses are the way accounting practices write players off over the period of their contracts although the money is paid over an early period.
“But I am sure the club will make £10-15 million in the Premier League this year.”
Originally found on Birmingham Mail dot Net.
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Firstly, it is very disappointing to have a loss announced. I’m sure there a number of fans who maybe are feeling concerned about the ability of the board – but as Andy has said, this last year and therefore the last board. But is it REALLY that bad?
When a club gets relegated, the reduction of television money – despite parachute payments – always goes down. I have read the reduction can be anything from 25-40%. Also there are other knock on effects. Lower attendances, less merchandise sold etc.
Obviously for a club like ours, the goal was to gain promotion immediately. As a result we were run as a Premier League side in the Championship, I suppose living the dream on a smaller scale.
It was inevitable that we were going to make a loss. Like it says in the article we could wipe that out this season, and we already know we will be in the league again next season, financially a real positive.
Reading the article, it appears that the new board didn’t have a clue that this loss was there. I’m a bit confused about this. Maybe I’m thick, but before Carson took over – we were a public company weren’t we? Which meant that if we were going to be taken over the accounts had to be revealed. Meaning that either the previous board hid key information or the new board didn’t read it properly. I doubt we’ll know for sure.
I’m concerned that this will re-start the spat between the present board and the former board. I hope not.
Over all I don’t think this is particularly bad news, as I have said we have every chance of breaking even this season.
I’m sure there will be some who will look at this and see it as a negative, but I’d encourage you to keep your chin up and give the board a couple of seasons to prove themselves.
2nd Supporters Clubs and Blues Websites Meeting
Filed under: Blues News, Blues Supporters Clubs / Websites, Kev's Ramblings
Last weekend prior to the Wigan game, myself and Aylesburyblue attended the second supporters club / website owners meeting. I felt it was a very positive time, with a real sense that the club want to improve us everywhere and not just on the pitch.
Here are the notes I took:
Supporters Club Meeting
There was an agenda which we kept to pretty well. These are the notes I made during the meeting.
1. Toilets
The club are treating this issue with the utmost urgency. They recognise that the toilets especially in the main stand need sorting.
They have put a working party together to try and deal with this. The ladies toilets are being looked at to try and make them more feminine. Also during the 1st half, all the toilets will be cleaned ready for the half time rush. The problem with the lack of water should be sorted within the next two weeks as there is a new water supply being bought into the club to cope with the flush and hand washing facilities. Hot water is further away, however is also being looked at.
2. Sound System
Again this is another issue that is regularly complained about. During the Everton game, engineers will be in the ground to try and work out which settings will be best to ensure that the overall sound quality is acceptable. The stewards will be primed to take feedback from supporters. Further away, x16 amplified speakers are going into the Kop at the back to give a better coverage which should mean the volume can be reduced. It was mentioned that the main stand speakers often feedback, that was noted as would be added to the information to be given to the engineers.
It was also agreed that we would NOT use celebration music like some grounds do!!
3, 4. Season Tickets / Ticketing – Away travel
(This section is still to be agreed by the board – but is expected to be so)
This was the area we spent the most time on, for obvious reasons! Season ticket holders will not be offered the 10% discount this year because we now know we will be in the Premier League. It was offered last year as it was uncertain at the time if we would be promoted or not.
When ST holders get their renewals, they will be able to see exactly what they are saving as they will see how many category matches there are in each category and how much they would cost for match day tickets. It is thought that the saving over the season will be around 22%. The interest free payment offer will remain, but over 5 months rather than 4. U8 ST will also remain at no cost.
Concessions are also being adjusted slightly. The concession breaks will be for Under 8, Under 12, Under 18 instead of 16. Student concessions will now apply to Under 23’s instead of U21. Concessions will also apply all over the ground.
The only reduced match tickets will be made available through season ticket holders. It is recognised that there is no financial benefit, so there will be an incentive such as a club shop voucher if ST holders get tickets for friends. More on this soon.
It was recognised that the turnstyles can be a problem and this is being looked at to see how it can be improved.
It was decided that the ATC will end at the end of this season. From now ALL away tickets will be made available to ST holders 1st, Then those who regularly buy away tickets. (For the new season the club will look at this season for you). Then general release.
It is essential that when you buy an away ticket that you give your name and address so the club KNOW you have got the ticket especially if you are looking to get tickets for one of the attractive fixtures. If you are buying more than one, ensure you pass the info for the people you are buying them for.
IF we make the Semi-final, the same ticketing process will apply as did for the QF.
5. Away Fans
We don’t rate well with away fans for friendliness, the club want to change this. Away fans bring 1.1 Million into the club over the season. They will remain in the Gil Merrick lower, however the family stand will probably move.
2nd Supporter Meeting 27/2/10
6 / 7 Facilities / Catering
Again it is recognised we need to improve things, especially in the main stand. Next season catering is being bought back internally as the club believe they can do it cheaper and better quality. More about this to come. Also the club are looking at re-introducing tray vendors.
8. Merchandise
The club is currently looking at 2 city centre stores for a new location for a shop. This will be in place for the new season. Once this is established, they will also look at a location in Touchwood. The club are conscious that the store will need to look professional; and they want to improve the quality of the products offered. The deal has been done with xstep for our shirts. Umbro saw us as a small club and we were well down the list often waiting months for stuff as well as having to pay for everything up front. Xstep are more flexible. They offer a 6 week turnaround for our merchandise, and also say that the new shirts will be available before the summer.
The new designs, (all are Blue!), will be made public soon and we as fans will get to vote on the one we like. This will happen around the Everton at home game.
9. Board of Directors / Club Finances
It was said that we are likely to see some players leave the club in the summer, and there will definitely players coming in to strengthen the side. We are looking at forwards.
In regard to January, MD revealed that the wage differential between top and bottom earners in the main 1st team squad was low by Premier League standards. He said a fee was agreed for one player, and close for another on transfer deadline day but the wages asked for were so out of sync with the rest of the squad AM didn’t want to do it for fear of upsetting the dressing room. Alex made it clear to the board that he wouldn’t be held ransom for players – and although they didn’t name names, it was said that we were messed about in January. Alex is in total control of the players.
Someone asked who the other investors were. Who are those behind Grandtop / Birmingham International. MD said it isn’t something the Chinese talk about. There seems to be a cultural thing, that business is private. Basically MD said he didn’t know – but was absolute that the money WAS there for the development of the club and the team.
10 AOB
Museum
The club have bought a large collection of Blues memorabilia and have decided to open a museum, (the old subway shop). The intention is to open it one day a week initially coupled with a stadium tour for around £5 for adults and £2.50 for kids. They were very excited about it!
Pre-Season Tour
The club will be going to Hong Kong and China in the summer for two weeks for a tour. This will obviously help to promote the club. The club will be doing travel packages, however we were warned that they won’t be cheap!
Gil Merrick Memories
I received the following e-mail from Sarah Gould today, regarding the forthcoming memorial service for Gil Merrick. I have a story that one of our members told me that I will be passing on. Either contact Helen – or send it to me via our contact page and I will make sure the club receive it.
Anyway, the e-mail:
As you may be aware we are holding a memorial to commemorate the life of Gil Merrick on the 14th March 2010. I am contacting you to ask if you or any of your members have any memories of Gil that would like to featured during the memorial on the 14th March 2010.
See attached story and if your club would like to be mentioned please e-mail my colleague Helen Tims direct at the following e-mail address. helen.tims@bcfc.com
http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1981897,00.html
Kind regards
Sarah Gould
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