Birmingham owner’s funds boast backfired: director
February 3, 2010
Carson Yeung’s pledge to give Birmingham manager Alex McLeish up to 40 million pounds to spend in the transfer market backfired as rival clubs racked up asking prices for players, a club director has reportedly admitted.
Yeung, the Birmingham owner, made his pledge shortly after taking over the club in October and Birmingham’s vice-chairman Peter Pannu believes the Hong Kong businessman would have been wise to be more discreet about his spending plans.
“It was not particularly helpful that our chairman indicated a desire to buy players in January and spend some money,” Pannu was quoted as saying by The Guardian. “I think that raised expectations among the clubs that we approached.”
McLeish had made a new striker his priority during the transfer window but Birmingham’s moves for Germany forward Kevin Kuranyi, Liverpool winger Ryan Babel, Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones and Tottenham’s Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko all came to nothing.
Pannu said the asking price for Pavlyuchenko had gone from 10 million pounds to 15 million plus during the course of negotiations with Spurs while Kuranyi’s wage demands doubled.
“We have every support possible from Carson,” Pannu stressed. “There is no problem there. The problem we have is the way some of these clubs have behaved. We have been messed around.”
Birmingham winger James McFadden meanwhile has backed team-mate Barry Ferguson to make a successful return to the Scotland squad following Craig Levein’s appointment as manager.
Ferguson was banished from the international set-up last season following an all-night drinking session between two World Cup qualifiers and a subsequent furore over obscene gestures he made to photographers.
Levein has promised a fresh start however and McFadden believes Ferguson, 32, has earned a recall on the strength of his outstanding form for Birmingham this season.
“Everybody that watches Birmingham can see what a good player Barry is,” McFadden said. “In his last year up in Scotland, he was maybe starting to doubt himself a little bit but he has come here and shown everybody exactly how good he is.
“He has been brilliant for Birmingham and a big part of the reason that we’ve had such a great run.
“I think he’s still got a big contribution to make in the international scene. I think it would be great for the country if Barry did come back in.”
BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, Barry, barry ferguson, Birmingham, CARSON, carson yeung, club director, craig levein, drinking session, England, fresh start, furore, Germany, Hong Kong, hong kong businessman, James McFadden, Jones, kenwyne jones, Kevin, Kevin Kuranyi, Liverpool, obscene gestures, pannu, Peter Pannu, russian international, ryan babel, scotland, scotland squad, Sunderland, team mate, tottenham, wage demands, winger, world cup qualifiersRelated posts
Ridgewell´s late strike frustrates Tottenham
January 31, 2010
Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell frustrated Tottenham’s push for the Champions League as his last-gasp equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Saturday.
Jermain Defoe looked to have consolidated Tottenham’s position in fourth place with a 69th-minute strike — his first Premier League goal of 2010.
But Birmingham avoided a second successive defeat when defender Ridgewell stole in at the far post to volley home in the last minute.
The draw left Tottenham just one point ahead of Liverpool as the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League hots up.
The only consolation for Harry Redknapp is the confirmation that defender Younes Kaboul will re-sign from Portsmouth in a five million pounds (5.8 million euros) deal that could save his former club from slipping into administration.
Birmingham’s recent form has been so impressive that Alex McLeish’s players, furious at losing for the first time in 16 games, reportedly confronted each other in the Stamford Bridge visitors’ dressing room in the aftermath of their 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday.
However, far from damaging the tremendous spirit that has made Birmingham a revelation this season, that defeat did not appear to have affected McLeish’s players.
Lee Bowyer almost gave the home side a fourth-minute lead when he was teed up by James McFadden but he shot straight at Heurelho Gomes.
Christian Benitez, the Ecuador international striker, bamboozled Michael Dawson on the edge of the area before sending a tame shot right into the arms of Tottenham’s keeper.
There was no Roman Pavyluchenko in the Spurs team for this encounter, with Birmingham’s second bid of nine million pounds for the Russian international reportedly having been turned down by Redknapp.
But David Bentley remained in the team after his impressive performance, and goal, against Fulham.
And the midfielder produced Spurs’ first genuine chance in the 34th minute when he cut inside and drove in a shot that was clawed around the post by Joe Hart.
Bentley also came close to shattering the boredom of a tedious game early in the second half when Gareth Bale’s cross eluded the Birmingham defence to find the England international, but his shot was kept out by Hart.
Spurs somehow failed to take the lead in the 57th minute. Defoe danced past a hesitant home defence and lost balance as he prepared to shoot, the ball rolling into the path of Peter Crouch who inexplicably placed his shot wide.
It did galvanise the visitors, however, and they forced a succession of corners as they battled for the opener.
And they finally secured the goal their steady pressure deserved when an unmarked Defoe lashed in Bale’s cross in the 69th minute.
Yet Birmingham pushed desperately for an equaliser and finally earned it through Ridgewell’s finish from Cameron Jerome’s flick.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, Birmingham, CHELSEA, christian benitez, David Bentley, dressing room, Ecuador, England, far post, first premier, fulham, Gareth Bale, genuine chance, Harry Redknapp, heurelho gomes, impressive performance, James McFadden, jermain defoe, Joe Hart, last gasp, league goal, Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, michael dawson, Portsmouth, premier league, russian international, st andrew, stamford bridgeRelated posts
Ridgewell´s late strike frustrates Tottenham
January 30, 2010
Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell frustrated Tottenham’s push for the Champions League as his last-gasp equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Saturday.
Jermain Defoe looked to have consolidated Tottenham’s position in fourth place with a 69th-minute strike — his first Premier League goal of 2010.
But Birmingham avoided a second successive defeat when defender Ridgewell stole in at the far post to volley home in the last minute.
The draw left Tottenham just one point ahead of Liverpool as the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League hots up.
The only consolation for Harry Redknapp is the confirmation that defender Younes Kaboul will re-sign from Portsmouth in a five million pounds (5.8 million euros) deal that could save his former club from slipping into administration.
Birmingham’s recent form has been so impressive that Alex McLeish’s players, furious at losing for the first time in 16 games, reportedly confronted each other in the Stamford Bridge visitors’ dressing room in the aftermath of their 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday.
However, far from damaging the tremendous spirit that has made Birmingham a revelation this season, that defeat did not appear to have affected McLeish’s players.
Lee Bowyer almost gave the home side a fourth-minute lead when he was teed up by James McFadden but he shot straight at Heurelho Gomes.
Christian Benitez, the Ecuador international striker, bamboozled Michael Dawson on the edge of the area before sending a tame shot right into the arms of Tottenham’s keeper.
There was no Roman Pavyluchenko in the Spurs team for this encounter, with Birmingham’s second bid of nine million pounds for the Russian international reportedly having been turned down by Redknapp.
But David Bentley remained in the team after his impressive performance, and goal, against Fulham.
And the midfielder produced Spurs’ first genuine chance in the 34th minute when he cut inside and drove in a shot that was clawed around the post by Joe Hart.
Bentley also came close to shattering the boredom of a tedious game early in the second half when Gareth Bale’s cross eluded the Birmingham defence to find the England international, but his shot was kept out by Hart.
Spurs somehow failed to take the lead in the 57th minute. Defoe danced past a hesitant home defence and lost balance as he prepared to shoot, the ball rolling into the path of Peter Crouch who inexplicably placed his shot wide.
It did galvanise the visitors, however, and they forced a succession of corners as they battled for the opener.
And they finally secured the goal their steady pressure deserved when an unmarked Defoe lashed in Bale’s cross in the 69th minute.
Yet Birmingham pushed desperately for an equaliser and finally earned it through Ridgewell’s finish from Cameron Jerome’s flick.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, Birmingham, Cameron Jerome, CHELSEA, christian benitez, David Bentley, dressing room, Ecuador, England, far post, first premier, fulham, Gareth Bale, genuine chance, Harry Redknapp, heurelho gomes, impressive performance, James McFadden, jermain defoe, Joe Hart, last gasp, league goal, Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, Liverpool, michael dawson, peter crouch, Portsmouth, premier league, russian international, st andrew, stamford bridgeRelated posts
Spurs visit underlines Birmingham progress
January 30, 2010
Harry Redknapp underlined the remarkable job carried out by Alex McLeish this season when he observed recently that Birmingham could not be discounted in the race for a top four finish in the Premier League.
It was not something the Tottenham boss would have said when the two clubs met at White Hart Lane back in August, at which point McLeish’s squad were still seen as more likely candidates for relegation than European football.
McLeish would surely walk the manager of the year award if the season were to finish now and, although Chelsea ended Birmingham’s 15-match unbeaten run in midweek, Tottenham know they face a serious test when the two clubs resume hostilities at St Andrews on Saturday.
An added time winner from England winger Aaron Lennon secured the points for Spurs in the first meeting and their defender Sebastien Bassong admitted he had been surprised how well Birmingham have done since.
“I think a lot of people are very surprised about what they’ve done, but if they’re in this position after more than 20 games then maybe they deserve this position,” Bassong said. “They’re playing well and they’ve got no pressure, so it’s a good time for them.”
The defender added: “We saw how difficult they are to beat earlier in the season at White Hart Lane. Aaron scored the winning goal in the 95th minute or something, and I think it’s going to be the same type of game again. But we played well on Tuesday (in a 2-0 win over Fulham) and we will try to do the same on Saturday.”
Tottenham, who go into the match sitting in fourth place in the table, are hoping to have completed the loan signing of Eidur Gudjohnsen from Monaco by Saturday although it appeared unlikely the Icelandic forward would be involved at St Andrews.
McLeish is also battling to add a high-profile signing to his ranks before the transfer window slams shut, with Spurs misfit Roman Pavyluchenko and Lens striker Aruna Dindane among his potential targets.
He was promised up to 40 million pounds by Hong Kong tycoon Carson Yeung but has only recruited two midfielders – Craig Gardner and Miguel Marcos Michel – so far, to the tune of around five million.
It promises to be a interesting few days for the former Scotland coach, who has made no secret of his desire to bring in at least one forward.
“I’ve given the board a couple of names, and I’m hoping they will get something done for us,” he said. “The strikers need help. Kevin Phillips has a small injury and we need to add something to help the others because we’ll burn them out playing these guys every week of the season.
“I’m fearful they will lose a little edge if we do, so an extra striker would spice things up a wee bit.”
McLeish admitted that his side faces a test of character after the end of their unbeaten run. “It’s a new challenge for them because they have not been in this position for a long time,” he said.
“It’s now how they react.
“We knew that someday we would drop points and we have gone over old experiences.
“Manchester United have gone on unbeaten runs knowing that one day they would lose. It’s coping with that and not beating up ourselves over the Chelsea defeat.
“The good thing about the Chelsea game was that afterwards I could see in the dressing room that the players were really upset and cared. You can tell a player’s character when you get that sort of reaction.
“We haven’t achieved anything. They say pride comes before a fall so we do not want to be thumping the drums until we have done something.
“The Chelsea game was a little reminder that we still have some hard work ahead of us. I do not judge my team over a season on what happened at Stamford Bridge.”
BIRMINGHAM (AFP)
Tags: added time, alex mcleish, dindane, first meeting, good time, gudjohnsen, Harry Redknapp, high profile, hostilities, Monaco, premier league, relegation, remarkable job, spurs, st andrews, time winner, tycoon, white hart lane, wingerRelated posts
Dindane set for Blues
January 29, 2010
Lens’ Aruna Dindane looks set to move to Birmingham after the two clubs have reportedly agreed a fee for the forward. Dindane is currently on loan at Portsmouth but will apparently leave the financially-struggling club.
The Ivory Coast international was due to spend the entire season at Portsmouth. However, ongoing financial troubles at Pompey could mean that the loan agreement could be soon terminated.
Pompey are desperate to lower their wage bill and Dindane looks set to be among the Fratton Park stars who will be heading for the exit.
The Blues have money to spend during the January transfer window. Alex McLeish has prioritized bolstering his attacking line with the available funds.
Dindane has spent the last five years on the books of French outfit Lens. He also played for Belgian side Anderlecht.
Dindane’s next transfer looks set to take place as he now appears close to move to St Andrews.
Tags: alex mcleish, anderlecht, Andrews, aruna dindane, Birmingham, entire season, financial troubles, Fratton Park, Ivory Coast, loan agreement, money, pompey, Portsmouth, st andrewsRelated posts
Levein wants Ferguson back in Scotland squad
January 26, 2010
Scotland manager Craig Levein is aiming to convince former captain Barry Ferguson to return to international duty along with Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd.
Levein, whose first game in charge is an international friendly against the Czech Republic on March 3, has confirmed Boyd and McGregor are in his thoughts after discussions with the Rangers duo.
Now he hopes he can have a similar conversation with former Rangers midfielder Ferguson, now playing under former Gers boss Alex McLeish at English Premier League Birmingham City.
“I very much want him to be part of the international set-up, I think he’s one of our best players,” Levein told BBC Radio Scotland on Monday.
Ferguson and Rangers goalkeeper McGregor were banned for life for their behaviour before and during a World Cup qualifier against Iceland in April.
The pair were dropped after an all-night drinking session and then made V signs at photographers from the bench.
Boyd withdrew when former manager George Burley was in charge after being overlooked repeatedly.
Meanwhile former Dundee United manager Levein will look to expand Scotland’s player pool by compiling an extensive dossier of eligible players.
Levein and scout Michael Oliver plan to contact every agent in the UK in a bid to assess who could qualify for the country, either through established bloodline or the new five-year school rule.
“What we are trying to do is establish everybody – in the UK first and foremost – who is eligible to play for Scotland,” Levein told www.scottishfa.co.uk.
“In the past, we’ve relied on word of mouth or maybe speaking to managers, coaches and, sometimes, even physios down in England who say ‘Do you know so-and-so has a Scottish grandmother?’.
“In the past we’ve had some fantastic players for Scotland who were born in England but qualified through parentage or grandparents.
“The rules are there and every other country in the world uses them.
“My main aim is to help Scotland qualify for the European Championships in 2012 and, in order to achieve that, I think that the player database is a fairly sensible idea.
“I want the best players available and, to get the best players available, we need to know who they are and where they are.”
Scotland have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.
GLASGOW (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, Allan McGregor, barry ferguson, birmingham city, bloodline, Boyd, captain barry, captain Barry Ferguson, craig levein, czech republic, drinking session, Dundee, dundee united, eligible players, England, English, English Premier League, european champions, Ferguson, first game, former rangers, France, george burley, Glasgow, Iceland, michael oliver, parentage, player pool, radio scotland, rangers, scotland, scottishfa, world cup qualifierRelated posts
McLeish impressed by Birmingham´s hunger for success
January 24, 2010
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish believes his side’s FA Cup fourth round victory against Everton proves they have the hunger and ability to win the competition.
Goals from Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson put the Blues ahead at Goodison Park and they held on for a 2-1 success despite Leon Osman?s second-half strike for the Toffees.
Birmingham have been the surprise package this season and are now unbeaten in 15 matches.
That has seen them transformed from relegation favourites to contenders for a Europa League position, while this win also means they now have to be considered as a danger side in the last 16 of the FA Cup.
“I thought the players showed great composure and two go in at half-time 2-0 up was quite a feat,” McLeish said.
“Both goals were absolutely delicious and the second in particular has to be a contender for goal of the month if not the season. These players are really hungry and ambitious.
“We will lose a game one day, I can guarantee you that but I would back these boys to come back from the set-back because I know the character and power we have in that dressing room.
“It would be great to go further in the cup but it would be good if the draw could be a bit kinder.
“But why shouldn’t we have ambitions to try and go a bit further. The league is the ambition but it would be lovely to get a bit further.”
Benitez gave Birmingham the lead after just seven minutes. After an Everton free-kick broke down, Ferguson superbly switched play to the right wing with a fine pass to Keith Fahey.
Fahey then delivered a wonderful cross into the box and Benitez managed to head past Tim Howard to give McLeish’s men the early advantage.
Everton played like a team devoid of ideas and inspiration in the first half. They never looked like threatening and were left to rue their inefficiency when Birmingham scored a truly stunning second goal.
Fahey brought Sebastian Larsson into play on the right wing and although his cross looked poor, Ferguson created something from nothing when he dummied and stepped over the ball in a move which completely threw the Everton defence.
James McFadden beautifully clipped the ball back to Ferguson who then curled past Howard as the Everton merely stood and watched and went into the break with it all to do.
They had a glimmer of hope after 56 minutes when Leighton Baines brilliantly beat Stephen Carr’s lunge and laid off to Steven Pienaar and after his simple pass along the edge of the box found Osman, the midfielder shot past Joe Hart to make it 2-1.
It ignited the Goodison Park crowd and Everton poured forward but Louis Saha missed two close opportunities as did Marouane Fellaini and Birmingham held on for a deserved win.
“We were so poor in the first half that it would have needed a very good second half performance,” Moyes said.
“I thought we had enough chances to get the draw but you have to give Birmingham the credit.
“They have come to Everton and performed well and got a couple of goals and deserve to go through – there is no argument about that.”
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, barry ferguson, Birmingham, christian benitez, composure, contender, contenders, dressing room, early advantage, England, FA Cup, fahey, Fellaini, free kick, game one, Goodison Park, Howard, inefficiency, Joe Hart, Keith Fahey, league position, leon osman, Liverpool, Moyes, Sebastian Larsson, stephen carr, steven pienaar, surprise package, tim howard, toffees, wonderful crossRelated posts
In-form Birmingham end Everton´s hopes of Wembley return
January 23, 2010
Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson fired in-form Birmingham into the FA Cup fifth round as the Blues defeated Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Alex McLeish’s side are now unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions after their first away victory over Everton since 1957.
Everton, who were last season’s FA Cup runners-up against Chelsea, were well below their best and never recovered from Benitez’s early goal.
Ferguson added a second for Birmingham before half-time and Leon Osman’s second half strike for Everton wasn’t enough to keep their Wembley dreams alive.
It was Ecuador striker Benitez who set the tempo in the seventh minute.
After a free-kick broke down for the home side, Ferguson ran clear and superbly switched play to the right wing with a fine ball to Keith Fahey.
Fahey then delivered a wonderful cross into the box and Benitez headed past Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Everton were unbeaten in six matches going into this encounter, including a draw against Arsenal and a fine win last weekend against Manchester City.
However, for most of the first half, they played like a team devoid of ideas and inspiration.
Birmingham’s discipline and work ethic has seen them rise to eighth in the Premier League and McLeish’s team again demonstrated their capacity for hard work as they crammed into midfield and starved Everton of space.
The likes of Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini grew increasingly frustrated at the lack of attacking opportunities and the home side’s day got worse after 40 minutes when Birmingham scored a contender for goal of the season.
Fahey brought Sebastian Larsson into play on the right wing and although his cross looked poor, Ferguson created something from nothing when he dummied and stepped over the ball in a move which completely threw the Everton defence.
James McFadden beautifully clipped the ball back to Ferguson who then curled past Howard as the Everton defence stood and watched.
Everton announced before the match that they had signed Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos on-loan until the end of the season and he may be getting his chance sooner rather than later after their failings here.
Mikel Arteta had been named in Everton’s squad for the first time since he ruptured his cruciate ligament playing against Newcastle last February, yet Moyes resisted the crowd urgings to bring him on at half-time to try and improve Everton’s attacking composure.
But it became clear after the break that Everton were not going to exit this season’s FA Cup without some resistance and they dragged themselves back into the contest with a superbly worked finish from Osman after 56 minutes.
Leighton Baines brilliantly beat Stephen Carr’s lunge and laid off to Pienaar and after his simple pass along the edge of the box found Osman, the midfielder placed past Hart to make it 2-1.
It ignited the Goodison Park crowd and Everton side poured forward. Saha missed two close opportunities as he firstly steered a shot over the bar before hitting the post shortly afterwards.
As City counted down the minutes until the end, Fellaini shot straight at Joe Hart when he should have scored and an injury time effort from the Belgian somehow shaded wide when it had looked certain to sneak in.
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, barry ferguson, Birmingham, CHELSEA, christian benitez, contender, England, FA Cup, fahey, Ferguson, free kick, Goodison Park, James McFadden, Joe Hart, Keith Fahey, leon osman, Liverpool, manchester city, midfield, Mikel Arteta, NEWCASTLE, phil neville, philippe senderos, premier league, Sebastian Larsson, stephen carr, steven pienaar, striker, tim howard, Wembley, wonderful cross, work ethicRelated posts
Villa´s Gardner set to leave for Birmingham
January 23, 2010
Former England Under-21 international midfielder Craig Gardner is set to join highflying Premier League side Birmingham City from city rivals and League Cup finalists Aston Villa for 3million pounds.
The 23-year-old will sign for Birmingham – who are eighth in the table just a place below Villa – provided he passes a medical and agrees personal terms.
Gardner, who scored twice in 14 appearances for the England Under-21 side, played over 50 times for Villa but because of back and groin injuries has only appeared three times this season.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was delighted to have agreed a fee for Gardner as he is capable of playing at right back as well.
“Craig is a versatile and dynamic player who can perform in a number of positions,” said McLeish, who has stunned observers in making Birmingham contenders for a European place next season and not battling against relegation as many expected them to be.
“Players like that are really worth their weight in gold.”
The Blues had a bid for Gardner turned down on Sunday but returned to Villa with an improved offer.
Gardner will be Birmingham’s second signing during the transfer window and since Carson Yeung took over the club after they signed Spanish midfielder Miguel Marcos Michel for 3million pounds from Sporting Gijon earlier this month.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: AFP, alex mcleish, Birmingham, birmingham city, carson yeung, city rivals, contenders, Craig, craig gardner, dynamic player, England, Gardner, gold, groin injuries, london, midfielder, Miguel Marcos Michel, observers, personal terms, premier league, relegation, sporting gijon, three timesRelated posts
Michel to get time to settle at Birmingham
January 12, 2010
Miguel Marcos Michel, the Spanish midfielder who has become Birmingham’s first signing since Carson Yeung’s takeover of the club, will not be rushed into Premier League action, Blues boss Alex McLeish has signalled.
Michel, 24, who completed a three-million-pound transfer from Sporting Gijon on Monday, faces a battle to establish himself in a midfield in which experienced pair Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer have been outstanding in Birmingham’s 13-match unbeaten run.
And McLeish believes his newest recruit will need time to settle into English life and football.
“Sometimes it’s not easy for a player, especially coming from a foreign country, to come in and hit the ground running,” the former Scotland boss said.
“He’ll need time to get to know his team-mates and see the sort of demands we ask from players in training.
“We can also see if we can add a wee bit to his game and improve him all round as a player.
“But the bonus is that, because we’re doing so well, he has got additional time to settle.”
McLeish first attempted to sign Michel before the start of the season and he was relieved that Yeung’s financial backing finally made the deal possible.
“I’m very pleased he’s signed as I’ve been tracking him for over a year,” the Scot added. “I’ve added a player who is unfazed in taking the ball in any company.
“He’s played at the Bernabeu and the Nou Camp and has acquitted himself well, so he’s a technical player who can definitely strengthen the squad.
“He has good quality, is only 24, has got good legs and is a player for now but also the future.”
Stoke have agreed to loan former captain Andy Griffin to Championship club Reading until the end of the season. Griffin, 30, has made only three appearances for Stoke this season, all of them in the League Cup.
“There is a lot of competition for places in the squad and Andy is obviously desperate to play first team football,” said Potters boss Tony Pulis. “A move to Reading is a great opportunity for him to go out and play regularly in the Championship.”
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill meanwhile has assured Nicky Shorey, the former England full-back who is thriving on loan at Nottingham Forest, that he is not planning to off-load him permanently.
O’Neill said: “Selling Nicky is not something that I am looking to do at this minute and nothing concrete has developed. If there was an offer, I would sit down with Nicky and his agent to discuss it but I am not actively seeking (to sell him).”
Shorey was loaned to Forest after losing his place in the Villa line-up to summer signing Stephen Warnock but O’Neill believes the defender may yet live up to his early promise.
“I think going forward he has done very well and if he tightens up his game defensively, he has loads to offer,” the Villa manager added.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, Andy, andy griffin, barry ferguson, bernabeu, Birmingham, captain andy, captain Andy Griffin, carson yeung, England, Lee Bowyer, london, Martin O'Neill, match, midfield, midfielder, Miguel Marcos Michel, Neill, Nottingham, nou camp, potters, premier league, recruit, Scot, scotland, sporting gijon, stephen warnock, team football, team mates, wee bitRelated posts
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