Football

[AlterEgo]

Stunning, stunning free kicks from Rice for Arsenal tonight. The second literally took my breath away. I have never seen a player score a better pair of free kicks in a game, ever.

 

[Haywain]

where they will be backed by over 43000 of their supporters.

Is that all?

 

[Jimini]

Stunning, stunning free kicks from Rice for Arsenal tonight. The second literally took my breath away. I have never seen a player score a better pair of free kicks in a game, ever.

Very true. A great night for the gunners (from a Fulham STH).

 

[DarloRich]

Stunning, stunning free kicks from Rice for Arsenal tonight. The second literally took my breath away. I have never seen a player score a better pair of free kicks in a game, ever.

agreed - incredible. Apparently he doesn't take free kicks.....................

The finish for the third was pretty good to!

 

[YorkshireBear]

agreed - incredible. Apparently he doesn't take free kicks.....................

The finish for the third was pretty good to!

And despite all three goals Courtois played out of his skin! Some absolute world class saves in that game.

 

[side effect]

Be unbearable if Arsenal win it so I hope they do.

 

[75A]

I thouhht Real Madrid played ok in the1st half, but then Arsenal really upped it. Those 2 free kicks particularly were world class.

Back to reality tonight watching my team Portsmouth play @ Coventry. Away form is poor but the incentive to stay in the Championship went up big time last weekend when S.........n got relegation from the Premier League. Fingers crossed.

I've just watched the Tottenham game and as a neutral I thought it was worth watching. Changed channels to see the end of the Man Utd game what is it with their keeper? i've seen better performances in Sunday morning games. Is he reslly the best Utd have?

 

[450.emu]

Greater Angelos franchise continues... Ange saw off the threat of dismissal if Spurs lost to Frankfurt. 1-1 draw in the 1st leg of Europa League quarter final.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Changed channels to see the end of the Man Utd game what is it with their keeper? i've seen better performances in Sunday morning games. Is he reslly the best Utd have?

It is more noticeable when one remembers the standard of their goalkeepers over the Fergie reign at Old Trafford.

 

[Lemmy99uk]

Is that all?

Considering that most Premiership clubs will only take about 30,000 to Wembley for an FA cup final then Birminghams figure is quite impressive.

 

[Haywain]

Considering that most Premiership clubs will only take about 30,000 to Wembley for an FA cup final then Birminghams figure is quite impressive.

But clubs only get around 30,000 tickets for an FA Cup final, so couldn't take more if they wanted. The EFL trophy doesn't have the same limits and other clubs have taken similar numbers in the past.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Mo Salah has signed a new two-year deal with Liverpool.

 

[Lemmy99uk]

But clubs only get around 30,000 tickets for an FA Cup final, so couldn't take more if they wanted. The EFL trophy doesn't have the same limits and other clubs have taken similar numbers in the past.

No, the trophy has a higher limit, but Birmingham sold out their original allocation, were given 6,000 extra and sold them immediately and there are still thousands trying to get tickets.

 

[dangie]

Mo Salah has signed a new two-year deal with Liverpool.

B*gger….. I was hoping he’d sign for Stoke

 

[PauloDavesi]

There will also be about 6,000 blues supporters taking up hospitality places, on top of the general admission tickets sold, so about 49,000 blues supporters at the game.
the transformation at the club this season is remarkable, just shows what can be done, at any club, with good intelligent ownership and a good coach who is making the best use of his carefully slected squad. Off the pitch the 26,000 average home attendence, and the sold out hospitality as all home games, combined with the massive increase of sponsorship and in stadium advertising, combined with an exponential growth of retail sales of replica kit etc means the turnover for the business has grown massively and gives a much healthier cash flow situation.

It has just been anounced that Amazon Prime have been making a behind the scenes series all season that will be shown from June, this will increase the publicity for the glub as well as giving added vaslue to the clubs sponsors, which now included Vertu, the massive car dealership organisation and Delta Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world.

 

[SteveM70]

There will also be about 6,000 blues supporters taking up hospitality places, on top of the general admission tickets sold, so about 49,000 blues supporters at the game.
the transformation at the club this season is remarkable, just shows what can be done, at any club, with good intelligent ownership and a good coach who is making the best use of his carefully slected squad. Off the pitch the 26,000 average home attendence, and the sold out hospitality as all home games, combined with the massive increase of sponsorship and in stadium advertising, combined with an exponential growth of retail sales of replica kit etc means the turnover for the business has grown massively and gives a much healthier cash flow situation.

It has just been anounced that Amazon Prime have been making a behind the scenes series all season that will be shown from June, this will increase the publicity for the glub as well as giving added vaslue to the clubs sponsors, which now included Vertu, the massive car dealership organisation and Delta Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world.

Well done on writing that without mentioning the massive injection of cash and the ridiculous transfer fees for the likes of Stansfield!

I suppose “perennial underachievers given loads of money at the lowest level they’ve played in decades and start doing well” isn’t really the narrative to push is it?

 

[PauloDavesi]

Yes, the new owners have injected funds into a business that was badly run and seriously underfinanced for many years, but isn't that normal for new owners in most businesses?
The investment will be repaid over time from increaased revenues, as stated from admissions, hospitality, sponsorship fees, broadcast fees and merchandise sales.

As for the transfer fees paid, are they ridiculous or just what was the market price for the comodity purchased? Having got promotion, with 6 games to spare, and an EFL trophy final appearance, I'd say we've got good value from the investment in players.

 

[Cross City]

Well done on writing that without mentioning the massive injection of cash and the ridiculous transfer fees for the likes of Stansfield!

When we were run two two sets of literal criminals who brought us to the brink of extinction at least twice, only to be saved by the sale and then onward transfer of a generational world class talent that just happened to be in our academy, nobody gave a single shiny sh*te. But the second we get a decent owner in and spend some cash everybody has to to line up to have their say.

As Mr Wagner would say, FEA. I hope we buy our way out of the Championship next season too surfing off into the sunset on a wave of the tears of crabs-in-bucket fans of lower league clubs.

 

[43096]

It is more noticeable when one remembers the standard of their goalkeepers over the Fergie reign at Old Trafford.

Fergie had two great keepers (Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar), the rest were at best average and some were poor. He struggled to replace Schmeichel until van der Sar arrived.

 

[SteveM70]

The investment will be repaid over time from increaased revenues, as stated from admissions, hospitality, sponsorship fees, broadcast fees and merchandise sales.

Will it? How many owners have exited clubs showing a profit in circumstances like these?

As for the transfer fees paid, are they ridiculous or just what was the market price for the comodity purchased? Having got promotion, with 6 games to spare, and an EFL trophy final appearance, I'd say we've got good value from the investment in players

15 million at league one level is not the market price.

 

[Cross City]

15 million at league one level is not the market price.

The level Blues are currently playing at is irrelevant. Are you suggesting we shouldn’t spend what we can so dross like Burton Albion don’t get a bit upset?

£15m for a U21 England international striker is at market price.

 

[PauloDavesi]

The situation at Birmingham is that the new owners have decided to make significant investment into the business to increase turnover and revenues, so that the business can move forwards on and off the field. Remember this is a business that suffered from serious mismanagement and under investment for over ten years. The stadium was falling apart, but the new owners have invested millions making it a safer and more attractive venue, combined with a total rebuild of the hospitality offering, which now sells out for every game. There has been massive investment in both training grounds, which are now at the level expected for a professional organisation.
The investment has also attracted numerous now sponsors, including the Vertu car dealership chain and Delta airlines, as well as still having packages for the loyal local companies. A major aim is the development of the new stadium and "sports quarter", on the old Birmingham Wheels site, which will have a modern new and larger stadium, as well as new training facilities, hotels and retail, meaning supporters can make a day of their visit to a game, as well as been a possible venue for major concert tours and othr sporting events.
Based on the redevelopment of areas around similar stadiums in the usa, eg oracle park and the staples centre, it this additional development that will provide the big and sustainable profits for the investors. While having a stadium that can be used more than just 25 days per year makes it a profit centre, not a financial burden.

If Blues were to sell Jay Stansfield this summer they would probably get a 50-75% profit on the money invested in purchasing him. Hopefully the club keeps him as his contributions will be a major asset in the championship, and hopefully the premiership in due course.

Meanwhile I read that Chelsea are over £1Billion in debt, despite a dodgy deal to sell the womens team to keep withing the financial rules.

 

[side effect]

Any re development plans for St Andrews.

 

[SteveM70]

The level Blues are currently playing at is irrelevant. Are you suggesting we shouldn’t spend what we can so dross like Burton Albion don’t get a bit upset?

£15m for a U21 England international striker is at market price.

What I’m saying is that the “fairytale” narrative pushed by the owners and their stooges in the media is immensely frustrating. They are buying success. Same as Wrexham did. Same as Salford did. Same as Wigan did back in the day. To quote the late Bill Hicks (although he was talking about something different) “it’s no more of a miracle than eating food and a turd coming out of your ass”

The interesting bit is what happens when you reach the level where you no longer have the deepest pockets. If you cast your mind back to Wigan under Dave Whelan, he called for a salary cap in the premier league because it just wasn’t fair on little teams like Wigan. Just a teeny bit hypocritical of course.

 

[PauloDavesi]

Nothing definately announced for the St Andrews @ Knighthead Park site, but based on the location, it would be prime land for residentail development.

Birmingham City is not a fairy tale, it is the result of a lot of very hard work by the players, coaches, support staff andf the non football side of the business. anyone taking over a company after almost 15 yeras of neglect, under investment annd mismanagement has to make significant investment to retain and grow the customer base, and save the business. Currently Birmingham City are a good example of how to totally turn around a failing business.

 

[Haywain]

Currently Birmingham City are a good example of how to totally turn around a failing business.

By putting vast amounts of money in up front. That is a statement of fact, not criticism.

 

[Cross City]

What I’m saying is that the “fairytale” narrative pushed by the owners and their stooges in the media is immensely frustrating.

Nobody is saying it’s a fairly tale. That’s something you’ve constructed in your own mind to have a little whinge at.

What’s happening is exactly what every Blues fan said was going to happen but we were branded “deluded” and “arrogant”.

By putting vast amounts of money in up front. That is a statement of fact, not criticism.

That’s how any business is turned around.

The Football League was founded because the clubs wanted to dominate the money. Nothing has ever changed in the game.

 

[PauloDavesi]

After todays results Birmingham City need just one point from their final six games, or Wrexham not to win all four of their remaining games. to become EFL League One champions.

Wrexham have a one point advantage, over Wycome, fort he second automatic promotion place, either side would be likely to do well if promoted.

 

[Ted633]

After todays results Birmingham City need just one point from their final six games, or Wrexham not to win all four of their remaining games. to become EFL League One champions.

Wrexham have a one point advantage, over Wycome, fort he second automatic promotion place, either side would be likely to do well if promoted.

?
They are 13 & 14 points clear of Wrexham & Wycombe, and they each have 4 games left. Think Birmingham may be champions already!

 

[PauloDavesi]

Sorry, I got the maths wrong, but a nice mistake

Hopefully the team will be relaxed and play good quality attractive football for the last few games.