It could always go wrong for them but currently it looks like they're going to be playing in a completely different league to everyone else. People will reference Sunderland but they were in complete shambles when they came down, whereas Birmingham are clearly in a strong financial position for the time being.
Stansfield would be a ridiculous signing for this level. I know he's 21 and not really broken through at Fulham yet but for him to leave on a permanent to a League 1 side would be staggering.
It's getting to the point where I feel that somewhat weirdly but it's probably really better if Birmingham do get promoted. Yes them somehow fucking it up would be tremendous schadenfreude but having them hanging around in L1 chucking sums like this around would distort the market for teams that can't/won't ever match that.
It would be very damaging in the long run IMO, yes Birmingham would probably go down in flames but the fire would spread.
I don't care if Birmingham get promoted or not as long as we do.
I'm unconvinced by Birmingham's transfer business. They've spent an awful lot of money on signings from abroad to come and play in L1. I remember we tried something similar once and it didn't work out all that well.
Think Birmingham will still need a few older heads more familiar with league one, whilst signing good players from Holland/Germany will get you around the top, they will likely need some tried and tested players to keep them there
I have question marks over the manager there too, in his first job and with a fanbase and essentially the whole league expecting them to win every game it could end in tears
I'm unconvinced by Birmingham's transfer business. They've spent an awful lot of money on signings from abroad to come and play in L1. I remember we tried something similar once and it didn't work out all that well.
It all comes down to whether they’ve spent their money wisely or just spent their money, whether the individual players can work well together as a team and whether the manager that bought them is the right person to manage them this coming season
How are they able to spend the amount they are with FFP?
Partly their income and due to L1 (and L2) being under the SCMP rules rather than FFP. Owners can put in equity and donations which count as turnover. This means in theory a L1 club has no limit on what they can spend as long as an owner is willing to fund it.
The rules are also around the wage bill and not spend on fees.
I'm unconvinced by Birmingham's transfer business. They've spent an awful lot of money on signings from abroad to come and play in L1. I remember we tried something similar once and it didn't work out all that well.
We did it on the cheap. They are signing players that are much better than league 1 level, we’ve never tried doing that because we’ve never had the budget
If we’d signed players from abroad that were much better than the level we were playing at, it probably would have worked well
I'm unconvinced by Birmingham's transfer business. They've spent an awful lot of money on signings from abroad to come and play in L1. I remember we tried something similar once and it didn't work out all that well.
We did it on the cheap. They are signing players that are much better than league 1 level, we’ve never tried doing that because we’ve never had the budget
If we’d signed players from abroad that were much better than the level we were playing at, it probably would have worked well
Was referring to the time under RD, signing players from abroad to play in England who were obviously good players but some of whom. struggled to adapt.
It's weird, they can essentially sign players now that they wouldn't be able to in the championship under the current rules. No doubt they hope if they spend big and smash the league this season, they can use the momentum to carry them through next season like Ipswich have
How are they able to spend the amount they are with FFP?
Because they sold 16.000 season ticket holders unlike us have some fans still making any excuse they can to avoid going to the games we could and should have 12k season ticket holders .. these owners deserve the backing ..
Nothing to do with ST numbers at all. Scoham is correct above that it's down to the SCMP rules in League 1 allowing more flexibility than the championship.
How are they able to spend the amount they are with FFP?
Because they sold 16.000 season ticket holders unlike us have some fans still making any excuse they can to avoid going to the games we could and should have 12k season ticket holders .. these owners deserve the backing ..
I’m giving the new owners time to get things right on the pitch. Season after season after season of failure for nearly 2 decades and I can see why some people have moved on and do other things on a Saturday. I hope a good season will bring some back but another mid season finish or worse will result in more going than coming back.
this is Birmingham’s first season at this level for 30 years. They haven’t had their souls ripped out of them yet like we have.
I'm unconvinced by Birmingham's transfer business. They've spent an awful lot of money on signings from abroad to come and play in L1. I remember we tried something similar once and it didn't work out all that well.
We did it on the cheap. They are signing players that are much better than league 1 level, we’ve never tried doing that because we’ve never had the budget
If we’d signed players from abroad that were much better than the level we were playing at, it probably would have worked well
Was referring to the time under RD, signing players from abroad to play in England who were obviously good players but some of whom. struggled to adapt.
We did that in the Championship. Once we were in L1, we hardly signed any players from abroad, and instead (whether under Roland or Sandgaard) wasted money on British players, the likes of Ajose, Kirk, DJ, Chuks (when you consider his minutes), Fraser etc
How are they able to spend the amount they are with FFP?
Because they sold 16.000 season ticket holders unlike us have some fans still making any excuse they can to avoid going to the games we could and should have 12k season ticket holders .. these owners deserve the backing ..
I tell you what ronnie, you buy everybody that hasn’t got a season ticket one. We’ve been subjected to an absolute shit show for a number of years and run by chancers in that time. Yet you reckon people should part with their hard earned money because “these owners deserve backing” So it’s not really “any excuse” is it?
I'm unconvinced by Birmingham's transfer business. They've spent an awful lot of money on signings from abroad to come and play in L1. I remember we tried something similar once and it didn't work out all that well.
We did it on the cheap. They are signing players that are much better than league 1 level, we’ve never tried doing that because we’ve never had the budget
If we’d signed players from abroad that were much better than the level we were playing at, it probably would have worked well
Was referring to the time under RD, signing players from abroad to play in England who were obviously good players but some of whom. struggled to adapt.
Yes so was I. We spent fees on players, but they were championship fees for a championship side, our budget was still pretty low compared to the level.
Birmingham are bringing in players that are of a much higher level than the league they are in, for much higher fees. It’s a very different thing to what RD was doing, and combined with some big fees on proven domestic players, is probably going to mean they are way better than anyone else.
Only thing that could hold them back is the manager is unproven, and a slow start if the new signings don’t gel quickly could see the fans ramp up the pressure pretty quickly. But even then I think if you build a squad that is levels above the rest of the league you are probably going to win the league quite easily even with a slow start
It's weird, they can essentially sign players now that they wouldn't be able to in the championship under the current rules. No doubt they hope if they spend big and smash the league this season, they can use the momentum to carry them through next season like Ipswich have
Think that is exactly their plan. Build a good championship squad now, add in a bit of momentum from a league 1 promotion and they could go straight towards the upper end of the championship first season with a small chance of play offs/promotion
It's weird, they can essentially sign players now that they wouldn't be able to in the championship under the current rules. No doubt they hope if they spend big and smash the league this season, they can use the momentum to carry them through next season like Ipswich have
Think that is exactly their plan. Build a good championship squad now, add in a bit of momentum from a league 1 promotion and they could go straight towards the upper end of the championship first season with a small chance of play offs/promotion
I can see their plan mate but as we all know getting out of this league isn’t a given. It took Ipswich a couple of attempts once they started spending.
Wonder if Stansfield to Birmingham leaves May on the bench, as he would’ve been with us? Albeit he’s a lot richer and a little closer to the north at St Andrews
I'm unconvinced by Birmingham's transfer business. They've spent an awful lot of money on signings from abroad to come and play in L1. I remember we tried something similar once and it didn't work out all that well.
We did it on the cheap. They are signing players that are much better than league 1 level, we’ve never tried doing that because we’ve never had the budget
If we’d signed players from abroad that were much better than the level we were playing at, it probably would have worked well
Was referring to the time under RD, signing players from abroad to play in England who were obviously good players but some of whom. struggled to adapt.
Yes so was I. We spent fees on players, but they were championship fees for a championship side, our budget was still pretty low compared to the level.
Birmingham are bringing in players that are of a much higher level than the league they are in, for much higher fees. It’s a very different thing to what RD was doing, and combined with some big fees on proven domestic players, is probably going to mean they are way better than anyone else.
Only thing that could hold them back is the manager is unproven, and a slow start if the new signings don’t gel quickly could see the fans ramp up the pressure pretty quickly. But even then I think if you build a squad that is levels above the rest of the league you are probably going to win the league quite easily even with a slow start
Respectfully disagree. There are plenty of things that could hold them back. If football was as simple a game as you describe then I don't think anyone would bother watching!
I think a lot of people on social media are certainly hoping Birmingham muck it up, rather than actually believing it.
They're signing players from the Dutch top flight for big fees. JBG was unreal for us, and had a steady career as a Premier League regular afterwards. If these signings they're making are even half as good as JBG, they'll make a bit of a mockery of this league imo.
The difference between Ipswich in 21/22 to 22/23, is that they didn't burn their money. In 21/22 they bought some decent players, also bought a lot of turd, their signings for 22/23 were a bit more savvy. Birmingham look to be replicating their 22/23 window. I expect them to do what Ipswich done, and be near the 100 point mark.
Make no mistake, spending cash efficiently wins you leagues, still don't understand how there is a debate about it. See every league last season, the big spenders will either win the league or be thereabouts. Always has been that way, always will.
I think a lot of people on social media are certainly hoping Birmingham muck it up, rather than actually believing it.
They're signing players from the Dutch top flight for big fees. JBG was unreal for us, and had a steady career as a Premier League regular afterwards. If these signings they're making are even half as good as JBG, they'll make a bit of a mockery of this league imo.
The difference between Ipswich in 21/22 to 22/23, is that they didn't burn their money. In 21/22 they bought some decent players, also bought a lot of turd, their signings for 22/23 were a bit more savvy. Birmingham look to be replicating their 22/23 window. I expect them to do what Ipswich done, and be near the 100 point mark.
Make no mistake, spending cash efficiently wins you leagues, still don't understand how there is a debate about it. See every league last season, the big spenders will either win the league or be thereabouts. Always has been that way, always will.
I agree it's looking likely they will storm the league when spending that kind of money, but those Dutch top flight players also have to learn and adjust to league one football. No matter how good you are as a player, playing away game on a terrible rain soaked pitch on a Tuesday night isn't easy.
I think a lot of people on social media are certainly hoping Birmingham muck it up, rather than actually believing it.
They're signing players from the Dutch top flight for big fees. JBG was unreal for us, and had a steady career as a Premier League regular afterwards. If these signings they're making are even half as good as JBG, they'll make a bit of a mockery of this league imo.
The difference between Ipswich in 21/22 to 22/23, is that they didn't burn their money. In 21/22 they bought some decent players, also bought a lot of turd, their signings for 22/23 were a bit more savvy. Birmingham look to be replicating their 22/23 window. I expect them to do what Ipswich done, and be near the 100 point mark.
Make no mistake, spending cash efficiently wins you leagues, still don't understand how there is a debate about it. See every league last season, the big spenders will either win the league or be thereabouts. Always has been that way, always will.
I agree there is an undoubted correlation and in time it mostly plays out that way, but it definitely isn't a guarantee. I mean look at Chelsea in the last couple of years. They've nearly spent a £1billion and it has them behind Villa.
Birmingham are undoubtedly the stand out favourites and will most likely win the league but there lots of other variables at play.
1) An untested manager in such a pressured situation is the biggest. If he starts badly, do they hit the panic button and then rush the next appointment. Causing them to lose the fans in the process.
2) A couple of the players they're purchasing seem to be dropping to below their natural level. You only do that for money. Will they have the right motivations for a cold Tuesday on a crap pitch in Blackpool or anywhere else.
3) This league will be the toughest it's been for years this season. They could definitely underestimate it.
Don't forget when these owners took over they were in the play offs and conspired to relegate themselves in that season. We should never doubt what the stupidity of owners can do for a club as we have witnessed it ourselves far too often over the last 5-10 years.
I think it's far far far from a foregone conclusion that Birmingham walk it. Unproven manager, players that will need to adapt to League 1 , enormous expectations that they're going to walk it with 100+ points. It could all very easily crumble and if they don't come out the traps flying and need 10 games to adapt to League 1 then they could easily be on the back foot and there's enough other very good sides in this league this season with more settled sides that will really fancy automatics this year.
Could be half the league for playoff contention and there's always every year the side that no one really fancies who ends up up there.
I think a lot of people on social media are certainly hoping Birmingham muck it up, rather than actually believing it.
They're signing players from the Dutch top flight for big fees. JBG was unreal for us, and had a steady career as a Premier League regular afterwards. If these signings they're making are even half as good as JBG, they'll make a bit of a mockery of this league imo.
The difference between Ipswich in 21/22 to 22/23, is that they didn't burn their money. In 21/22 they bought some decent players, also bought a lot of turd, their signings for 22/23 were a bit more savvy. Birmingham look to be replicating their 22/23 window. I expect them to do what Ipswich done, and be near the 100 point mark.
Make no mistake, spending cash efficiently wins you leagues, still don't understand how there is a debate about it. See every league last season, the big spenders will either win the league or be thereabouts. Always has been that way, always will.
Chelsea were not even thereabouts last season and look how much they spent. Yes spending money usually helps but it guarantees you nothing and buying players from a top flight league elsewhere to play in League One is a gamble.
Chelsea spent a lot, but a lot of it was on young talents, and in a league where everyone else above them also spend absurd amounts of money. Despite their poor start, they still managed to finish 6th and only 5 points away from Villa, who have a very good and expensive squad themselves. They also had a lot of outgoings so were on a bit of a rebuild.
Birmingham aren't up against the likes of City, Arsenal, Liverpool etc who also spend a fortune, they're up against a league full of sides with small budgets, and paying low wages.
They'll get promoted, whether it's this season, next season, it's inevitable. I can't say the same for us, or any other team in this league. I've already seen people saying this is a good building season or play-offs would be nice. Completely different level of ambition.
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I have question marks over the manager there too, in his first job and with a fanbase and essentially the whole league expecting them to win every game it could end in tears
The rules are also around the wage bill and not spend on fees.
https://www.financialfairplay.co.uk/scmp.php
If we’d signed players from abroad that were much better than the level we were playing at, it probably would have worked well
this is Birmingham’s first season at this level for 30 years. They haven’t had their souls ripped out of them yet like we have.
Crawley sign striker Muhammadu Faal from Maidstone.
They're signing players from the Dutch top flight for big fees. JBG was unreal for us, and had a steady career as a Premier League regular afterwards. If these signings they're making are even half as good as JBG, they'll make a bit of a mockery of this league imo.
The difference between Ipswich in 21/22 to 22/23, is that they didn't burn their money. In 21/22 they bought some decent players, also bought a lot of turd, their signings for 22/23 were a bit more savvy. Birmingham look to be replicating their 22/23 window. I expect them to do what Ipswich done, and be near the 100 point mark.
Make no mistake, spending cash efficiently wins you leagues, still don't understand how there is a debate about it. See every league last season, the big spenders will either win the league or be thereabouts. Always has been that way, always will.
Birmingham are undoubtedly the stand out favourites and will most likely win the league but there lots of other variables at play.
1) An untested manager in such a pressured situation is the biggest. If he starts badly, do they hit the panic button and then rush the next appointment. Causing them to lose the fans in the process.
2) A couple of the players they're purchasing seem to be dropping to below their natural level. You only do that for money. Will they have the right motivations for a cold Tuesday on a crap pitch in Blackpool or anywhere else.
3) This league will be the toughest it's been for years this season. They could definitely underestimate it.
Don't forget when these owners took over they were in the play offs and conspired to relegate themselves in that season. We should never doubt what the stupidity of owners can do for a club as we have witnessed it ourselves far too often over the last 5-10 years.
Could be half the league for playoff contention and there's always every year the side that no one really fancies who ends up up there.
Chelsea spent a lot, but a lot of it was on young talents, and in a league where everyone else above them also spend absurd amounts of money. Despite their poor start, they still managed to finish 6th and only 5 points away from Villa, who have a very good and expensive squad themselves. They also had a lot of outgoings so were on a bit of a rebuild.
Birmingham aren't up against the likes of City, Arsenal, Liverpool etc who also spend a fortune, they're up against a league full of sides with small budgets, and paying low wages.
They'll get promoted, whether it's this season, next season, it's inevitable. I can't say the same for us, or any other team in this league. I've already seen people saying this is a good building season or play-offs would be nice. Completely different level of ambition.