Preview of the 2010-11 Premier League Season: Birmingham City

Following the unmitigated success of last season, ending with a top-10 finish for the Blues in their first season back in the league, Birmingham has high hopes regarding the target of this season.

The number one goal is absolutely this: avoid the dreaded "second season syndrome" that caught out the likes of Reading and Hull in recent years. 

Talk of European places are undoubtedly exciting, but unrealistic for a club of Birmingham's current stature.

The twenty-to-forty million pounds that were bandied about at the beginning of Carson Yeung's reign seem a long way off the mark now. Nevertheless, Alex McLeish has once again plucked some seeming gems from the transfer market.

Lee Bowyer and Barry Ferguson were two such characters, pariahs of football who became integral to Birmingham's fortunes in the last season, forming a dynamic midfield partnership.

This time there are no such controversial characters in the pipeline, but the new batch of signings look promising. Nikolai Zigic looks to be a player capable of making things happen, if not a 20-goals-a-season man.

Ben Foster has suffered a rather stagnated career of late, but a rejuvenation at Birmingham, in much the same way Bowyer and Ferguson rebuilt their reputations, might be in the cards. It is easy to forget that Joe Hart was once a rough diamond; the same Birmingham coaching team who helped him improve could do wonders for Foster.

Enric Valles has also been featured in pre-season and is a decent prospect as a composed left midfielder, something Birmingham lacks. He is no winger—lacking the pace—but at 6'3", he can offer power and very good technique.  

Not since Christophe Dugarry has Birmingham been credibly linked with a World Cup winner, but it is looking more and more likely that Italian/Argentinian Mauro Camoranesi could be a Birmingham player next season.

This is interesting on two levels.

First, does this mean Seb Larsson might be on his way out? Or will Camoranesi be assigned a central attacking midfield role.

Secondly, does this represent a lack of funds for McLeish when he is following aged players? Or does it represent a boost in Birmingham's transfer policy.

I fear only time will truly tell on this part, but unlike some, I see this as a rather interesting and certainly positive signing.

Regardless, Birmingham critically needs a left-back. Liam Ridgewell deputised admirably last season, but the better wingers were too agile for the defender. This would have the dual effect of freeing up Ridgewell to challenge for a starting CB role, which he clearly wants, and pairing him with Roger Johnson, which has shown on little evidence to be highly promising.

Goal scorers tend to be in short supply at St. Andrews, thirty-eight goals in thirty-eight games last season are testament to this, but Mcleish is looking to remedy this with his pursuit of Belgian striker Moussa Dembele, and this might be the signing that gives Birmingham the best chance to equal their positional record of last season. Videos of him on YouTube assure me that he is quick and a good dribbler, but only experience will tell us if he can make the step up to Premier League.

To conclude, Birmingham will not challenge for a spot in the Champion's League this season. To expect title challenges and the like is simply too much too soon.

Even the Europa League spots will be fiercely contested by the likes of Everton, Liverpool, and Aston Villa (note. since writing Villa have been left in turmoil by the shock resignation of manager Martin O'Neil, perhaps they should consider a return to O'Leary based mediocrity) . Birmingham will still have to take several steps to catch up with such 'esteemed' company.

Ultimately, mid-table mediocrity should be considered success for a couple of years at least. Blues fans must accept the reality of the situation and just look forward to one day growing yet another level. Whether Yeung can offer this is of course a different matter, but for now just have faith.

KRO