Birmingham boss McLeish issues cash warning as problems pile up

24 April 2010 01:16
Cause for concern: Alex McLeish (right) is hoping new investment is forthcoming from Carson Yeung[LNB] As they warm up for the biggest date of their domestic season, there are worrying signs at Birmingham City that major trouble is afoot both on and off the pitch.   [LNB]The fixture against despised cross-city rivals Aston Villa is always eagerly anticipated in the royal blue half of Birmingham, but after an historic season it seems the club is on the verge of imploding.[LNB] On the day when chief executive officer Michael Dunford announced his resignation, Birmingham boss Alex McLeish commented that he 'cannot keep pulling rabbits out of a hat' in the transfer market.[LNB] The Scot was promised significant funds to strengthen his squad when the new Chinese owners arrived amid a blaze of publicity and promises just six months ago.[LNB] Hong Kong-based billionaire Carson Yeung supposedly put in place £40million for the former Rangers manager to spend. He handed over around £3m of that cash in down-payments for Aston Villa's Craig Gardner and Michel from Sporting Gijon during January's window.[LNB] But now it seems that McLeish, who set a club record as City embarked on a 15-match unbeaten run during the winter, has voiced his own concerns after spending a relatively minor £10m last summer.[LNB] The comments from the ex-Scotland coach come on the back of other evidence which suggests that all may not be as it seems at St Andrew's. Yeung and Co are embroiled in a spat with former owners David Sullivan and David Gold over £7m the Chinese allege is owed to the club.[LNB] They have also asked for leave to appeal a decision made by the High Court to pay a £2.2m fee to brokers Seymour Pierce for work carried out on their behalf during the £81m purchase of the club last October. And now the chief executive officer has quit. Dunford is one of the most well-respected administrators in the game and is seen as a safe pair of hands.[LNB] He was more than an administrator at Everton but also hadsignificant experience at Derby County. His resignation, coming as itdoes before the club's most high-profile clash of the season, could nothave been more badly timed.[LNB] Indeed, cynics were suggesting last night that it had been done specifically to cause maximum embarrassment.[LNB] Sign of the times: Craig Gardner (right) joined from Villa for £3m[LNB] And now McLeish, who has stalled over talks on an improved deal himself in which he seeks confirmation that the cash injection from the Far East is coming, has issued his own warning.[LNB] 'What we've already done is terrific,' he said. 'We are well down the pecking order in terms of facilities, money, infrastructure, and it is an incredible achievement already.[LNB] 'Will there be more than £10m to spend this summer? It won't be much more than that. We've got to be as prudent as ever and try and enhance the quality of the squad. We will try to get players (without spending too much) but you can't keep pulling rabbits out of the hat.   [LNB]'I heard Walter Smith talking about having a fantastic season at Rangers and then, because he's done well on a limited budget, they think they can take a bit more away and he can do it again.   [LNB]'I worked like that at Rangers as well and you can't keep doing that. You can't keep pulling rabbits out of the hat. There has to be investment.'[LNB] Dunford was thought to be frustrated at the lack of power he was able to exercise in his role. Yeung's de facto chief executive is Peter Pannu who heads up the Chinese contingent at St Andrew's.[LNB] But Dunford is understood to have grown tired of having little or no say in how the club was being run.[LNB]McLeish added: 'Michael seemed a smashing lad. You normally work with people a lot longer before you get to know them. It is an administration thing. These things happen.[LNB] 'He has not been in the job that long and, if you bring a chief executive and he goes that early, then yes, it is a little bit unusual.   [LNB]'I liked working with him and the communication lines were tremendous but it is not something that is going to affect the players. It's not my business. I'm more concerned with the Villa game.'[LNB] Villa Park was the scene of McLeish's biggest defeat when Martin O'Neill's rampant side put five past the Blues two seasons ago.[LNB] 'Two years ago we were well short, both in terms of quality and strength against a high-flying Villa side,' McLeish said. 'We are better equipped these days.'[LNB] O'Neill said he was not surprised at the impact made by his opposite number as he chased what would be Villa's sixth consecutive victory over the Blues.[LNB] 'I think they've improved immensely since then, in every aspect, and are stronger as a side and for the experience. It would be very surprising if it ended up the same scoreline.' [LNB] Blackpool striker DJ Campbell arrested over stabbing outside London nightclubRoma set to hijack Birmingham and Blackburn chase for Estudiantes striker Mauro BoselliAston Villa v BIRMINGHAM: Cameron Jerome and James McFadden return to squad[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail