Claridge says Birmingham City need star striker for Premier League bid

May 31 2009 by Andy Walker, Sunday Mercury

‘‘When you’re playing better teams, then fans will forgive you for more. Making a mistake against Liverpool compared to making a mistake against, for instance, Southampton will be seen in a completely different light.

“Last season Blues were not playing the most expansive and entertaining style of football but they had plenty of effort and that was enough to get them up.”

Next season’s team is likely to have a completely different look to the side that secured promotion with ten new arrivals targeted by both McLeish and co-owner David Sullivan.

The continental market, mainly Belgium and Spain, has already been thoroughly scoured by McLeish and his scouting team and Claridge insists that it’s essential to travel further afield if you are looking to bag yourself a talented bargain signing.

“Alex McLeish built a team to get them out of the Championship but now it is a different kettle of fish,” he said.

“I think it’s getting wider and wider rather than harder and harder to find good players for a bargain, you have to go further afield.

“There are some good players who sometimes go under the radar and you’ve got to travel a long way to find them. There’s the European Under-21 Championship starting on June 15 so I’m sure there’s going to be a plethora of managers watching that one.”

* STEVE Claridge will be returning to action in front of an expected 20,000 football enthusiasts next month, at Grass Roots Football LIVE 2009 at the National Exhibition Centre between June 12-14.

He has been signed up by the Grass Roots Football LIVE All Stars and will appear alongside Paul Merson, Ray Parlour and Neville Southall as they take on all-comers in a purpose built stadium.

As well as event ambassador and ex-England and Villa manager Graham Taylor, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis and Wycombe Wanderers and former England Under-21 boss Peter Taylor many leading academy directors and coaches from the professional game will be hosting coaching clinics.

They will be joined by a list of ex-players including Chris Kamara, former Blues star Robbie Savage, ex-Albion favourite Don Goodman, Tony Cottee, Paul Davis and Ron Harris at the show.

Visit www.grassrootsfootball.co.uk  for more information about the event.