Blues V Forest Match Thread

Harry Redknapp departed Birmingham City as the first managerial casualty of the season. After taking financial advice from Arry's Dog regarding the state of Arry's bank balance, he has decided to polish up his image by working for free. Redknapp initially worked without asking for payment from Blues for the final three games of 2016-17, having replaced Gianfranco Zola.

Speaking about his future on BT Sport on Saturday, Redknapp - who won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 - said: "What I wouldn't mind doing is maybe going in with a young manager somewhere and helping a couple of days a week.

"Up the road to me, Yeovil, the young manager there, I don't want any money for it, I'd go and do a couple of days with him, just if I could help Darren Way. He's a smashing lad.


Harry Redknapp could be set for an advisory role at Yeovil Town following an invitation from manager Darren Way, approved by the Glovers' board.

Way commented,
"The opportunity to bring in someone like Harry to pass on his knowledge is a no-brainer," 37-year-old Way told Yeovil's club website.

"Harry has been in the game a long time. He is someone I highly respect for the experience he's gained.

"There's no pressure or long-term commitment from either side, but I'm looking forward to having Harry at Huish Park."

Harry is probably telling Darren about the importance of assembling his squad as early as possible in preseason and not shipping out key midfield players on deadline day, while bringing in a host of new faces.






Maikel Kieftenbeld has spoken for the first time about his collapsed move to Derby and the pride he feels at fighting his way back into the Birmingham City line-up.

The midfielder has told the Birmingham Mail how he was applauded by his team-mates when he returned to Wast Hills but how he remained worried about the reception from Blues fans.

He has also lifted the lid on how he wasn’t told he was surplus to requirements at Blues until transfer deadline day - and that he hopes his long-term future will be sorted in January.


“I still played a few games and then deadline day came, we brought in a lot more new players on deadline day as well - and then they let me know that the chances for me to play for Birmingham City were not that big any more.


Derby were alerted. Gary Rowett, who brought Kieftenbeld to Birmingham from FC Groningen in July 2015, remained an admirer.

The former Blues boss appeared to have got his man and the 27-year-old joined up with the Rams’ squad.

However, doubt over the paperwork lingered and five days later it became clear the deal had not been ratified and that Kieftenbeld was still a Birmingham player.

Allegedly what actually happened was that as the transfer happened on deadline day, Maikel took a significant part of the paperwork to Derby himself. Of course once he had seen the place, that went straight in the shredder.

Steve Cotterill is now manager of the Blues and perhaps a better fit for the task in hand. At least I don't expect him to write of his [inherited] team as losers. That was an especially strange comment from Redknapp considering some of the players he brought to the club.

Harlee Dean and Maxime Colin both signed from Brentford for undisclosed fees. Colin a quality R/B tore his hamstring against his old club on Nov' 1st and won't be available.
Marc Roberts a Centre Half signed from Barnsley in the Summer on a five year deal.

Up front the man to watch is Che Adams, scoring four goals so far, three inside the box. He wasn't a Redknapp signing transfering from Sheffield United in August 2016 for an undisclosed fee.

Live @ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/379512
One match ban enabled