I'm not sure what to make of this really. From a business perspective, I don't think any West Ham fan can feel anything other than relief. Since the days of the egg man (Magnusson) we have either spent ludicrously or not at all, and results have taken their toll on a paper thin squad that seems to be overly relient on injury-prone players. Sullivan took over at Birmingham and pulled them out of administration and the Third Division, eventually making a nice profit and, on occassion, splashing the cash on the likes of Heskey, Forsell and Christoph Dugarry. They are both West Ham fans, and I know that if I could save the club with my savings, I would, so I have 100% faith that if a big purchase needs to get made, it will happen.
On the other hand, there is the matter of the actual football. Granted, there were trophies, championships and general progress under these two at Birmingham, but there was also the departure of Terry Cooper, a man who had just won Birmingham the title, shortly after the takeover. Boardroom disputes cost us Harry Redknapp, and the owners would do best to avoid the pubs on Green Street if the same thing happens to Zola and Clarke.
Then, clearly, you have to look at Birmingham's recent form. Consistently mid-table for a time, then two relegations with immediate promotions to follow. Investment dried up, save the odd Chuco Benitez-size splash, and it seems hard to ignore the fact that Birmingham have gone unbeaten since the new owners took charge. Let off the leash perhaps? We'll never know.
My main, and positive, consolation is that I think Gold and Sullivan, and probably even Karen Brady, know what kind of club they are running now. We don't sack our managers. We don't have anyone but the coach pick the side and make the signings. We give our fans a voice. We're not a yo-yo club.
Take all those things on board and everything will be just fine, fellas. And if Barry Fry comes within a hundred miles of the Boleyn you will have to just deal with the consequences.
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