Etheridge to Birmingham

[Heisenberg]

Have to disagree, Birmingham have just signed Andres Prieto from Espanyol as their #1, why would Etheridge go there & sit on the bench. I don't understand why City would want to weaken one area we're strong in, seems we don't value strength in depth in vital areas.

Are you sure he was signed as their number one? I've never heard of him before so just gave him a quick Google. He was third choice at Espanyol and was released on a free. He's played 4 league games in 3 years (0 in the last 2) too. Doesn't sound like a ready-made first choice keeper to me - and with them looking to sign Etheridge too, I'd be even more surprised if he was first choice.

[Zowhore]

Have to disagree, Birmingham have just signed Andres Prieto from Espanyol as their #1, why would Etheridge go there & sit on the bench. I don't understand why City would want to weaken one area we're strong in, seems we don't value strength in depth in vital areas.

Prieto hasnt played a league game since 17/18 season, and that was only 4 appearances.
He’s going to be #2 to Etheridge for sure

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Have to disagree, Birmingham have just signed Andres Prieto from Espanyol as their #1, why would Etheridge go there & sit on the bench. I don't understand why City would want to weaken one area we're strong in, seems we don't value strength in depth in vital areas.

You've got to be fair to Etheridge too. He wants to play. Perhaps we'll sign someone to back up Smithies but they seem confident about Day.

[Dave Blue]

I don’t like this at all, especially at the pittance the fee is supposed to be. Personally I think Etheridge should be number one here despite Smithies’ very good few months.

[SunderlandBluebird]

Think it’s a deal that suits everyone really. Etheridge seemingly never kicked up a fuss when lost his place but will no doubt want to play first team football and we get a fee for a player out of contract in 12 months. Shame in hindsight we didn’t cash in last summer for 6-7 mil.

Hope Smithies stays fit, Joe Day made Etheridge look like Xabi Alonso when he played half an hour at Wigan last year

[Llandaff Blue]

I don’t like this at all, especially at the pittance the fee is supposed to be. Personally I think Etheridge should be number one here despite Smithies’ very good few months.

But why? Smithies has been excellent at this level for years, and last season wasn't some purple patch either. He's a far more rounded keeper than Etheridge too.

The money we're getting is fair, given his contract is up next season along with the COVID market I think the club has done great business. If it allows Harris to strengthen somewhere else then even better

[PhyllisStant]

Makes total sense to me and we can always dip into the loan market. Might get our hands on another Heaton or Schmichael ..... or a Dimitrios

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Makes total sense to me and we can always dip into the loan market. Might get our hands on another Heaton or Schmichael ..... or a Dimitrios

Glen Williams says it could rise to £2m. That's good business all round.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Makes total sense to me and we can always dip into the loan market. Might get our hands on another Heaton or Schmichael ..... or a Dimitrios

Ross Turnbull

[Ger27]

Glen Williams says it could rise to £2m. That's good business all round.

Plus ~£1m in salary costs saved - would have been a luxury we can't afford to have him sat on the bench each week (cue Smithies getting injured tomorrow).

[BLUETIT]

Makes total sense to me and we can always dip into the loan market. Might get our hands on another Heaton or Schmichael ..... or a Dimitrios

Ross Turnbull

Peter Zois

[Rjk]

Ross Turnbull

champions League winner Ross Turnbull

[Steve the Tea]

Transfer completed this morning according to CCFC.

StT.
<><

[Gnojek]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54100171

[Rjk]

Good business for them.
I wouldn't say it was tht good business for us, as he's gone for a steal - but it needed to be done as the squad was imbalanced.

[The Hooded Claw]

Zidane is available for free!
That’s Zidane Jr (a goalkeeper) who was released by Real Madrid this summer.

[Ianto13]

Zidane is available for free!
That’s Zidane Jr (a goalkeeper) who was released by Real Madrid this summer.

We don’t need another keeper! We need competition for Tomlin and another right back?

[2b2bdoo]

makes sense especially at 2m.

Good luck to him.

[jon1959]

Good luck Neil.

Top shot stopper and all round nice guy. Deserves to be No 1 somewhere. The deal makes sense for all parties.

[Vindec]

makes sense especially at 2m.

Good luck to him.

Birmingham would have to get promoted to raise the fee to £2m and we know that wont happen and I guess the Birmingham Board knew that as well. Birmingham have got a great deal in securing Etheridge; while his distribution is poor he was good in every other respect. Let's face it Smithies distribution isn't much better

[Rjk]

Birmingham would have to get promoted to raise the fee to £2m and we know that wont happen and I guess the Birmingham Board knew that as well. Birmingham have got a great deal in securing Etheridge; while his distribution is poor he was good in every other respect. Let's face it Smithies distribution isn't much better

do you know that for sure?

[Vindec]

do you know that for sure?

Read it on the Birmingham forum. Sounds right but I guess it is speculative.

[Rjk]

Read it on the Birmingham forum. Sounds right but I guess it is speculative.

same as most football forums then, people say stuff they think is probably true as fact without any actual knowledge about it

[The Hooded Claw]

We don’t need another keeper! We need competition for Tomlin and another right back?

Irony, my friend.

[the other bob wilson]

Good luck Neil.

Top shot stopper and all round nice guy. Deserves to be No 1 somewhere. The deal makes sense for all parties.