BLUES TARGET PAVLYUCHENKO

McLeish eyes Russian misfit

By Aidan Magee, 31/10/2009

ROMAN PAVLYUCHENKO is a January target for Birmingham boss Alex McLeish.

The Tottenham striker was signed for £14million by Juande Ramos in the summer of 2008 and was meant to be the big-name replacement for Dimitar Berbatov.

But the Russian, who arrived from Spartak Moscow, was told in the summer that he is no longer part of Harry Redknapp's long-term plans.

McLeish, granted a multi-million pound budget to spend in the transfer window by new owner Carson Yeung, desperately requires a target man who can play up front on his own.

Pavlyuchenko, 27, needs first-team football to have any chance of making the World Cup with Russia, who still have to qualify for South Africa through the play-offs.

He has started only one game this season - and that was a Carling Cup tie at Doncaster.

McLeish is also looking at two wingers - Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson and QPR's Wayne Routledge.

The former Scotland boss is determined to persist with his 4-5-1 formation and needs a greater threat from the wide areas if his side are to improve their goal tally of just six goals from nine games.

McLeish is hopeful that an offer of around £6m will persuade Championship club Boro to do business over Johnson.

Routledge has been one of the top performers outside the top flight this term but is also fancied by Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan.

Your comments

This article has 11 comments

It would'nt work out for pav up there anyway!! pavs the sort of player who likes to play neat 1 touch football, the spurs way... Not this hoofing push and run stuff that u lot play!!! Na it won't happen.........

By dannymodric.. Posted November 16 2009 at 6:46 PM.

Adriano would and could be a good target in Jan. He is playing in Brazil at present and has a clause in his contract that states he can go for free if a european team come in for him. Might be worth looking at as he is desperate to play for Brazil in SA. KRO

By NNBlueNose.. Posted November 16 2009 at 1:57 PM.

We'd have him (maybe) but we wouldnt pay 14 million for him, maybe 7 million at a push, but lets be real for a second, Spurs are not a top 4 team, theyre not even a top 6 team, and barely a top 8 team - at best... so if Pavvy cant get in their nothing special team then do we really want him? i mean if he isnt good enough for Spurs (and they aint all that good themselves) then do we want one of their reserves? I'd keep looking around, theres alot of good strikers around you can get for 10 million.

By Bluenose.. Posted November 16 2009 at 1:34 AM.

I can't believe Spud fans giving it the big I AM.You,re a nobody in the prem spuds.We know our place in football,about time you learned yours.

By Superbluesteve.. Posted November 15 2009 at 4:30 PM.

Max he isnt good enough for us so you can keep him. Oh and as for Russia being better than going "Downwards" dont talk such rubbish.

Spurs aren't so great and he signed for them so I am sure he'd sign on for us if we wanted him.

By g blue.. Posted November 14 2009 at 5:22 PM.

Maybe Ramos overestimated his value initially, and Harry has put his own worth on the subject, by the number of contributions to Spurs,no matter what media hype.
Birmingham are a team in ascendancy, with a limited budget to be spread in January, and Big Eck has to spend wisely. A realistic figure for the Russian"s services may attract a bid, but £14m ?? or approaching . get real!
There are other more realistic and capable targets for Alex. in the strike force area, although this is certainly a requirement .
Birmingham is blessed at present with Eastern promise and self hype, except for Benitez, up front, and in most eyes, this problem has to be rectified.
The results so far have not been a catastrophe, but the Russian would have to tick all the boxes for Alex to sign.

By Bobm.. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:57 PM.

i can't abide this snobbery from established clubs, birmingham have every right to sign who they like, the prem is not an oligopoly you fools, blues fans will have the last laugh cause supermac n supercarson are in the throes of establishing us which means some other empire must fall, keep right on!

By giarc nella.. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:18 PM.

By giarc nella.. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:15 PM.

Pavlyuchenko is a good striker, he proved that playing for Russia under Hiddink. He has scored very good goals. Harry Redknapp wants to promote British grown players, thats obvious, and some of his close knit foreigners he used before. Pav bought by technical director and gang at Spurs sadly his talent is not being used to the max. Not sure Birmingham deserves his services? Don't know y?
If Pav is good enough for Hiddink and Russia dont know why he's not good for Redknapp and Tottenham. Dont know y either.

By Max Johnson.. Posted November 1 2009 at 6:11 PM.

My goodness, what a ridiculous idea of Pav going to Birmingham. He's much too good , anyone in football knows that. Absurd thinking.
Shame that he isn't in our fututre, lots of us Spurs would like him to have more chances and not just come on as sub. I'd like to see him and JD play except Harry's fave Keane gets the nod. Let's face it, with the Wrld Cup coming up he'd be better going to Russia not downwards to Birmingham.

By Jan.. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:10 PM.

Leave the Russian in Spurs' reserves we want better players at St Andrews not overpaid underachievers.

By RipMcWinkle.. Posted November 1 2009 at 11:51 AM.

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