Birmingham: Big transfers could be disruptive
LONDON, England (AP) — Carson Yeung’s ownership of Birmingham began in October with skepticism about his financial clout and a loss to Arsenal that left the team only above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference.
Almost three months on, Yeung and his team of Chinese executives can’t scarcely believe the extent of the club’s rapid transformation, with Birmingham enjoying its best top-flight run in 101 years.
A 1-0 victory over Stoke on Monday extended Birmingham’s unbeaten streak since the Arsenal loss to 11 matches. That hoisted the central England club, which hasn’t won a major title since the 1963 League Cup, to seventh in the standings, three points below the European places.
“We initially hoped to succeed by just remaining in the Premier League this season,” vice-chairman Peter Pannu told The Associated Press yesterday. “Now hopefully we will create history here by not being another yo-yo club. The down mood has disappeared and there is a completely rejuvenated environment.
“To suggest we don’t have aspirations of Europe would be wrong, but we don’t want to set targets too high so we keep our feet on the ground.”