Our verdict on Birmingham City's transfer window as Chris Davies completes hat-trick
The transfer window has ground to a halt and Birmingham City finished on three signings following the deadline day arrival of Lee Myung-jae.
Lee, a 31-year-old South Korea international, has been signed to fill the void at left-back created by Lee Buchanan’s season-ending injury. Grant Hanley and Kieran Dowell have also been signed to aid Blues’ promotion push.
The most notable departure saw Dion Sanderson sent on loan to Championship side Blackburn Rovers. A clutch of youngsters also left Blues in search of more regular football.
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Alex Dicken (AD) and Brian Dick (BD) have given their thoughts on Blues’ winter window below…
What have you made of Blues’ business?
AD: "Blues have replaced the two senior players they lost – Lee Buchanan and Sanderson – with Hanley and Lee, plus they’ve added something a bit different to their attacking line-up in the form of Dowell. Blues have ended the window stronger than they started it, as Chris Davies said they would. It’s no surprise Davies has plumped for experience and all three signings are used to playing at a higher level than League One."
BD: "Their summer rebuild was so extensive and effective they didn’t really leave themselves too much to do in January. But that would not have been the case had Chris Davies not produced such a cohesive side out of his 17 new recruits. If Blues had been off the pace in fourth and there had been even a hint of jeopardy about their promotion prospects they’d have had to make another splash this month. Instead all they had to do was tinker.
"Move on from and replace Dion Sanderson, find some game-time for a few youngsters and maybe look at the area of the team that has been both injury hit and ever so slightly underwhelming – the attack. Honestly I’d have loved them to have found the answer at winger, instead they brought in the accomplished and experienced Kieran Dowell who is probably a better fit for Davies’ machine. They wouldn’t have anticipated needing cover at left-back, time will tell how well they have made up for Lee Buchanan’s cruel injury. Overall, it’s been a solid window when solid was all that was required."
Which signing do you think will have the biggest impact?
AD: "Hanley has three very capable centre-backs blocking his path to the first XI and Lee has to fight Alex Cochrane, who is a contender for Player of the Season. Rotation is more common in the forward positions so I think Dowell will get the most game time. Dowell’s first start against Rotherham went well and I would expect him to feature prominently whilst Willum Willumsson is out."
BD: "I’m not sure how much Hanley will play. It’s difficult to see Lee Myung-jae displacing Alex Cochrane as the starter. That leaves Dowell who could well be the piano-player that Davies’ piano movers require."
Do you see a long-term future at Blues for any of the three additions?
AD: "The message has been that it’s up to those coming in to convince Davies and Co that they are worthy of a Championship chance, should the club earn promotion. Lee has a job on his hands to oust Cochrane but he does have pedigree as a South Korea international. Hanley and Dowell have bags of Championship experience though so how can we rule them out? Dowell would be my tip of the three."
BD: "Hanley – no. Lee Myung-jae is 31, so probably not. Dowell is the one with plenty of road ahead of him. I think he’ll need to do very well for the issue of a permanent transfer to be raised in June."
Is there something you wanted Blues to address this month that they haven’t?
AD: "I quite liked the idea of Blues signing a speedy wide player at the outset but I can understand why they haven’t. Keshi Anderson’s form of late has been such that it would be harsh to bring someone in to do a job he is doing more than adequately. Without wanting to be greedy, I feel as though Blues have ticked the relevant boxes."
BD: "Seventeen games unbeaten, how much can I moan? It’s fine. Alright then, a genius winger."
Rate Blues’ window out of 10
AD: 8
BD: 8