Birmingham Mail

Sullivan's Happy to Be Just a Fan Now

DAVID Sullivan has spent a fair amount of time at loggerheads with Blues fans. In a couple of weeks he will be one of them - watching the club as a supporter.

Gabby's Hard Work Praised

ASHLEY Young has saluted Villa strike sensation Gabby Agbonlahor for getting back up to speed so quickly this season following his late return to training. Agbonlahor has hit five goals in five games despite being given an extended summer break because of his club and England under-21 commitments.

Carew Keen to Sing the Praises of 'Vital' Fans

VILLA striker John Carew has paid tribute to the Holte End faithful for their support this season and intimated the fans can be the club's 12th man. Carew has been impressed by the support this season with Villa flying high and thinks that might never be more vital than on Monday night when the next tough test for Martin O'Neill's men is the visit of Manchester City to Villa Park.

John Sees the Bigger Picture

CLARET and blue big man John Carew has warned Manchester City there is more to come from him after revealing that he is still short of match fitness. Although Carew (pictured) missed the beginning of the season with a sore toe and a virus, he has recently been restored to the first XI alongside Gabby Agbonlahor.

O'neill Backing Dunne to Shine

MARTIN O'Neill believes Richard Dunne will be anxious to prove a point against Manchester City on Monday night rather than dwelling on last weekend's blip at Blackburn. The Irish defender was culpable for both of Rovers' goals in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Ewood Park, failing to clear for the first and conceding a dubious penalty for the second.

Teemu Plays with Military Precision

NATIONAL service is supposed to turn a boy into a man. But in Teemu Tainio's case, a brief stint with the Finnish military turned a goal-scoring striker for Manchester United into a tenacious midfielder for French club Auxerre.

Liam's Case for the Defence

LIAM Ridgewell has praised the sterling job that Blues' makeshift defence has done in his absence. From being dangerously threadbare during the opening weeks of the season, Blues boss Alex McLeish now finds himself overflowing with fit defenders.

Youngsters Tipped to Graduate

CHRIS Wood could be the first of many to graduate from Albion's ranks, according to Michael Appleton. The first-team coach was responsible for Albion's youth and reserve teams before his promotion during the summer.

I Was 'Appy' to Take Back Seat

MICHAEL Appleton believes the softly-softly approach helped Albion's new coaching regime settle into the club. The ex-Baggies midfielder was installed as first-team coach following the arrival of Roberto Di Matteo, assistant Eddie Newton and fitness coach Ade Mafe.

Morrison Backed to Shine

JAMES Morrison will be desperate to make up for lost time when he returns for Albion. That's according to his former team-mate Richard Chaplow, who was today due to line up for Preston against the Baggies.

Sylvan's Ready to Pick Up the Pace

SYLVAN Ebanks-Blake says he is ready to finally get his season up and running. The fans' favourite has enjoyed two memorable seasons following his transfer from Plymouth.

Jarvis Hopes to Wing It with Kightly

MATT Jarvis can't wait for Michael Kightly to get his first Premier League start so the two wingers make Wolves dynamite down the flanks. The pair were at times immense in operating as a twin threat in the club's title winning season.

Halford: I'm Not at Full Tilt Yet

GREG Halford says he has not yet lived up to his full potential and has promised there is plenty left in his tank. The former Colchester and Reading defender has gone some way towards rebuilding his reputation after a difficult time under Roy Keane at Sunderland.

Josh's Focus On First-Team Role

JOSH O'Keefe says he is ready to break into the first team at Walsall as he sets about winning a new contract. The 20-year-old midfielder signed a one-year deal in July but has yet to start in the team.

Hutchings Is Looking Upwards

CHRIS Hutchings insists promotion is still very much on the agenda for Walsall this season. The Saddlers can move to within striking distance of the play- off places with a win over Carlisle today.

Building for the Future

WALSALL are still going through a transitional phase according to Chris Hutchings, who will continue to demand an improvement on last season's mid-table position. "We brought seven or eight new players in (in pre-season) and they are still gelling," said the Saddlers boss.

Yates Praises Patient Show

KIDDERMINSTER manager Mark Yates praised his side's patience this week following their 2-0 win over Wrexham. The Welshmen were reduced to ten men in the first half following an horrendous tackle on David McDermott, who had to be stretchered off.

Gary Making Hay for Reds

GARY Hay sparked Redditch United back into life this week to shake off the challenge of Midland Alliance minnows Stratford Town. Hay struck twice in the closing stages of their FA Cup replay to secure a Third Qualifying Round clash with local rivals Solihull Moors.

Lambs in Mood to Stun the Hatters

TAMWORTH can rubber-stamp their tremendous start to the Blue Square Premier campaign at Luton Town today. The Lambs will kick-off the game in seventh place - ahead of Luton, who parted company with manager Mick Harford in midweek - on goal difference.

Bromsgrove in Fresh Blow

BROMSGROVE Rovers look set to be placed into administration. Rovers already face a windingup order in the High Court which is scheduled to take place on October 23.