Birmingham Mail

Sammons Hungry for Place in First Team

RISING star Ashley Sammons insists that Blues' kids are ready to make the step up, despite Alex McLeish's academy snub this week. The Blues boss opted to take a squad of only 16 to Southampton for Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie and fell two short of the allocated seven substitutes.

Milner Appeal to Villa Critics

JAMES Milner has sarcastically summed up the over-reaction to Villa's stuttering start by jokingly describing the Liverpool triumph as "three points in our relegation battle". Milner, like manager Martin O'Neill and the rest of the Villa players, were stung by the amount of criticism they received after their opening defeat to Wigan.

Blackburn Spell 'No Disaster' for Fergie

WANT to rattle Alex McLeish's cage? Then just ask him about Barry Ferguson's ill-fated spell at Blackburn. Because Big Eck believes the exiled Scotland international's 17- month stay at Ewood Park was anything but disastrous.

Espinoza/Benitez Salute

NEW duo Giovanny Espinoza and particularly Christian Benitez have provided Blues with a considerable boost. That's the view of Stuart Parnaby, who was in the side when the Ecuador pair clocked their first 90 minutes for Blues at Southampton.

Parnaby Back in the Groove

STUART Parnaby has outlined his desire to do whatever it takes to help Blues achieve their goal of survival of this season. Parnaby had been helping out as a makeshift left-back before Gregory Vignal signed, and then Stephen Carr was moved across to that flank for the visit of Stoke City.

Cox: We're On Track for Promotion

SIMON Cox believes Roberto Di Matteo has got Albion on the right track for promotion. The Baggies had won three of their four League games before today's trip to Sheffield United, having also earned a place in today's Carling Cup third-round draw.

Roberto: Fitness Drive's Paying Off

WHEN Albion players spent the summer pounding the football pitches of a humid and sunny Slovenia, there was a method to the madness. Some weeks later and the club have just come through a gruelling Carling Cup game against Rotherham on a wet and windy night.

Reid Eager to Grab Chance

ALBION's summer spending policy has seen a significant shift this summer. Taking the signings of Youssouf Mulumbu and Gonzalo Jara out of the equation - who had been watched for 14 months as it turns out - Albion have been shopping more locally than in the past couple of years.

Matt Applies Vieira Finish

WALSALL midfielder Matt Richards insists he cannot boast of being Walsall's own Patrick Vieira yet, but admits he has been watching the Inter Milan star for long enough to pick up some of his skills. The former Ipswich Town player grew up an Arsenal fan, in the days when Vieira was the main man in midfield, and has managed to force his way into manager Chris Hutchings's team this season, relishing a new central midfield role.

Deeney: Give Us Time to Gel

WALSALL hot-shot Troy Deeney has urged fans not to judge his new strike partnership with Sam Parkin too soon into the season and to give him ten games to get things up and running. The Birmingham-born striker has played only four games with his fellow goal ace and admits it takes time to gel.

Hutchings in Feelgood Warning

CHRIS Hutchings has warned his side to be wary of the "feelgood factor" newly-promoted Gillinghan will bring to the Banks's Stadium in this afternoon's League One clash. The Gills came up from League Two last season and the Walsall manager is only too aware the euphoria and enthusiasm which got them promoted will be evident in their play.

Causeway Trio Hit a Bum Note

CAUSEWAY United boss Carl Burley confessed it was hardly music to his ears when three of his players pulled out of this week's trip to Leicester's Friar Lane and attended the V Festival at Weston Park instead. Burley admitted: "I wasn't too pleased when they told me but there was very little I could do about it. It was a case of reverting to Plan B." The trio's absence failed to take the shine off Causeway's superb start to the season.

Adams Hails Coleshill Progress

CARL Adams insists his Coleshill Town side are getting better by the day. His enthusiasm was fired after a 2-0 win at Shifnal Town this week.

Frain Stays Positive in Face of Woe

PETE Frain was in positive mood this week despite the fact his Highgate United side are left propping up the Aspire Midland Alliance league table without a point to their name. The Gate threatened to get their season up and running this week when they led third-placed Westfields 3-2 going into the closing stages.

Boldmere in Sphinx Crash

BOLDMERE St Michaels were brought crashing back down to earth this week when they were beaten 5-2 by Coventry Sphinx. The result came as a real shock to the system as the Mikes hadn't conceded a single goal prior to the game having previously reeled off three straight wins.

Contrasting Fortunes for Church

ALVECHURCH were trying to digest two wildly contrasting performances this week. Battered 7-0 by early season leaders Barwell last Saturday, the Church responded by hammering Cradley Town 5-0 in midweek.

Studley Search

LEE Adams will step up his search to bring another striker to Studley this week. Adams will act after prolific marksman Craig Pountney picked up an ankle injury during this week's 1-0 beating by Bridgnorth Town, which could keep him out for several games.

Lawrie Halfway to Joining Elite Tour Club ; Golf

PAUL Lawrie has a chance this weekend to achieve something which has even eluded Tiger Woods so far. Only two players - David J Russell in 1992 and Jesper Parnevik three years later - have ever gone through a European Tour event without dropping a stroke.

Lewis Quickest at His Favoured Spa ; Formula One: Champion's Resurgence Continues As He Tops Practice Timesheets

LEWIS HAMILTON'S recent resurgence continued on his favourite track as the reigning world champion topped practice ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix tomorrow. Thankfully, after the first session was disrupted by rain that fell steadily for an hour, the black clouds lifted for a dry run in the afternoon.

Button's Far From Happy in Practice

JENSON Button fears suffering another dose of the qualifying blues today that could further undermine his Formula One world title hopes. Button has struggled over one lap in the last four grands prix, and that has compromised his race, coming away with just 11 points in total from Britain, Germany, Hungary and Valencia.