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Sullivan blames disappointing summer signings for relegation

12/05/2008

Birmingham City co-owner David Sullivan has blamed the club's under-performing players for their relegation from the Premier League.

Sullivan says the players they brought in last summer were not good enough and now regrets targeting a large number of players to boost squad numbers rather than a few quality players.

The Blues were relegated after a run of one win in their last six matches but Sullivan says the trouble began with former manager Steve Bruce's choice of transfer targets last year.

Sullivan told Sky Sports: "He [Bruce] thought he needed numbers - we went for numbers. So instead of going for quantity, we should have gone for quality. Some of those players have been incredibly disappointing."

The co-owner said many of the players had been disappointing but singled out full-back Frank Queudrue in particular.

He said: "We spent £2.25million on Franck Queudrue and he has been a major disappointment to the club. We bought a third choice goalkeeper - a complete waste of space.

"I could go right down the list and nobody has really shone out. Most of what we signed last summer has been a disappointment," Sullivan added.

"The bottom line is we didn't improve the team last summer that is where it all started what we bought last summer."

Queudrue defended himself on talkSPORT, claiming he had not played enough games this season to have caused the Blues' downfall. The full-back played just 14 times in the league during an injury-hit season.

He argued: "I didn't get enough games. He says he can name a list [of rubbish players]. So I want to see the list and who's on there. I didn't play so I don't know how to take that."

Queudrue says he does not know if he will remain at the club next season.