Chris Wood Epitomises Chris Hughton's Revamped Birmingham City

Chris Wood was initially recruited as a stop-gap signing by Chris Hughton earlier this season and his arrival from West Bromwich Albion barely merited a mention.

But the New Zealander is already helping to reinvigorate Birmingham's promotion mission and lift the storm clouds that have been hovering over St. Andrew's for months.

Introduced after injuries to Cameron Jerome and Nikola Zigic, Wood is surpassing expectations after taking his tally to five for the season with a hat-trick against Millwall on Sunday.

Wood epitomises the new-look, revamped Birmingham team under Hughton after a summer of upheaval that has included a staggering turnover of 37 players.

While the likes of Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, Ben Foster, Craig Gardner and Jerome all jumped through the escape hatch to the Premier League, Hughton has been battling to assemble a squad capable of delivering Carson Yeung's remit of promotion.
Ever since his appointment at Birmingham, Hughton has had to operate under great uncertainty with the exit resembling a revolving door. He has cut a typically dignified figure during a difficult period of transition and acrimony off the field, while patiently counting down the days until the transfer window closed.

But now, finally, he can plot a promotion challenge in the Championship without the fear of any more departures.

Only four of the personnel from last season in the top flight started in the game against Millwall but Hughton appears to have a squad hungry to prove that so many high-profile exits will not damage their objective.

Wood, 19, has been sent out on loan to Barnsley and Brighton since his arrival at the Hawthorns in 2009 and his spell at Birmingham already appears to be having a beneficial effect on his education.

Hughton said: "Coming in and playing regularly he has an opportunity to improve. It's difficult when you bring players in on loan because sometimes you are never sure how it's going to work out. I was aware of what he'd done last year on loan and so far it's working out for us.

"He's enjoying it very much. I thought the turning point was the game at Nacional away from home where he did very well.

"From that moment there were good signs and now he's playing regularly. He is delighted to be here and really enjoying it."

Wood's performance will certainly have silenced the doom and gloom merchants, while fellow new recruits Boaz Myhill, Chris Burke and Morgaro Gomis also hinted at a bright future.

Retaining Liam Ridgewell and Jean Beausejour, despite the former submitting a transfer request on deadline day and interest in the latter from Wigan, has also been a welcome piece of resistence from Birmingham's board to boost Hughton.

And after such a difficult summer, the Birmingham manager can now operate without distractions and rebuild a club capable of a crack at promotion.

Don't Rule out Asamoah Gyan Returning to Sunderland

 

To lose one record signing in a calendar year is unfortunate.

For two to leave in the space of seven months is the height of carelessness. Welcome to the anything but dull world of Sunderland Football Club.

First things first, the departure of Asamoah Gyan to play in the United Arab Emirates, in footballing terms at least, is no great shakes.

Certainly, it's nothing on the void left by Darren Bent's equally hasty and similarly unexpected exit to Aston Villa in January.

In a 12-month spell on Wearside where he has struggled for form and fitness, a modest return of 11 goals in 37 appearances suggests Gyan's departure, though ill-timed, is one from which Sunderland can move on. That's somewhat unlike the case with Bent, whose absence is one still being felt in the 'goals for' column.

Sunderland have plenty of things going for them. A fine stadium and training complex, an impressive fanbase and plenty of tradition and history.

But, just as the Bent affair proved, Gyan following him out of the door shows that in the grand scheme of things, the Black Cats are still some way down the pecking order in football's food chain.

For their inconvenience at least, they receive a loan fee approaching half the £13m they paid for the player just a year ago.

Asking why the Ghana international should want to pursue his career in a footballing backwater more used to offering players at the end of their careers one last well-paid hurrah is akin to the loaded question Caroline Aherne's character Mrs Merton once asked the lovely Debbie McGee. What do you see in the millionaire Paul Daniels?

In Gyan's, case, according to reports, he saw a pay packet in the region of £120,000-a-week. Or more than three times the remuneration he received at the Stadium of Light, where he had been denied a pay rise despite requesting one soon after his arrival.

"The offer from Al-Ain was too good to refuse," the 25-year-old confessed. We bet it was. But for all those who condemn him for greed, put yourself in his position. Tempting to take the cash and run, isn't it?

At the recent funeral of former Liberty Professionals President Sly Tetteh, Gyan insisted that he wanted to ensure he did something 'meaningful' in his career in memory of his former mentor.

This wasn't it. The words turning and grave spring immediately to mind.

The African forward added: "I didn't have a choice once Sunderland accepted Al-Ain's proposal. I am now looking forward to playing in the UAE."

There, he will lead the line for a side whose home crowds can be in the hundreds. Welcome to life outside the Premier League.

The literal translation of the club's name is 'the spring'. Gyan's departure could see a winter of discontent for Steve Bruce, but such a state of affairs is likely to play out regardless or not of his presence. In his season at the club, he'd hardly shown he was the go to guy to dig the side of out trouble.

After initially leaving the door open for the player's return at the end of his loan stint, the manager soon hardened in his stance towards his errant record signing. "I don't really believe he will have a future here," Bruce insisted.

Maybe not under Bruce, with the way he has treated the manager. But given defeat in eight of their last nine home games, a failure to win so far this term and the fact Bruce lost a whole heap of credibility over Gyan's departure 24 hours after he insisted such a scenario wouldn't come to pass, the genial Geordie is hardly on the most firm of footing right now.

In the ruthless world of Premier League football, the manager might not still be in charge in 12 days, let alone 12 months.

We may not have seen the last of Gyan in a Sunderland shirt, although clearly the player has surrendered his credibility making such a move.

If this whole unedifying affair teaches us anything about the volatile world of top level football in general and Sunderland in particular, it's that it's safer to never say never. 

Kelly Rowland bans booze and sex for X Factor finalists

The new breed of X Factor judges mean business. Gary's got his "real mentoring" and his weekly schedule... Kelly's banned booze, sex, smoking and even talking loudly.

Speaking to The Sun, Ms Rowland revealed she won't be standing for any diva antics (good luck with that one, Kel) and insists hard partying is strictly off limits.

Kelly is determined that nothing will ruin her chances of winning, which means her X Factor girls won't be getting up to any of last year's naughtiness.

"There will be absolutely no alcohol, no smoking, no talking loud in clubs. I want them to take care of their bodies," she explained.

"I will be like, 'Don't let anything knock you off your focus, or you will lose everything."

The former Destiny's Child singer, who was joined by Oscar-winning American Idol Jennifer Hudson during the judges' houses phase (contrary to reports, Beyonce was too busy), revealed she even has her own vocal coach working with the youngsters.

So it's beginning to look as though at least two sets of finalists might actually be quite good.

As for Louis' lot... let's face it, the most we can hope for is the 'likeability factor'.

What do you think - will all this new serious mentoring make for a better competition this year? Leave a comment below...

Sign up to our weekly newsletter | Follow us on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook

There's always the chance that this year's X Factor winner won't turn out to be the star we all hoped for. After all, the losers have a good record when it comes to post X Factor success...

Spartacus star Andy Whitfield dies aged 39

Andy Whitfield, the star of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has passed away at the age of 39.

The Welsh-born Australian actor had been battling non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma but died in Sydney on Sunday.

His wife Vashti released a statement to say Andy had passed away "on a sunny Sydney morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife".

Whitfield played the title role on the hit show throughout the first series but was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in March 2010, while preparing for the show's season two return.

After two months of treatment he was given the all-clear only for the disease to return in September, forcing the actor to quit Spartacus in order to continue treatment.

Chris Albrecht, CEO of the Starz network that produced the series, issued a statement in the wake of his death, saying: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield.

"We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in Spartacus and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life.

"Andy was an inspiration to all of us as he faced this very personal battle with courage, strength and grace."

Andy is survived by his wife and two children.

Our thoughts are with his family.

Irina Shayk Sports Skimpy Lingerie for Sexy Rampage Photoshoot (VIDEO)

 
Bikini season may soon be over but it doesn’t mean Irina Shayk still can’t flaunt her super fit bod!

Following the footsteps of Bar Refaeli and Gisele Bundchen, the Sports Illustrated model has been recently named Rampage‘s newest spokesperson — and the girl is looking fab! Changing from tight-fitting dresses to lacy lingerie, Irina shows off her curves in a new behind-the-scenes video from her Rampage shoot. Check it out above!

It seems like Irina also can’t get enough of Rampage’s new fall line. 

Mily Cyrus Joins Slew of Celebs to Sport Star Trend (PHOTOS)

Celebrities have really shown their star power this summer! It’s the trend that doesn’t end! The summer’s hottest fad: stars has transitioned its way past Labor Day.

Miley Cyrus is just the most recent celeb to rock the galactic print. The 18-year-old former Disney star wore a full length sheer turquoise dress with black stars for her most recent spread in France’s Prestige Magazine. She even paired the dress with giant star shaped earrings! Can that be considered star overkill?!

It’s not too late to jump on the stars bandwagon! Click on the pics above to get inspired by your fave celebs wearing the hottest trend around!

Earlier in the summer, Rose McGowan, Olivia Wilde and a very pregnant Jessica Alba all sported different star frocks in a black and white scheme. Meanwhile, the Black Eyed Peas first lady Fergie and Kim Kardashian wore yellow and black star-inspired dresses.

Sunderland v Chelsea Preview: Andre Villas-Boas Looks to Increase Pressure on Steve Bruce

PREMIER LEAGUE: STADIUM OF LIGHT, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011. KICK-OFF 1500 BST.

They are impressive statistics in anyone's book. No fewer than six consecutive victories, seven games unbeaten. In fact, their most recent defeat arrived almost 11 years ago.

If Chelsea could hand-pick any Premier League venue at which to play an away fixture, with such a fine record on Wearside, it would probably have to be the Stadium of Light.

Add into the mix the fact that they come up against hosts who're yet to taste victory this season, and who are clearly in need of installing barn doors to replace goal posts for their so far hopeless forward line.

Given the circumstances, only those looking through the most red and white tinted glasses would predict anything other than Andre Villas Boas' side stretching their somewhat under-stated though nevertheless unbeaten start to the campaign.
Of course, such an outcome would only serve to further increase the pressure on manager Steve Bruce after what has been a largely miserable start to the season for the Black Cats.

Key Match-Up: Lee Cattermole v Frank Lampard: Only a few days ago, this had the makings of England past against England future. Scrub that. Lampard is well and truly back in the international fold, while the Sunderland skipper needs to up his game in order to fulfil the rich promise that once saw the young Teessider marked out as a soon to be regular with the national side.

Form Guide: Sunderland are without a victory so far this season, with a modest two points from their three Premier League games and a Carling Cup exit at the first hurdle to Brighton. Chelsea are unbeaten, with seven points from a possible nine.

Match Odds: Sunderland 7/2, Chelsea 9/5, Draw 15/2

SUNDERLAND:
It's safe to say that after a single goal in six-and-a-half hours' football, Nicklas Bendtner doesn't have the toughest of acts to follow as the Denmark international prepares to make his debut in the wake of sealing a season-long loan move from Arsenal.

Without a goal between them so far this season, neither Asamoah Gyan or Stephane Sessegnon could complain should they be the one to make way for the new man.

Alternatively, Bruce could accommodate all three players by pairing the former with the 6ft 5in Bendtner up front, and dropping the latter into his more preferred midfielder role.

Given their abject home record against these opponents, there's little doubt Bruce will use last season's stunning 3-0 upset win at Stamford Bridge as a motivational tool in a bid to help engineer a first win on Wearside against the Blues since October, 2000, back in the day when the Premier League was a very different animal.

"I remember watching last season's game at Stamford Bridge on TV, and Sunderland were fantastic," John O'Shea, the summer arrival from Manchester United recalls.

He added: "It was a fantastic display and the confidence and ability they showed against such a strong team means they should hold no fears coming into the game this weekend."

Strategy: It could be two up front for the hosts, rather than Gyan on his own and Sessegnon playing just off him, a formation that has failed to produce a goal since the opening day of the season, and that came from the midfield.

Injury Update: O'Shea is set to miss out with calf and hip problems aggravated on international duty. Phil Bardsley will be checked over for a calf strain sustained playing for Scotland, but the full-back is expected to be fit. Gyan has recovered from a thigh injury. David Meyler is nearing a return from a lengthy lay-off following knee surgery, though no firm date has been set.

CHELSEA:
Manager Villas-Boas is hoping to keep pace with both Manchester sides, but he is unconcerned about the way the Premier League's top two have scored so heavily in their first few games.

"Good for them," said the Portuguese coach. "They've scored a lot of goals and that's good for British football. We just hope to score one more than the opponents.

"It is not a common result (to win 8-2 like United did against Arsenal). It doesn't happen a lot. Manchester United played to perfection and managed to score a lot. Manchester City also lead and we're two points behind them. We want to get nearer. Our objective is shortening the distance."

Villas-Boas believes the title race goes beyond United, City and Chelsea. He added: "We've discussed this before. There are five teams challenging. I wouldn't be stupid enough to leave Tottenham out and it's not impossible they can join the group and challenge."

The clash at Sunderland could also feature Villas-Boas' new signing Raul Meireles, while David Luiz and Petr Cech return from injury.

"We spoke about wanting to fill a space in midfield and bring one more in," Villas-Boas said. "Yossi Benayoun could play in the middle, in the channels or behind the striker.

"We felt that towards what we wanted to achieve in terms of playing style, Raul will fit. It was an extremely good deal for us and we're happy to have him."

Strategy: There is likely to be an air of caution in the early stages as Chelsea know how dangerous Sunderland can be after their victory over them in the capital last season. They will look to control possession and hope to turn the home crowd against Bruce's side.

Injury Update: Didier Drogba is out for another two games with concussion. Cech (knee) and Luiz (thigh) return but Michael Essien (knee) is a long-term absentee.