00:00On to Birmingham City, obviously suffering a loss to Charlton in their last League One
00:06game. I mean, it's just sort of exaggerated that League One isn't quite a walkover that
00:11it might look after their unbelievable start to the season. How are fans reacting after
00:16that? Obviously, you know, it's no time for panic stations, but it certainly is a little
00:20reminder that it can prove quite a tough division to escape. And if you get a bit complacent
00:27like the likes of Sunderland did in the past, you know, it can sort of get you.
00:31We've seen teams with a lead of 10, 12, 13, 14 points in League One and that gets heavily
00:37reduced at the end of the season. We saw in the Championship last year of Leicester City,
00:41they started to get a bit complacent and then a bit of squeaky bum time towards the end
00:44of the season. These teams, either they do act up and then they manage to see it on through
00:49and get promoted, or they can fall away and lose it completely. Obviously, so early doors
00:53for Birmingham to see if they're going to be falling away or not. But that Charlton
00:58game is a reminder. As Chris Davies, the manager, has been saying this whole time, you can't
01:03take any League One game for granted, any win for granted. Charlton, they're not exactly
01:07the best team in the world and they lost their best player, Alfie May, to Birmingham in the
01:12summer, but Blues didn't even have a shot on target at the Valley. Charlton did set
01:16up quite defensively after they got their goal, as you would do against the best team
01:20in the league, and they worked hard to get that three points. I think the main reaction
01:24from the Blues fans is, oh, OK, right, maybe Davies is right, this isn't going to be so
01:28easy. I think they're a little bit disappointed that unbeaten record is gone, but realistically,
01:33you're never going to get an unbeaten record in 46 matches. It would have to be one of
01:37the most perfect seasons we've ever seen.
01:39Obviously, we've mentioned the massive summer, the amount of signings, there's been some
01:45contract situations being updated. What appeals to me is the length of these contracts as
01:52well, the 2028, three or four years' time. What's the latest you can tell us on the contract
01:58situation and how pleased should Blues be to secure these names for a few more years?
02:05The main two recently have been Heik Seng Ho, the midfielder, and Ethan Laird, the right
02:10back. Both, I believe, until 2028, which is a long-term commitment for both players. Heik
02:17Seng Ho, in particular, is showing his quality. He's definitely a division above, if not higher.
02:22If they go up to the championship, they should be pretty comfortable starting those two players
02:26every single week. And then Ethan Laird maybe leaves a little bit to be desired defensively
02:30with his positioning and his tracking back. But going forward, he's got so much energy,
02:34so much charisma, and his delivery may be a little bit inconsistent at times, but he's
02:39definitely got the potential to be a top quality player for Blues. Obviously, formerly
02:42of Manchester United as well, he's had that good upbringing and training at Old Trafford.
02:47So to tie those two players down is very important. And I think it assures Blues that they're
02:52not just spending money for the here and now, they're looking to several years ahead. These
02:55crazy sums that we're seeing, it is a long-term plan. It's not just for this season.
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