Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is confident his summer signings will enhance his side’s Premier League credentials but dismissed talk of reaching Europe as “nonsense”.

Chile winger Jean Beausejour, Czech Republic defender Martin Jiranek and Belarus midfielder Alexander Hleb joined the Midland club on a busy transfer deadline day, prompting talk the Blues could improve on last season’s ninth-place finish.

But McLeish does not want fans to get carried away and insists he will be content first and foremost just to maintain the club’s Premier League status.

“That’s nonsense to start talking about that,” he said. “I thought silly season finished when the window closed.

“I don’t think we should be thinking about that. We’re still a fledgling Premier League team. We want to establish ourselves and develop again.

“If we finish in the top 17, like the targets I set last season, then I’ll be happy.

“Some people might not be happy with that but for me there’s around eight teams that are going to be pretty hard to keep in touch with over the course of the season.

“There’s another 12 out there playing to stay in the Premier League.”

McLeish is confident, however, that his new arrivals will move Birmingham in the right direction.

“Collectively they’ll enhance the quality of the squad,” he said.

“We try to take a step up with each season, and sometimes you take a step up within each window.

“We believe that we have again enhanced the overall quality of the squad.

“But it doesn’t guarantee you anything because we know that we’re not a surprise package this year and that teams will be waiting for us.

“We’re well aware of that challenge, and I’m throwing the gauntlet down to the players that did so well last year, and saying to them ‘do it again guys’.”

Jiranek has loftier ambitions than his new managers, though, and reckons Europe is a distinct aim.

Speaking through an interpreter, he said: “Is it seven teams that go into Europe? Then yes, I think so.”

You can back Birmingham to finish in the top four of the Premier League 2010/11 at odds of 41.00, while it’s 8.00 for the Blues to be relegated come the end of the season.

Birmingham’s next league fixture sees them take on Liverpool at St Andrews on Sunday 12th September. Match betting has Birmingham at 3.20 to win the game, with Liverpool 2.10 and the draw 3.30.

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New Stoke City signing Marc Wilson reveals he had little trouble deciding on whether to join the join the cub on transfer deadline day as he was desperate for a Barclays Premier League return.

Having been relegated with Portsmouth last season the 23-year-old was forced to consider his future and when Potters manager Tony Pulis came calling he leapt at the chance.

“I was impressed with what Tony had to say from the start,” said Wilson.

“He was very positive and it didn’t take me long to make my mind up.

“I’d heard West Ham were interested, but I didn’t speak to anyone there.

“This is a great club and I couldn’t wait to come back to the Premier League because it is every player’s ambition to be in the top flight.

“I had a taste of the Premier League last season and I wanted to get back there as soon as possible.

“Leaving Portsmouth was difficult because I’ve been there for so long, but I wish them well and my aim now is to do my best for Stoke.”

Hopefully I can make my debut against Aston Villa.

Marc Wilson

Wilson was one of three deadline day signings with former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen and ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant also signing at the Britannia stadium.

But the competition for places does not worry the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

“Obviously Eidur and Jermaine are top players and it was a good feeling to be joining the club on the same day,” he told The Sentinel.

“But there are a number of very good players here already.

“There has already been a bit of banter thrown around and it seems to be a lively dressing room.

“Hopefully I can make my debut against Aston Villa (on 13th September) and build a good rapport with them straight away.

“But if I’m not selected, I’ll bide my time until I get my chance.”

Full Time Result betting for the Potters’ home clash against Villa has Stoke at 2.30 to get the win, Villa can be backed at 2.87 while the draw is 3.25.

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New Stoke City signing Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his debut in their next Barclays Premier League game against Aston Villa if he can get match fit in time.

The former Chelsea, Tottenham and Bolton striker was one of three deadline day signings for Stoke who also secured the services of defender Marc Wilson and winger Jermaine Pennant.

Gudjohnsen spent the second half of last season at White Hart Lane but started only four games before returning to Monaco, where he had failed to impress after moving from Barcelona in the summer of 2009.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said of the 31-year-old: “He’s a fantastic player and will provide that little bit more quality that we want. He’s looking to come in and make an impact.

“He’s a fantastic professional. To play where he’s played and to have that record, that speaks volumes for the lad and his character.”

Gudjohnsen is not match fit but Stoke do not play again until the home game against Villa on 13th September, and Pulis is hoping he will be in contention.

“He’ll do a mini pre-season and we hope he’ll be close when we play again,” added the Potters boss on Sky Sports News.

Stoke have had a disappointing start to the season, with losses to Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea, but Pulis is hoping his new recruits, coupled with the earlier signings of Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters, can make a difference.

He added: “It shows the way the club’s moved on but we’ve got to make sure they come in and have the same attitude as the rest of the players. If they do that then hopefully they’ll make us a better team.”

Full Time Result betting for the Midlands derby has Stoke at 2.30 to pick up the win, Aston Villa can be backed at 2.87 while the draw is 3.25.

Stoke are currently 5.00 to be relegated from the Premier League 2010/11.

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Blackpool secured the signing of former Wycombe player Matt Phillips today and manager Ian Holloway reveals he had been tracking the winger for some time.

The 19-year-old has joined for an initial fee of £325,000, which could rise to around £700,000 with the Seasiders paying a further six-figure sum should they achieve Barclays Premier League survival this season.

“Matty has been on our radar for some time,” said Holloway.

“He did well in the European Under-19 tournament for England in the summer and has played almost 80 league games for Wycombe – which at 19 is a real achievement.

“I can’t wait for him to get involved in our system and to work with him on the training ground.”

Wycombe boss Gary Waddock was sad to see Phillips go but admitted the chance for the player was too good for the club to reject.

“It’s a great opportunity for Matty to play in the Premier League and we couldn’t stand in his way,” he said.

“He is an outstanding prospect and I’m sorry to lose him but it’s a great move for him and excellent business for the football club.”

Blackpool are currently 1.33 to be relegated from the Premier League this season.

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St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes claimed his side’s extra quality saw them through a tricky Co-op Cup second-round tie against Morton.

Scott Dobie, making his first start for Saints, gave the home side the interval lead with a header after 22 minutes and 10 minutes from the end Murray Davidson sealed the Scottish Premier League side’s passage through to the next round.

McInnes was pleased with the way his players prevented any real possibility of a cup upset.

“I’m happy to be through into the next round,” the former Morton midfielder said.

“We knew how difficult it was going to be against Morton, who are a good First Division side.

“Morton put us under pressure at times but our players showed a good attitude throughout.

“We defended well when we had to, controlled the game and the quality we had came through and got us the goals.

“So it’s good to get through because we want to go as far as we can in this competition.

“We’ve been in a few semi finals of cup competitions in recent years and we want to do that again and more.”

Morton boss Allan Moore watched his side put up a sterling effort only to fall short.

“I am delighted with the performance but disappointed to go out of the cup,” the former St Johnstone winger said.

“St Johnstone scored against the run of play and then the game opened up and when they got the second goal, it killed it.

“But we put on a good show and played some good football.

“We lacked a cutting edge and our final ball in to the box was poor although the St Johnstone keeper had a couple of good saves to make.”