Big Ron sees the Blues as real promotion contenders

Former Aston Villa and West Brom boss Ron Atkinson is joining the BBC WM team to launch the new football season.

Big Ron has given us his thoughts on how the West Midlands' clubs will fare, and he thinks Birmingham City can bounce back to the Premier League.

"I do expect Blues to be around there. It depends who comes in. I saw Blues play a lot last season and I only saw them get beat once," Atkinson said.

"But they did look well short on quality and they need some more."

Alex McLeish seems to agree with Big Ron, and already this summer he has added Kevin Phillips and Marcus Bent to his strikeforce, and brought in midfielders Lee Carsley, Kemy Agustien and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.

"Maybe the kid Cameron Jerome might have a good season this year - the Champioship might suit him," said Atkinson.

"He did very well when he was at Cardiff in that division, he might be worth persevering with in there."

Atkinson also feels it is important that McLeish can keep hold of prize assets James McFadden and Seb Larsson until the transfer deadline passes at the end of August.