Birmingham City's new boy Curtis Davies was one that got away, much to Steve Bruce’s annoyance.

The then Blues manager was vying with Albion to sign the centre-half from Luton Town at the end of the summer transfer window in 2005.

Bruce’s scouting reports had likened him to a young Paul McGrath and he wanted him in.

But, despite Bruce’s protestations to the board, Blues fell £500,000 short of the asking price.

Albion took the plunge in a £3 million deal and Bruce ended up bringing in Martin Latka on loan the following January to supplement his defensive options.

It was a signpost to the previous regime’s tightening of the purse strings – and Blues were relegated that campaign.