Opta Jury: Walter Pandiani
Has Pandiani been a hit, a miss or is the jury still out on the Birmingham man?
More than any other manager in The Premiership, Birmingham's Steve Bruce has used the January transfer window to great effect since its largely unwelcome arrival in English football's top division.
In 2003, he drafted in the French international striker Christophe Dugarry, and the former Marseille man scored five goals to help fire City clear of the relegation zone. Two years on, Bruce once again looked to bolster his frontline with a winter signing, and this time the man in question was burly Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani.
Pandiani was brought in on loan from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruña, and despite his initial reluctance to move to England's second city, a goal on his winning debut against fellow strugglers Southampton won the supporters over immediately.
A further three goals were bagged before the end of the season, against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, illustrating Pandiani's undoubted ability at the highest level. It obviously impressed Bruce, as he persuaded the Birmingham board to fund a £3m transfer fee in the summer, giving the club a potential dream frontline of Pandiani, Emile Heskey and Mikael Forssell.
Sadly, things have not worked out for the club in 2005-06 and currently only Sunderland are below Birmingham in the Premiership table. Goalscoring has been a severe problem for the side all campaign, and Pandiani has managed just a solitary strike - against Liverpool in September. The majority of the Uruguayan's appearances this season have been from the bench, perhaps a sign that Bruce is now harbouring doubts about him.
And while Pandiani's total of five goals in 25 appearances for the Blues is not disastrous, it is poor compared to his last season and a half at Deportivo:
| | Walter Pandiani | Walter Pandiani |
| Club | Deportivo | Birmingham |
| Season | 2003-04/2004-05 | 2004-05/2005-06 |
| Appearances | 43 | 25 |
| Time Played | 2,502 | 1,516 |
| | | |
| Goals | 19 | 5 |
| Minutes per Goal | 131.7 | 303.2 |
| Shots On Target | 47 | 17 |
| Shots Off Target | 27 | 30 |
| Shooting Accuracy | 64% | 36% |
| Chance Conversion | 26% | 11% |
 | ||
But since moving to St Andrews, Pandiani's conversion rate has fallen from one goal every four shots to about one in ten, a significant shortfall. Pandiani's shooting accuracy has also declined, perhaps as a result of the difference in defending styles in Spain and England.
What is certain, however, is that with pressure mounting on Steve Bruce from both disgruntled supporters and the Birmingham board, Pandiani needs to begin repaying the faith shown in him when he was first brought to the Midlands.
What do you think? Has Pandiani been a hit, a miss or is the jury still out? Let us have your views and we will publish a selection.
