BLUES HIT OUT AT 'POACHERS'

Sullivan - furious.

Birmingham have threatened legal action against Wigan over the 'poaching' of their coaching staff.

Former Blues boss Steve Bruce left St Andrews last November to take the reins at the Latics, and subsequently took many of his backroom staff with him.

Assistant manager Eric Black joined him at JJB Stadium, as did goalkeeping coach Nigel Spink.

Academy coach Will Royall is the latest to arrive in the north West, and Blues co-owner David Sullivan is growing increasingly frustrated.

Sullivan said: "The Premier League states you are not allowed to poach other people's staff. What do we want? Compensation. It's not sour grapes.

"All of these people had to be replaced and most have cost us. While people are saying we got £3million (compensation) for Steve Bruce that does not allow Wigan to rape and pillage us for the next 20 years."

Wigan have also signed midfield trio Daniel de Ridder, Olivier Kapo and Wilson Palacios from the Blues since Bruce left the club, but the Latics insist they have done nothing wrong.

A Wigan source said: "Along with the management staff, we have signed Wilson Palacios, Daniel de Ridder and Olivier Kapo.

"They didn't take up the option on Palacios, gave de Ridder a free transfer and received their money back on Kapo. So we cannot understand what all this fuss is about."