GF,
I think the Ryanair deal is more about MAN than MAG - something good offered following previous spats - EMA grew despite these. MAN has always been able to have a bit of an attitude - it is big enough to attract a wide range of carriers and far enough away from London to attract the lucrative long haul stuff.
So not bad news for BHX as such - just a lack of good news.
Re: LS - I would suggest an empty airfield a little further up the A45 would welcome them with open arms, and no concerns over runway length (not sure about their 738s though). The LS forum suggests they are happy at EMA though and neither BHX nor CVT are on the radar.