View From The South – That’s Another Fine Mess We’ve Got Ourselves Into!
A second dose of Bazza for the week!!
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Well it’s down to the wire as our manager has long said would be the case. It is of course dispiriting that having had the prize in our own hands with only twenty or so minutes to go only to have it so cruelly snatched away by two of the best goals we are likely to see at St Andrews for some time to come.
Last evening I sat through the Norwich Reading game in the expectation that the Canaries would put up a rousing performance in front of their own fans purely on the grounds that it was a shit or bust moment for them given their parlous state in the bottom three. They play neat, slick football on their own beautifully manicured pitch and have the capability to trouble anyone. They had not lost in Norfolk to any of the top six all season so I was guardedly optimistic. Sadly they played all their football in front of Reading and never turned Duberry and Bikey who don’t look so clever when facing their own goal. Reading were given far too comfortable a night and when the inevitable chance for Reading came they took it and Norwich capitulated to an easy 2 – 0 defeat. They are probably going down I’m afraid which is a pity since I think they are better value than Barnsley but the Tykes have three more points and possession is nine tenths isn’t it? This brings me neatly on to our own situation:
1. We are in possession of an extra point over Sheffield United and three over Reading.
2. The default position has not changed.
The assumption has to be that Sheffield United are going to win at Crystal Palace. They may not of course but the basic assumption that they will has to be taken as granted. Therefore nothing has changed; Birmingham have to set up to win the game. There is nothing to lose; we have to win at Reading. They for their part have the same objective. They have to attack us and this could play into our hands. We have been better this season at picking teams off away from home than we have been at St Andrews when the onus has been on us to take the game to the opposition e.g. the demolition job we did on teams like Bristol and Doncaster and the mugging of Swansea. In the final analysis, it is Reading, not us who have it all to do; it could just be their undoing. There is always the scenario that Sheffield United won’t win at Palace and the games end up as two draws. Either way, Blues go up. Out of the three teams involved, Sheffield and Reading are dependent on our fate. Sure Reading can go up automatically if they beat us but they are nevertheless dependent on Sheffield also faltering.
Let’s lock horns and may the best prevail. I still believe it to be us. Reading are not a great team. They didn’t need to be to beat an inferior Norwich last night and a simply dreadful Blues at St Andrews earlier in the season. I do not believe we will defend that badly again.
KRO SOTV
Post Preston Match Musings
There are sometimes I just hate football. There we were, under half of the game to go – promoted to the Premier league, and then… well you know. 
The thing is, since saturday – I have had a variety of friends, (meaning well), (well most!), telling me it’s ok – we’ll go up etc. (I wish I could be as confident). I genuinely believe we’ve blown it.
I feel like I’m in a freak show. People pointing at me and whispering at each other – “oh bless him, he’s a Blues fan, must be used to disappointment.” Being sympathetic, pretending they really care or understand. Very odd.
I was really gutted, but now I’m ok, as I live in Devon, after last night’s result – at least I have a visit to Plymouth to look forward to next season.
What do you mean there’s another game?
Oh good grief – here we go again.
Coooooome oooooooon yooouuuu Blooooooooooze!
Penny For Your Thoughts?
Filed under: Articles by akvbcfc, General Football, Penny for Your Thoughts
Here’s akvbcfc’s weekly article.
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Credit Where Credit is Due
Frank Lampard has had a horrendous time of it in the past couple of years. He lost his mother, and now he has had troubles with his long time girlfriend which has led to his home being split. How do the media in this country react? Despicably, as usual.
Newspaper stories have circulated about the behaviour of Lampard and one programme on LBC about Lampard infuriated the Chelsea star. Lampard’s sister was left distressed at what she was hearing, ringing Lamps and pleading with him to ring the radio station directly and talk to the presenter James O’Brien. What day was this programme broadcast? On the anniversary of the passing of Lampard’s mother. Terrible.
It’s about time that the media realise that there are times when you have to back off. The newspaper articles said that Lampard was doing the wrong thing because there were children involved. Well, answer me this, what would have happened if Lampard’s children had heard the radio station on that day? It’s about time the media start to grow up.
In amongst all the pain and heartache that Lampard has suffered, surprisingly, he has shown some of the best form of his Chelsea career. I, for one am surprised that he is not one of the nominees for the PFA Player of the Year award. Even though he has often been the scapegoat for numerous reasons, it’s about time that people lay off Frank Lampard, paying him some of the respect that he deserves. Well done Frank.
Cruel Twist of Fate
Poor Phil Jagielka. Probably Everton’s Player of the Season, and out for the rest of the season. Jagielka scored the winning penalty in the semi-final against Manchester United and he has been excellent all season. Jagielka has made the step up fantastically and he is equally adept whether playing at centre-half, full back or in central midfield. It was a terrible shame that Jagielka got injured and there is no doubt about the fact that he will be missed by the side when they step out at Wembley. The game has its good guys, Jagielka is one of those honest players who fans love because he gives his all every time he steps onto the field of play.
Anybody Out There?!
Nottingham Forest
Barnsley
Norwich
Southampton
Charlton
What do they have in common? Yes, they are all Championship sides. Yes, they are the bottom 5 sides in the league. But, more poignantly, they are all ex-Premier League sides.
It’s all good and well being a Premier League side, but when you get relegated, who cares? Is there anyone left who looks out for you? Yes, there are parachute payments, but is there much else? Both Southampton and Charlton are in money problems, Norwich and Barnsley are at risk, while it has been a fall from grace for Forest who were European champions a couple of decades ago. When you get relegated from the Prem, the money disappears. The pot of gold that you found at the end of the rainbow is no longer there and you are left to manage on your own.
When sides get relegated from the Premier League, two years of meagre parachute payments are not enough. With more and more money available to Premier League teams, relegated sides need more support. They deserve more support. If they don’t get it then…then expect a hell of a lot more teams to be entering administration. Teams are crashing and burning, and nobody cares. Manchester United do not give a damn about Southampton. Manchester United give a damn about Manchester United and Manchester United only. This is not the way that football should be.
If you want to have more money available in the game, then you have to be prepared to help others.
This is meant to be a footballing community. It’s about damn time that certain people are reminded of the meaning of the word ‘community’.
Penalty? Hold on…
Are you seriously suggesting that Gomes fouled Carrick? Seriously?! Come on, be reasonable. Gomes did brilliantly to capture the ball and punch it to one side before he even touched Carrick. So, why did the ref choose to give a penalty when it was blatantly not a penalty? Oh sorry, I didn’t realise we were at Old Trafford. Carry on…
The Toon are Tryin an’ Failin…Don’t You Just Love It?!
What is the difference between Alan Shearer and Newcastle United?
Alan Shearer will be on Match of The Day next season.
By akvbcfc
View From The South – Birmingham City vs Preston North End
Bazza’s take on what was, quite frankly – a miserable evening
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The match was televised and had everything riding on it because of Sheffield United’s win and Burnley’s draw in the matches that had kicked off at 3 pm. My son and I decided our place for this one was at St Andrews and not in front of the telly at home with a few tinnys. Mrs Bazza couldn’t understand this of course but as my regular readers will know by now, she doesn’t possess the football gene and cannot possibly have any inkling about what it means to a football fan whose team stands on the brink of promotion to the Premier League with just one more win.
We travelled the 125 miles as usual listening to Radio 5 Live as the results that could have made the task ahead that little bit easier went against us. St Andrews was much fuller than of late and the atmosphere was a lot more like it. Nearly 25,000 made the sort of noise not heard at our place for a long while and it felt good. There were very few Preston fans and far less than I would have expected. The effect of television probably played a part but perhaps the few that did make the trip had come in hope rather than expectation. Their chances of making the play offs were slim and they would have to win both of their remaining games to stand any chance.
The game kicked off and both teams started brightly with Blues on the front foot especially the first 25 minutes. Despite this, Preston nearly opened their account with a cross by Mellor from the left that evaded everyone and hit the far post. Chris Sedgewick following up lashed the rebound into the side netting. A lucky escape but Blues also had their moments but perhaps not so clear cut. Franck Queudrue was rightfully booked for attempting to score from a corner with his hand rather than his head after 27 minutes and was very fortunate not to concede a penalty for handball just before the interval. Overall a 0 – 0 scoreline was fair at half time although if Preston had been ahead it would have been difficult to complain as they had had the best of the few chances both sides created.
The second half continued in the same vein with both sides playing high tempo entertaining football on a hot afternoon. Sean St Ledger had a free header from six yards which he put well wide when it was easier to score. That was a massive let off and I started to think that maybe just maybe it would be our day after all. Then it came; James McFadden, Blues best player by a country mile, put in an exquisite cross into the Tilton penalty area. Keith Fahey’s header was perfect and was slammed into Lonergan’s bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. The old ground erupted and the noise levels rose to deafening heights. I felt we would probably go on from there and win the game and everything was going according to plan until Lee Bowyer got into a wrestling match on half way with Lee Williamson about seven minutes after we had scored. I confess that I didn’t see the incident as I was following the ball that was at Cameron Jerome’s feet just outside their box. A double red card and it’s a ten a side game. Sadly, Preston coped better with the enforced changes to their formation than we did and they exploited the extra space better. Nevertheless, the equaliser came out of nothing but what a strike! McKenna hit his shot with such venom and pace from thirty yards that it was past Taylor before he could react. Despite this he got closer to it than I thought. The crowd did their best to lift the team who responded by a renewed assault on the Preston goal. Jerome had a headed goal chalked off for offside and a couple of minutes later in a similar position six yards out missed our best chance by blazing the opportunity over the bar. One or two other half chances came and went but with two minutes left Preston were awarded a free kick thirty yards out. Wallace curled a superb shot over the wall striking Taylor’s left hand post before nestling in the opposite corner.
Wallace received his second yellow card for stripping off his shirt in celebration. The Birmingham Post described this rule as ridiculous. I disagree; the players know that a booking is inevitable for this and yet they still do it! Can you imagine the late Brian Clough allowing his players to continually needlessly get booked and miss vital games? Wallace will now miss a game which could be pivotal in Preston’s season. If I were a manager I would warn my players that if they picked up stupid yellow cards for things like this I would fine them a week’s wages and any pay for games they missed as a result. They would soon stop.
Both Preston goals were of incredible quality and each would grace any match played anywhere in the world. To be on the receiving end of one such effort is unfortunate; to get two of such quality in the same match is downright cussedness!
I am like every other Blues fan right now – heartbroken. The journey back for my son and me was as you can imagine muted. However, my lad said to me that it wasn’t all over and we’ll just have to go and win at Reading next week; ah the optimism of youth! He’s right of course; it isn’t all over although it feels it. Perversely, we could still go up even if we lost at Reading! However, Reading would have to not win at Norwich and Sheffield United would have to lose at Crystal Palace. This scenario is unlikely but eminently possible so cheer up bluenoses! What happened against Preston was not a catastrophe; we lost a game of football. This reminds me of the words of Rudyard Kipling:
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
Rather apt at this time I feel. The same poem ends gloriously like this:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son!
Whatever fate has in store for us next Sunday, I’ll be there with my fellow supporters doing my bit; all I ask of the players is they give of their very best; nothing less will do.
KRO SOTV
Come on you Blue Boys
Didn’t have time to do a full preview this week, got to get going up the M40 pretty soon. To be honest there’s only one thing that matters, win and we are up. I know there’s a possibility we could go up with a draw but I want the win.
So to all that are going wear your colours, bring your scarfs and flags and sing out loud and proud. In fact you can do the same if your watching at home or in the pub, listening to the radio or through the internet. A special shout out to all those Bluenoses around the world who will be getting up at all hours trying to find out what is going on.
It’s the big one, time for everyone to stand up and be counted and us fans can do our bit as well.
Come on you Blue Boys!!!!
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