Dagenham & Redbridge Player Ratings
Filed under: Blues News, By Other Supporters, Match reports
The following comments are from “The Hawk” who is one of our forum members who went to the game last night. If you were there, do you agree with him?
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Dagenham 0 Birmingham 1
Somewhat apprehensively, I went to watch Birmingham at Dagenham. Apprehensive because we hadn’t scored in any of our pre-season friendlies, and the fact that £14 for a pre-season friendly seemed excessive!
But we won, and therefore obviously scored, as you have to to win a game.
Here are the player ratings:
Maik Taylor: – 7 – Did nothing wrong, despite the crowd barracking the “old man”. Funny, as their keeper, Tony Roberts, is even older.
Stephen Carr – 6 - A solid performance
Stuart Parnaby – 6 - Clearly on his wrong foot, but coped adequately.
Roger Johnson – 8 - Commanded the box well and was very strong on the air, quick on the ground, and passed the ball forward positively and accurately.
Scott Dann – 6 – Was reasonable and had good positioning, but looked a little nervous
Seb Larsson – 4 – Tried lots of fancy stuff liek Ronaldo, but it didn’t work, or his team-mates didn’t expect it and so didn’t make the necessary runs. Not sure he executed a proper passs all night.
Ferguson – 8 - Did what central midfielders in Blues shirts haven’t done for years – passed the ball accurately. Rarely did a pass go astray. Could have done more in the final third though.
Fahey – 7 - Looked forward to seeing him in the middle, but in the second half played on the left where he was better “freed” from responsibility.
McSheffery – 6 - Was game, and seemed quicker than I remember. A couple of good crosses, but no one in the box to get on the end of them.
Jerome – 7 - Ran and ran and ran. Took some good positions. Final product the usual erratic fare.
McFadden – 7 – Some silky runs and touches, but must acknowledge he has team-mates.
Martin Taylor – 6 – Not tested much.
Jared Wilson – 4 – Looked out of his depth.
Lee Bowyer – 5 - Didn’t really get involved.
Marcus Bent – 8 - Scored a well taken goal and after a couple of wobbly first touches actually played well, looking hungry and urgent. Could have scored an excellent second.
Blues Win at Last
Blues won their first friendly last night with a 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.
Marcus Bent scored the only goal in a game which sounded like it was one to miss. I listened to the radio commentary, and for long periods the commentators were discussing anything but the game. This included a bit about pies!
The key worry is that, as last season, although we seemed secure at the back, we don’t appear to be creating anything out of the middle of the park. It is ESSENTIAL we get at least one – probably two – attacking midfielders with some pace, to add some creativity to a midfield that without doubt will be hardworking.
If you went to the game, perhaps you could add your comments relating to our performance.
Kev
Best Blues Players Part 3
Well so far our team has Gill Merrick in goal, Jeff Hall at right back and Martin Grainger at left back. Now we need some central defenders. You can select two from the list below.
Steve Bruce
1996-98, 84 appearances, 3 goals
A legend with Manchester United he finished his playing days at St Andrew’s as one of Trevor Francis’s best signings. A commanding presence at the back he also went on to be the manager who finally took us to the Premier League.
Kenny Cunningham
2002-06, 144 total appearances, 0 goals
An assured defender who read the game extremely well, the Ireland international was among a clutch of inspired signings by Steve Bruce who helped keep Birmingham stay in the Premier League for four years after promotion in 2002. He formed a great partnership with Matthew Upson which led to Blues having one of the stingiest defences in our early years of the Premiership. He left under a cloud but was still “King Kenny” to me.
Matthew Upson
2003-07, 128 total appearances, 5 goals
Signed in the January transfer window he proved a tower of strength in the centre of defence, with his impeccable positioning and ability in the air. Played a number of games for England while in a Blues shirt.
Joe Gallager
1972-81, 335 total appearances, 23 goals
Good old-fashioned centre half, strong in the air and brave in the tackle. He was made the team’s captain at the age of 19. Went on to make over 300 appearances for the club and, after leading Birmingham back into the top flight in 1981, was awarded a testimonial for a decade of service.
Trevor Smith
1953-64, 430 total appearances, 3 goals
A tall and powerful locally born central defender who emerged during their greatest era, reaching the first division in 1955 and the FA Cup Final 12 months later. When Billy Wright retired from international football, Smith, at just 23, was selected in his place, though two England caps barely reflected his ability.
Colin Todd
1979-82, 93 total appearances, 0 goals
A classy defender who joined Blues from Everton for £275,000. While he was towards the end of his career with us his experience really helped in Jim Smith’s
Swine Flu Advice
Now I have your attention… 
not long to go to the start of the season.
How do you think we’ll fair? Do you think we’ll stay up? Will McLeish be the 2nd manager in the club’s history to keep us in the Premier Legue?
Come on – let us know!
Best Blues Players Part 2
A few weeks back you voted Gill Merrick as the goalkeeper for our best ever Blues line up. Now it’s time to choose a couple of full backs. You can vote for any two of the following.
Mark Dennis
1978-83, 146 total appearances, 1 goal
Had a reputation about as a tough tackler who was given the nickname “Psycho” long before Stuart Pearce’s emergence. Had the skill to have been an England regular but discipline was a problem, he was sent off 12 times in his career.
Martin Grainger
1996-2005, 266 total appearances, 28 goals
Sadly forced to retire, due to a knee injury, aged 32 he was a tough guy in the true Birmingham tradition. He had a magnificent left foot and took excellent free kicks including a beauty against Man Utd. He played his part in our first promotion but injury prevented him gaining to many Premier league appearances.
Garry Pendrey
1966-79, 360 total appearances, 5 goals
Redoubtable club legend, the left back made history in 1969 when he became the club’s youngest captain, aged 20. A vital cog in the 1972 promotion-winning team, he also played in the FA Cup semi-final defeats by Leeds United and Fulham. Managed the club in the late 1980s.
Ken Green
1943-59, 443 total appearances, 2 goals
Known as Slasher, Green was a durable full back known for his tough tackling. Never reckless, he had plenty of pace and showed his versatility by switching to left back to accommodate the emerging Jeff Hall as the club entered arguably their greatest era in the 1950s.
Jeff Hall
1950-59, 265 total appearances, 1 goal
A classy and consistent right back, Hall was a key member of the side that who finished sixth in the top division in 1956. England only lost once during his 17 internationals. He was equally at home at centre back where he made a number of appearances. He tragically died from polio at the age of 29 and now has the stadium clock at St Andrews named after him.
Jeff Kenna
2002-04, 69 total appearances, 3 goals
Jeff was our right back during our first promotion season and the first couple of Premiership years. Known for being dependable he also put in the great cross for Stan Lazaridis’ opener at Villa park in 2003.
John Frain
1986-97, 303 total appearances, 25 goals
Birmingham-born, tenacious left back whose wholehearted attitude made him seem much bigger than he was. A strong penalty-taker, he made over 300 appearances for the club, playing in the two promotions of the early 1990s and the 1991 Leyland-Daf trophy final. He also spent part of his career playing in midfield.
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