VIEW FROM THE SOUTH – BIRMINGHAM CITY vs STOKE
Filed under: Blues News, Match reports, Matches, Reports By Bazza
Here’s Bazza’s take on yesterdays game.
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I had one of those days yesterday when having been dealt a bad hand struck but fate actually turned out providing winning cards at the flop. Mrs Bazza, whom regular readers will know by now does not possess the football gene and cannot understand why I drive miles round the country supporting our beloved club, had accepted an invite to a ruby wedding anniversary bash of friends of hers and acquaintances of mine. Whilst she had mentioned something about this upcoming event months ago it had long since faded into the ethereal mist that is my memory and besides I had no idea of the date, time, venue, dress rig or anything else. Well intrepid readers, Mrs Bazza informed me just as I got back on Wednesday from the Portsmouth game that this do started promptly at 7 pm on Saturday and there was no way we could be late! Light the blue touch paper! I was not a happy man and before those of you of the more belligerent slant suggest that I should have said “well sod that! I’m going to the match,” I did. However, the couple who had invited us are elderly, not particularly well off and they had scrimped and saved for years for their event and my conscience eventually got the better of me. So I had to be content with watching Gillette Soccer Special on SKY with the ever animated Paul Merson covering our match.
The match obviously started quite brightly with end to end stuff as Merson began by saying “good match this!” However, it was not to last and the match settled down into the attritional encounter it was to become. From what I could make out Bowyer had come in for Larsson and Kevin Phillips for the injured Jerome after all what Alex McLeish had said about the letter being a super sub and impact player. Parnaby continued at left back in place of the crocked Gregory Vignal. It sounds as if Stoke had the better of the exchanges in the first half without really threatening apart from Rory Delap’s long throws. Beattie got injured and had to go off. Whilst I wish the man no ill, I was relieved only then to hear that he had been replaced by Kitson! The second half appeared to be all Stoke which is at variance with the newspaper coverage this morning. There again, Paul Merson never was our greatest fan was he?
Gradually, goals in the other games started to appear and even Hull managed to snatch a much needed win for them against Bolton. Sunderland were clinging on to a 2 – 1 score line against their bogey side Blackburn. Arsenal were doing a demolition job on Portsmouth, Manchester City were slaughtering Wolves 1 – 0 and allowing the Old Gold and Black a way back and Manchester United finally decided to stop messing about and obtained their habitual win at Wigan 5 – 0 all scored in the second half. Paul Merson was hardly asked for an update which perhaps epitomised what a cracker the game obviously wasn’t and when he was asked, his mood became increasingly morose as the second half wore on. Apparently, the best chance of the game, a header from O’Connor was brilliantly saved by Sorensen. For Stoke, Fuller’s effort from a Delap throw was disallowed for hand ball and all he received was a yellow card. The final score was of course 0 – 0 and before everyone gets too downhearted, this represents a pretty decent result at this stage. We were losing games like these two years ago when we only managed to keep three clean sheets in 38 league games. We have already kept two in three. It is for this reason that I believe we are better equipped this time around. True it sounds as if goals are going to be hard to come by but that is a fact of life in the Premier League. Four points from the first three games is not a bad return. An average of four points from two home games will yield 36 points plus the odd bits and pieces away from home, we should be alright.
Once again this year as last 36 may be enough although I wouldn’t want to risk it. As for the imaginary cards on the flop? It sounds as if I had a lucky escape; another 250 miles round trip to see this game was avoided and although I hate missing games, if Paul Merson’s commentary is anything to go by, I should be thankful. As for the anniversary party; it was on a par with a 0 – 0 draw!
The Takeover
Looks like it’s really going to happen this time. The statement from Grandtop suggests that they have the club’s best interests at heart and I think it’s a good sign that they want to keep Karren Brady involved.
What are your initial thoughts? Is this a good thing or are you nervous about this? Will you miss David Sullivan?
Best Blues Players Part 5
This selection has been provided by Tarantini Dust one of our forum members. In our last poll Stan Lazaridis was a clear winner with Gordon Taylor narrowly taking the other spot ahead of Alex Govan.
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So here we are at the start of a new season and our problem position is…..? Central midfield. Plus Ca Change. Of all the positions we are choosing for our all time Blues team in my opinion central midfield offers the least to grace any Hall of Fame. Players we have had there have either not fulfilled their promise (Ian Handysides, the new Trevor Francis springs to mind as well as Darren Carter and Bryan Hughes).
However here is my list for voting. Please pick 2 from the list below.
Howard Kendall 1974-77
134 appearances, 18 goals.
At one time the youngest player to appear in a FA cup final in the 20th century Kendall was transferred from Everton as part of the deal that took Bob Latchford to Everton. Although slightly past his best when he came to Blues he was a steady influence in the centre and rarely misplaced a pass. Went on to have a very successful managerial career.
Kevin Dillon 1977-83
212 appearances, 19 goals.
A cultured and skillful player who could make the game look easy when at the top of his game. A great striker of the ball he had a Hoddle like ability to hit an accurate long pass. Never properly realised his potential and a solitary U21 England appearance was a poor reward for his talent. Recently left his post as coach to Reading.
Trevor Hockey 1965-71
232 appearances, 13 goals.
A hugely popular player with the fans he always gave his all and his attitude and style of play was typified by his instructions on joining Sheff Utd where he was exhorted to “battle, to win the ball and to give it to Currie” His 9 Welsh caps showed he had ability too. Was frequently invited back to St Andrews for testimonials where the cry “Hockey, Hockey, Hockey. Oy, Oy, Oy” was always rolled out in welcome. Tragically died in 1987 aged 43.
Archie Gemmill 1979-82
115 appearances, 14 goals
Another player arguably past his best when he joined us however he still managed to win 10 caps whilst with the Blues and this was at a time when Scotland had untold riches in that position. Brian Clough was also heard to announce that the biggest mistake he ever made was letting Gemmill leave Forest too soon. A combative and attacking midfielder, who will always be remembered for “that” goal against Holland) Gemmill was a consummate professional who had some scathing words to say about the drinking culture at Blues in his autobiography
Alan Campbell 1970-76
211 appearances, 14 goals
Another popular player with the fans who mixed work rate with skill. Played in some of the most exciting teams of the 1970’s and didn’t look out of place in any of them. Made one appearance for Scotland U23 but was unlucky to be playing at a time when Scotland had several good players available. Would certainly be in the Scotland team of today.
Llewellyn Charles “Alan”Curbishley 1979-83
155 appearances, 15 goals.
Signed from West Ham for £225,000 Curbs was a typical product of the West Ham academy. Fast and skillful he was nicknamed “whizz” by his team mates. Very difficult to shake off the ball, he joined Birmingham in his prime but never quite managed to break into the England set up. Went on to be a successful Manager and often gets mentioned in connection with the Blues post.
Johnny Vincent 1964-70
194 appearances, 44 goals
Vincent joined Blues as a schoolboy making his first-team debut in March 1964, shortly after his 17th birthday. His style of play was elegant and he was consistent in his ability to launch an attack, whether by good passing of the ball or by purposeful running. He became a first team regular creating chances for Barry Bridge, Geoff Vowden and Fred Pickering, later he supplied Jimmy Greenhoff, Bob Latchford and Bob Hatton. He had a powerful shot himself as proven by an impressive 44 goals.
Robbie Savage 2002-25
88 appearances, 12 goals.
Last but not least, at least in his own mind, is the incomparable Mr. Savage. A energetic and combative athlete, his work rate was second to none however he was talented enough to earn 39 Welsh caps. Always a target for opposition fans Savage seemed to revel in his role as pantomime villain and was not shy in asserting his own ability as evidenced by his claim to be the best Blues player since Trevor Francis. Whilst his departure was marred by bitterness it is difficult to argue that his absence went some way to Blues being relegated that season.
VIEW FROM THE SOUTH – BIRMINGHAM CITY VS PORTSMOUTH
Filed under: Blues News, Match reports, Matches, Reports By Bazza
Here is Bazza’s take on the day
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Our first home game of the new Premiership season had arrived and my arrangements had been planned with meticulous detail. I had made sure that I was able to finish early from work and had loaded some of the work from the afternoon onto the following day. Originally, this fixture was due to be played on Tuesday not Wednesday evening but because the powers that be had shifted our opening match against Manchester United until the Sunday to suit television this game had also been moved twenty-four hours. So, in accordance with the best laid plans of mice and men, I had a shed load of work to get finished before I could set off from my workplace in Guildford having had a virtually free afternoon on Tuesday! I got in the car at 4.30 pm and hit all the local traffic that I have come to know and hate. For those of you that don’t know, the Hog’s back in Surrey, the M3 and the M25 past Heathrow are the longest car parks on the planet. Fortunately, although congested it at least moved albeit slowly and I managed to make up time on the M40 towards Birmingham.. I am convinced that had the kids been back at school I wouldn’t have had a prayer of making it in time. I have failed to make midweek matches before because of too many other people not in the least interested in football on the roads at the same time as me. When I was going particularly slowly on the M25 at one stage, it was all Gordon Brown’s fault of course. Lack of investment in infrastructure, crap transport policy, bankrupting the country so we can’t afford to fix the potholes or get road works off the highways in a reasonable time because of lack of funds yadda yadda yadda! Dear Gordon is of course also to blame for the fact that our beloved club cannot afford to buy a Premiership winning team because Messrs Sullivan’s and Gold’s business empires are hampered by the credit crunch, over taxation and bloody minded red tape and regulation meaning that the said gentlemen haven’t got the necessary disposable business income to lavish in Birmingham City PLC.
I wanted to get parked, pick up my season ticket and buy my tickets for the Southampton and Spurs games, visit the shop and buy the latest shirt of the faithful. No chance! I barely made it into the ground for the kick off. It was nice to see the usual crowd that sit near me after so long. Greetings were exchanged and I sat down and took a large chunk out of my steak and kidney pie which with the bottle of Fanta had come to the princely sum of £4.50. No change there then; catering still expensive. The new playing surface looked pristine and the ball ran true across it. The new screen as promised was prominent in the corner between the newly named Gil Merrick stand and the family enclosure. It played the odd replay from time to time although there weren’t many of those as not much was happening on the pitch of note. Pompey had come to spoil and keep things tight as a jail. They were tough, uncompromising and well organised at the back. It is clear that they have been weakened over the last few months with the loss of Defoe, Crouch etc and lack much of their potency but they still have experienced players of decent pedigree and it is unfair to write them off as poor as some pundits have done. Whilst it is difficult to see where their goals are going to come from as they offered little threat last night, they remain a resolute and difficult side to break down and I cannot see them conceding many over the piece.
Blues played two up front in a change from Old Trafford with O’Connor coming in for Carsley. The line up was more forward thinking with deployment of Keith Fahey in central midfield with Ferguson next to him. McFadden and Larsson made up the quartet on the flanks. Franck Queudrue played alongside Roger Johnson in central defence with Gregory Vignal and Carr in the full back berths. The problem with this line up is the front two. Neither of these players is a natural when it comes to holding the ball up and the first touch of both especially Jerome is simply not good enough at this level. His strength is his pace which can be devastating if he can be played in. He has improved in running at defenders but with his back to goal he is ineffective and so is O’Connor. These two should not in my view play together. They are far better with Phillips or Benitez alongside them. This proved to be the case later in the game when early in the second half Jerome limped off injured and was replaced by Kevin Phillips. The little maestro nearly scored 15 minutes from time with a lovely first time volley from O’Connor’s cushioned header on the edge of the area. David James demonstrated just why he has been England’s number one keeper for so long with a smart save to his right at the foot of the post. James had also saved a pacy free kick from Larsson earlier and Blues cranked up the pressure towards the end of the game. The best move of the match resulted in a first time cross from Carr whizzing across the box but eluding the outstretched foot of O’Connor to fall a foot behind Kevin Phillips at the far post.
Not much happened in the first half to be honest although Blues did pass the ball the better of the two sides. The best chance fell to Larsson at the far post from Vignal’s excellent cross. The Swede should have done better with the effort than placing the header over the bar. Pompey offered little although Kranjcar and Belhadj did their best to inject life into their midfield. Distin pressed the ball well and made for a solid if uninspiring performance from the visitors. Chances for Portsmouth were few and far between but Kranjcar surprisingly squandered their best chance in the second half from only eight yards out but this would have been harsh on Blues had he converted. The chance seemed to hit him from a misdirected shot from one of his colleagues and the lack of expectancy was probably why Blues got off lightly.
To the biggest cheer of the night Chucho Benitez was finally given a run with ten minutes left; twenty minutes later than ideal in my view. Nevertheless, his introduction seemed to spark the crowd and the team and Blues pressed on to win the game. Despite their efforts the match was drawing to its close in injury time when David James had one of his aberrations and clattered Larsson to the ground as he ran away from goal to collect and over hit cross. The assistant referee waved his flag and placed it across his chest. The referee responded by pointing to the spot. The referee really should not have had to rely on his assistant for help as it was a clear and violent barge into the back of the Blues player. Portsmouth added to their yellow card tally with three more going in the book to make five in all. It beats me as to why professional footballers argue the indefensible but they do don’t they? James McFadden coolly dispatched the penalty into the top right hand corner of the net sending David James dapperly turned out in pink the wrong way. The last two minutes saw the visitors show more urgency and attacking aggression than the whole of the rest of the match. They so nearly scored from the kick off when a neat move found the feet of Kranjcar a few yards out. I was right behind the player and thought he must score but he tamely fired his meek shot into the midriff of Joe Hart who had had precious little to do throughout to be honest. A further chance by Pompey narrowly cleared the bar before the final whistle and three points.
Whilst I’m delighted with the win, there was a bit of a ‘thank God for that’ quality about it. Sure, Portsmouth will struggle this season and some will say we struggled to win against them but Blues deserved the points if only because they were the only side trying to win the game. Pompey had clearly come for the draw which when one considers the circumstances they find themselves in at the moment is fully understandable. I have concerns about our attacking threat but once Chucho is fully fit and with the option of Phillips who still looks a good player at this level there is hope. The most worrying aspect of the night was the enforced substitution of Vignal with a hamstring strain. Once again we will have to rely on right footed full backs like Parnaby to fill in there. Blues look better equipped than two years ago so I’m guardedly optimistic. Let’s hope there are at least three sides in this Premier League that are inferior to Blues; I believe there may be.
KRO SOTV
Birmingham City vs Portsmouth – Preview by Nat
In recent times
It’s fair to say that the past year or so on the South Coast (though relatively calm compared to bitter rivals Southampton it must be said) have been fairly turbulent, and that is putting it mildly. The aura around the club this time last year couldn’t have been in more direct contrast to the present; an FA Cup win, a top-class Manager and the promise of a new stadium seemed to indicate that after a fairly topsy-turvy history generally, this old institution seemed set to establish themselves as a major force in the new age.
How wrong can you be?
Since then that Manager (and his successor) have gone. The stadium plans have been put on hold indefinitely and their defence of the cup ended embarrassingly at home to Swansea City in the fourth round. What has also gone since then are an array of top class players; Johnson, Diarra, Defoe, Muntari and Crouch being the five main examples, though try as they might they are still stuck with David Nugent.
After Harry Redknapp’s departure to Spurs, Portsmouth struggled badly in the league under Tony Adams. He left in late February, with Paul Hart taking over on a supposedly temporary basis being assisted by Brian Kidd. Hart managed to stave off relegation, and has since been rewarded with a ‘permanent’ two-year contract as Manager.
The club’s owner Alexandre Gaydamak declared his intention to sell the club at the end of last season. A takeover deal was agreed in late May with the man who brokered the Sheikover at Manchester City last year, Dr Sulimain Al-Fahim, who by getting involved with two clubs in such a short space of time is doing a more than passable impression of being the Middle-East’s answer to Robert Maxwell.
However this deal has seemingly yet to reach a conclusion four months on, and it has left Portsmouth in a state of limbo. Players are exiting (with more apparently to join them out the door), but there is little scope for bringing in replacements, with two loan deals for foreigners I’ve never heard of and veteran Steve Finnan being the only new boys. You have to fear that if this takeover falls through and more players depart from what is already a threadbare squad amid rumours of huge financial strife, Portsmouth may be living the dream the Peter Ridsdale at Leeds United way. It’s not that a fully-fit Portsmouth XI is that bad, it potentially is perfectly adequate, but the lack of cover is perilous as the season takes its toll on the team.
The Manager
Paul Hart isn’t exactly the most illustrious Manager in the Premiership currently. For a man who started out in Management twenty years ago at Chesterfield, his job opportunities at first team level have been sparse to say the least. After getting the sack at Saltergate, he moved into Youth Team work at Forest, Leeds then Forest again, where he was promoted to the position of first-team manager in 2001.
He enjoyed what was relatively unexpected success at the City Ground. In the face of crippling financial restrictions he took the team to the Division One play-offs in 2003, where they lost out to Sheffield United. From there the turd almost instantly turned, and Hart was replaced late on in the following season by the well spoken Joe Kinnear.
Brief unsuccessful spells at Barnsley and Rushden and Diamonds followed before he returned to Youth Team work at Portsmouth, from which he has been promoted to the first-eam position he currently holds, though a cynical argument is that he is there simply because no-one else wants the job. One thing is for certain though, any Manager, never mind a manager who has managed just over a dozen top-flight matches, would have his work cut out managing Pompey at the moment. If Pompey are still in the Premiership next May, then you can only label him as a minor miracle worker.
Key man
If Paul Hart can rightfully bemoan that his team is weak in all areas outfield, then he should be simultaneously thanking whatever God he believes in for a Goalkeeper with the experience and quality (odd blunder aside) of David James. You get the feeling that a lot of shots will be hit at Pompey’s goal next season, and you get a stronger feeling that James will deal with the vast majority of them.
But it’s not just his shot-stopping that makes him stand out. His gigantic frame and obvious supreme levels of fitness make him excellent at dominating for balls that are launched from deeper positions to in and around his goal. His communication is excellent, and he appears to have significantly improved his mentality in games, as the lapses in concentration that would lead to bloopers have become fewer and further between since he arrived at Fratton Park three years ago.
Blues may not have too much trouble getting through Portsmouth, but they may have significant problems getting past James if he plays well. If he plays well this season, Portsmouth can survive. If his form fluctuates then they surely cannot.
Possible line-up
James
Finnan–Kaboul–Distin–Belhadj
Utaka–Van Den Borre–Mullins–Diop–Krancjar
Nugent
Tactical comments
I predict that Portsmouth will look to keep things tight and remain solid, and to do this will play three defensive minded midfielders in the middle to break up play. Then will then look to use the passing skills of new signing Van Den Borre (providing he has received the thus far elusive international clearance to play) to launch counter attacks with the pace of Utaka and Nugent in particular to be utilized.
Patience will be needed as they try and negate play, but I am convinced that they will tire towards the end if we keep toying with them. If we keep our discipline and shape and keep the ball well they should have no reason to really harm us. However if we become naive and frustrated their experience may come into play more and more and they may use that to sucker punch us.
Last time out
Birmingham City 0-2 Portsmouth-24/11/2007
A dire game in what were positively bewildering times. This is where Eric Black’s spell as caretaker manager in the aftermath of the Steve Bruce era started and finished. David Gold hinted pre-match that Black had a chance of landing the job full-time, but 90 minutes of tripe later he was convinced otherwise.
The teamsheet Black put in perhaps could be best described as a footballing suicide note. With one out-and-out striker selected up front (Mikael Forssell) against what was then a very strong Portsmouth defence we were always likely to struggle going forward, though in fairness Forssell had our one chance early on when he forced James into a smart save. However it was Eric’s selection of Goalkeeper which was to backfire so blatantly. He handed Ghana international Richard Kingson his league debut between the sticks, and was repaid thirty-four minutes later when he somehow let a daisy-tickling shot from Sulley Muntari to squirm under him and into the net.
After that, despite having a fair amount of possession, Blues never looked like getting back into it, as Portsmouth seemed content to soak up pitiful pressure put upon them. They put us out of our misery eight minutes from time with a wonderful goal from a direct free-kick by Nico Krancjar. That, as they say, was that. Unfortunately 22,089 were forced to watch it.
Blues: Kingson, Kelly, Djourou, Ridgewell, Schmitz, de Ridder, Muamba, Nafti, McSheffrey, Kapo, Forssell
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Pamarot, Utaka, Davis, Diop, Muntari, Krancjar, Benjani
Prediction
After being frustrated by first the Pompey style of play, then by David James, Blues will eventually find a way through and grab a tight win.
Blues 1-0 Portsmouth
Referee
Lee Probert-his last game was our appalling 0-0 draw at Charlton in April, though there was nothing appalling to remember about his performance, indicating he had quite a good game. Let’s hope he has a decent performance tomorrow.
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