The New Blues, How Has that Happened?
Jan 24th, 2010 | By KevB8ll | Category: Blues News, Kev's RamblingsI was chatting with a friend on Facebook chat yesterday, both of us are still amazed at what has happened this season. The Blues I am used to, is supposed to lose a game like yesterday, just fail on getting record runs, get rolled over after scoring first. It is all very strange, enjoyable – but still strange!
Take yesterday, I was convinced we were going to lose. The last time we played Everton, we WERE fortunate to get a point. They had a good goal disallowed that would have put them 2-0 up. Since then they have improved and our run will end at some point – this game seemed the likely one. However, the team stuck to their task and got the result, and despite what some Everton forums have said – we deserved to win. Now it is 15 without defeat.
We have people all over the press giving us credit for our run, including the London press. MOTD have praised us and I have seen plenty of positive comments by fans on other sites.
So what is it, that has made this happen?
Well, without doubt, the takeover gave the club a bounce. From Sammy Yu’s appearance on the Tom Ross radio show where he answered fans questions – the club seem in touch with the fans. We have talked about the fans forum, there is a good feel. Surely that can’t be it can it? Yes, definitely.
We have a team who have taken the step up from last season, where to be honest we weren’t that good although better than most of the rest. Everyone fights for each other. We have a number of players that could be captain, but are willing to follow a captain. Yes we are lacking a bit up front, but the fact we are conceding a few, it gives us the chance of getting something out of the game even if we only have 1 or 2 chances. But surely that can’t be it can it? Yes, definitely.
What about the manager? When the previous board went after him, there was some concern. Rangers fans talked about McLeish as someone who bottles it in a difficult situation, not willing to change things. Well we got relegated, and if I’m honest I could see their point. Even last season where we finished 2nd, I genuinely thought that we played poorly beside a handful of games.
At the start of this season, we had the 451 formation and we struggled with it. Bolton was a turning point. The crowd called for 442, and to be fair to the manager he did change it. We did end up losing, but we did look better after the formation changed.
Since then, we have gone on from strength to strength. We have played all the top 8 and the only 2 to beat us is Arsenal and Villa, (which was early in the season).
So what is it of McLeish? Well he has definitely NOT bottled it as far as I’m concerned. He has kept faith in a side that is getting results, but he has made good decisions as far as substitutes are concerned. He has clearly got a match plan, that is different depending on the side we are playing. Whatever he is saying, the team are clearly following those plans.
The other thing about Eck, is his manner in interviews after the game. No moaning, you believe he just thinks this has gone – no to the next game.
I post on Small Heath Alliance from time to time, and one of the users on there, (tarantini), posted something which sums my comments up well, this was in the light of the Everton game – but rings true IMO:
We have a manager who:
1. Backs an Academy player in a high-tempo game
2. Could buy Billy Bigboots but gets players off the scrapheap instead
3. Acknowledges a clubs history but challenges the team to beat it
4. Goes back for the player he wants
5. Respects his opponent but is not cowed by him
So is it down to the manager? Yes, definitely.
Actually it is all 3 of these things, a bit like the fire triangle. If you lose fuel, heat or oxygen – the other 2 aren’t sufficient to produce fire. Obviously we will lose at some point, quite possibly on Wednesday – however I believe we can get back up and win the following game because of these 3 things.
It’s fun being a Blues fan at the moment! 
Kev
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Well said. I think the fans were disenchanted with Sullivan/Brady/Gold because of the insulting bull they peddled, despite the fact they did save the club for whatever reasons. I refuse to believe they were a group of well meaning philanthropists as they would have us think.
the arrival of Yeung and co was a breath of fresh air and, despite a reall dodgy first 18 months, McLeish has shown himself to be an honest and no-nonsense fellow. Those character traits are ones that all true Bluenoses will warm to.
By accident or design, and I suspect a bit of both, McLeish now has a group and a system that a) is effective and b) the fans love.
We have always respected players who put it in for 90 minutes, win or lose, and this group has it in spades.
The cleverest thing McLeish has done is look at players with some degree of hunger. Whether they are at the end of their career and want to prove they’re not finished; talented but lost their way; or young and eager to prove themselves capable, McLeish can spot them.
We will lose but we’ll go down fighting. So, when that happens, we will clap them off the pitch and look forward to the next match.
KRO
Excellent article .It’s about time we did something. Every dog has his day and hopefully ours is here at last. The law of averages which my grandfather coined is surely upon us. keep right on.
I like many more have been a supporter for over 40 years,lived through the great times of Sir Francis of Trevordom.I can confidently say that eversince those heady days,despite some occasional highlights LDV !,Dugarry our hearts have not beated so fast has they do now,wondering when the Chinese bubble will burst.
But maybe this is our time,we all know we are not acknowledged by the likes of Mr Linneker et al.
Hail,Hail,lets give big heck the praise he deserves,how much would his signings go for know ?
Strange,Confusing, Its seems to be a number of emotions rolled into one.
Yes, The takeover, Yes the manager, Yes the team “WOW” Goo On the lads, But i also think the “ROAR” of a full St Andrews must be a big factor.
And what a change, No back biting, No Bull****.
And the togertherness of the, Fans, Players, Manager and board, All I can say is it “FEELS GOOD”.to be a Blunose.
KEEP RIGHT ON!!!!
Great article. I relate to the sense of wonder at result results. As you say I am used to conceding last minute goals like our first prem game at Everton), losing 1-0 awa y and being a plucky loser. Well like AM said early this season its time to stop being unlucky losers and we are now deserved and occasionally lucky winners Its great to be a Blue nose again. Mr Pannu and your team dont let ius down this week in the transfer window—or better said dont let AM down either by buying no-one or buy buying someone he doesnt want like the last lot.
Happy days for the Blues.
Well done I say, how could anyone begrudge a team with the work ethic Birmingham have?
How long before McLeish is being put forward as a possible manager of the year.
I wouldn’t say the fans calling for 442 had any impact on Eck but more the availability of players for the system. Even when we were relegated he showed signs of the football he wanted to play but found himself in a league which required him to change that plan but now in the Prem he has been able to start again. The change of ownership is without doubt a major factor as it has opened everyone up to the possibility we can move forward and wont suffer from the usual penny pinching of DS at a crucial point. Win or lose since the takeover its been fun to be a bluenose again and that was something that was disappearing under the old regime in which the fans were cconstantly berated by Sullivan and no ambitiion existed.
The 442 thing is worthy of a mention though Rich, it was definitely a turning point. We have looked a different side with the same players since changing to 442.
Always knew Eck was a class act and hes proving it week in week out.
the only thing holding them back before was the uninterest in the club shown by the old board it was so apparent at the end that it was good to see them go which was an unfortunate end.
Eck has shown that he wont have his arm twisted by other clubs over transfers but he seems a shrewd mover in the market. be nice to keep hold of Hart but another loan will be ok for a start.
Times are looking exciting lets enjoy it cos we deserve it.
KRO
Alex’s shrewd signings are THE reason for the success,and his ability to motivate the players.
[...] The New Blues, How Has that Happened? : Joys & Sorrows [...]
Good article. Probably like most fans I am finding it very difficult to get used to this new Blues. No question in my mind that it is the Alex factor which is the difference. The introduction of Hart, Ferguson, Johnson, Dann and Benitez has made a massive difference and getting all the players to play at the top of their game has brought us to where we are now.
Yes we will lose eventually, possibly the Chelsea game will be it, but unlike previous years you would just expect the team to get back up and start all over again.
The fans have started coming back and I would just love to see a full house at every home match for the rest of the season. Surely the team dserve nothing less.
yes were going to get beat sometime dont when (i fancy a point weds and maybe three on sat !!) but lets enjoy it while it lasts ……… i for one have got a nose bleed being so high up in the league !!
The 442 thing is really a strange vaguary guys.. The whole time he played 451 was whilst Jerome was injured… I don’t think he trusted Chucho (new to O
Prem) Phillips (old legs) or any other back up strikers to do the work that jerome and chucho now put in.. I too would like to think that managers would listen to what us fans say … But in truth I believe it was more down to availability of players.. And also possibly.. Getting them to play how he wanted them to play.. However … The futures bright… THE FUTURES BLUE!!! KRO!!