Farewell to Man Mountain Plus One
You wait for ages for an article from Nat, and two come along together! Here is his take on the two players who left the club today, both of whom have played key roles for the club in the past.
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Anyone who regularly looks at the forum on Joys and Sorrows will know that my favourite Blues player is, or maybe it should now change to was, Martin ‘Tiny’ Taylor. It all stemmed from the fact that in my old Season-Ticket seat in the Railway, he became a bit of a cult figure for his cumbersome stature. Many a game there would be where someone around me would start a ‘Tiny for England’ chant.
But, despite a pretty obvious lack of pace or agility, there was a sharp and, in my opinion, rather unappreciated Footballing brain. He may have had his limitations when chasing after the likes of Drogba, but I don’t think he was ever out-thought by any Striker. His reading of the play and positioning was excellent. You would hardly ever see Tiny make an error in judgement.
But, at the risk of sounding patronising, it wasn’t Tiny’s ability that made him stand out. It was his attitude, on and off the pitch, which was exemplary. Perhaps the most notable example was after his (and I stand by this adjective) innocuous tackle which was desperately unfortunate to break the leg of Eduardo. When people who should’ve known better, such as Arsene Wenger, condemned him for what was an accident, he didn’t bite the bait and rant, he (after apologising to Eduardo) picked himself up, dusted himself down, and just got on with it, such was the placid nature of the man.
But it wasn’t the only example of having a mindset which unfortunately belies many players today. It’s fair to say that in all his time at Blues, under Bruce and Big ’Eck, he was never a concrete regular starter in the team. But you’d never have known it. Despite the haphazard nature of his selections, he never once spouted his mouth off. He just bode his time, kept himself sharp and was always ready if needed. That is the hallmark of being a proper Professional. The most prominent example probably being at the end of last season. Left out of the Preston debacle at home, he came in for THAT game at Reading, marked Kevin Doyle out that match and we won Promotion.
I wish him the best of luck now that he’s moved to Watford. But I doubt he’ll need it. For a free transfer, Malky Mackay has made a very shrewd signing for that level of football, and Watford have a great defender for the next few years.
Today also saw the news which, to be honest, I greeted a lot more enthusiastically. Gary McSheffrey has been offloaded to Leeds in League One until the end of the season, when after his contract expires here he’ll presumably move on for good.
For too long now we have been hoping against hope that he would turn into the McSheffrey he was for a few months until the start of 2007. When I write that down now it looks incredibly daft. At most clubs, someone who hadn’t performed well on any consistent basis would’ve been bombed out long ago. But Bluenoses were, inexplicably in my opinion, determined that, sometime soon, Gary Mac would be back.
For a while I have been saying it was time to cut our losses with him. He hasn’t scored from open play in the League since we beat Stoke 1-0…in February 2007. In our last Premier League season, he was picked on a regular basis (thirty-two appearances altogether) yet, in my eyes, never came close to coming up to scratch. He looked lacklustre, lazy, generally lethargic. And yes injury hampered him last year, but even before his spell out he didn’t look great, and his subsequent loan spell at Forest wasn’t brilliant. I think it’s fair to say Billy Davies wasn’t falling over himself to clinch his signature permanently.
For me, when I’ve watched him in the past few years, his performances and body language on the pitch are of a player who looked like he didn’t really want to be at Birmingham City. Hopefully a new club and a significant drop in the standard of football my re-invigorate his career. Leeds is a big club, who should go up to the Championship and will be one of the biggest clubs in that division if they get there. Maybe he can be a part of that and rediscover the magical form of when he first joined Blues.
Nat
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.
The goal that wasn’t
Here’s an article from Nat, one of our posters on the forum, about the weekend’s goings on at Ashton Gate.
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Saturday. Ashton Gate, Bristol. 3.30pm approx.
Bristol City vs. Crystal Palace
On-loan Palace striker Freddie Sears closes in on goal. He shoots from just inside the area, and the ball flies past the Bristol Goalkeeper and into the base of the inside side-netting before bouncing out. The Palace players celebrate Sears’ first goal for the club whilst the City players dejectedly prepare themselves for the match’s re-start.
Except the Referee doesn’t give the goal. Despite being in a good position to view the incident, he has presumably decided it has hit the inside of the post and bounced away from goal. The Palace players and officials understandably go ballistic. The Bristol City players don’t spurn this unexpected opportunity of clemency and go on to win ‘1-0′ in the last minute through Nicky Maynard.
The incident re-opens up a huge can of worms; the issue of technology in football, in this case the more prevalent issue of goal line technology. Now I’m not one who is in favour of overindulging every aspect of our game to be deciphered by technology. I am of the opinion that in football you should be generally willing to accept bad decisions and move on from there.
However, for me this is the exception to that train of thought. A goal being mistakenly given or not given has a direct implication on a team’s general performance in a season. As has been said by man a pundit already, it obviously could ultimately lead to a team being relegated or promoted. These decisions could give or lose a club a lot of money. In an era of such technological advancement, to not use such a simple method to ultimately settle what is becoming a regular and potentially important dispute is farcical.
There are two more side issues to this incident as well. The first one centering around the Referee, a Mr Shoebridge. From what I can see, he was in a good position to have a clear view of this incident, so full marks to him in that regard. For me there is nothing more infuriating than a Referee hindered by the fact he is out of position.
However, the upshot of my first comment is that, if the Referee is in such a good position to see the ‘goal’ then why couldn’t he give it. The basic replays I have seen suggest that it was a good foot over the line at least. Why could he not see this? Even if he wasn’t sure about the legitimacy of the goal, then surely the reactions of both set of players told him everything. The fact that he was so sure it wasn’t a goal surely calls his decision making and maybe even his eyesight into question.
I’m not one for haranguing Referees at every opportunity. I believe that it is easy for us to criticize them when we usually have many different views repeatedly available for any incident in a game, whereas they have to make a snap decision from one angle. However, the fact that this Referee clear botched an easy decision when he was in such a decent position surely undermines his future performances; if he cannot get that one right, what correct calls does he make?
The other issue raised by this is the issue of sportsmanship, or lack of perhaps on Saturday. Bristol City’s players evidently knew it was a goal if their reaction in the immediate aftermath was anything to go by. The officials affiliated with the club probably knew it was a goal because it was such an easy incident to see. Surely they could’ve let Palace score; it would’ve quelled a lot of understandable bitterness in the Palace camp and perhaps would diffused the situation totally. The fact that they didn’t looks very badly on them; they have for want of a better term, legitimately cheated their way to victory.
Where Promotion Was Won
Nat who has written a few match previews for the season just passed, has come up with his take on the key matches which swung promotion for us.
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I have outlined the eleven key games this season where, in my opinion, we really set ourselves up for an ultimately successful promotion push:
Sheffield United (H) 09/08/2008
A 1-0 win thanks to a last gasp Kevin Phillips goal on a dreary opening day of the season live on Sky. It was tedious, it was gritty, but it was three points, and was to prove to be a prototype for future games.
Bristol City (A) 16/09/2008
A 2-1 win away from home against last season’s Championship play-offs runners-up was a signal of strength and intent from a determined Blues team.
Cardiff City (A) 27/09/2008
To go to an intimidating place like Cardiff and control the game to snatch a 2-1 victory showed that there was a tough belly to Blues thus far unconvincing exterior.
Charlton Athletic (H) 15/11/2008
After a run of picking up one point from a possible nine in their previous three games, Blues started shakily, trailing 2-1 at half-time at a point where Big Eck’s strategy was being called into question. Luckily, fighting spirit prevailed in the form of talismen Franck Queudrue and Kevin Phillips to win 3-2 and stop the rot.
Swansea City (A) 21/11/2008
A very tough Friday night game, Blues were run ragged for 70 minutes by a fitter, faster Swansea. Enter Kevin Phillips, who within two touches of the ball had turned a disappointing defeat into a wonderful win, to give us some real momentum following on from the win six days earlier vs. Charlton.
Derby County (H) 27/01/2009
One League win in our last six had suggested that Blues’ season was going off the rails, and our first-half performance vs. a mediocre Derby was nothing short of dreadful. A Lee Carsley winner to algamate with a better second-half performance lifted the gloom somewhat.
Nottingham Forest (H) 14/02/2009
A 2-0 win and a decent performance to boot, something not readily said when describing displays in recent months. A superb maiden goal from an emerging Irishman also got everyone talking. The name? Keith Fahey, not that we’ve seen much of him since…
Doncaster Rovers (A) 14/03/2009
Another 2-0 win, and this being extra special being our first away win for nearly three months, and our first convincing away win since Winston Churchill was in nappies!
Wolves (H) 05/04/2009
Humiliating any team is special. Humiliating any team with one less man for more than half a match is even more special. Humiliating the Dingles with one less man for more than half a match is too special to be put into words…
Watford (A) 18/04/2009
For all our pressure at Vicarage Road, it seemed as if it would be another ’so near yet so far’ story for Blues. Enter a heavily deflected Cameron Jerome shot sending an army of Blues fans home delirious knowing the promotion ball was firmly in our court.
Reading (A) 03/05/2009
Do I need to explain?
Franck Queudrue: Is He Really That Good?
Here is an article by Nat, who does the odd preview for us.
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In recent times, there have been certain constants at Blues; the constant feeling of malaise around the club, borne out in the disappointing attendances we have had at St.Andrews this season. The constant lack of quality in the team’s performances in games generally. The constant frustration at the fact that we have been unable to overhaul a distinctly mediocre Wolves at the top of this Division. They all strike debates within themselves.
Another increasingly apparent constant is the growth of adulation towards our flamboyant Frenchman, Franck Queudrue. This season, the one time Free Transfer-listee has established himself, at differing levels for debatably different reasons, as a fans favourite at Blues. In fact, he is now such a favourite, the indication is that he will win the Player of the Season vote amongst the club’s supporters, and he may well win at a canter. My question is, does he deserve it, alongside the reverent adulation he is seemingly receiving at the moment?
Now before I go on I feel I must make my own Queudrue position clear. I am most definitely not in any way anti-Queudrue so to speak. I have been impressed with his performances generally when he has played this term. My opinion is that he gives us an essence of composure in defence which no-one else can offer which we desperately require at times. I thought he was finished in terms of playing for a club of repute in English football when he reportedly went AWOL at the start of Pre-Season, so he has proved me wrong in that respect (though I still have my doubts as to whether he is a Premiership defender should we gain promotion).
However, the apparent sentiment that he is almost on an untouchable plateau seems to override me. The bare stats of this season don’t seem to support it either. According to Soccerbase, he has made twenty-two appearances, and this makes me beg the question; can a man who plays at left-back for just over half of his team’s league games in a season really effectively earn the accolade of top Dog in the Blues squad?
Being honest with myself, I can’t make Queudrue my number one player this season. In fact, in comparison with our other players, I wouldn’t put him in my top three. Does Franck rank higher than Kevin Phillips, whose thirteen league goals have won sixteen points this season? No. Does Franck rank higher than the man who effectively become club captain, Lee Carsley? No. Does Franck rank higher than my Player of the Season Maik Taylor, a man who’s saves have kept us in countless games this season, especially away from home? No. Then there are the newcomers-the dynamic Bowyer, the Comeback King Stephen Carr and the Irish Lionel Messi Keith Fahey. Has Franck completely outshone them?
Yet the praise of Queudrue has no bounds. I know of fans who positively adore him. I know that there is a chance that there may be a chance of a song making its debut during our crunch game with Wolves, a song which implies that Franck Queudrue is the Blues team. I point to the J&S forum for my next example of Franckmania. This article was upheld recently as an example of what a shining beacon of wonder Queudrue is, yet from what I can tell, this article has nothing more within it than standard answers to standard journalistic questions, yet, and I say this with tongue firmly in cheek, this article was actually being treated as if it were something akin to the Bible. This for me sums up the increasing hysteria surrounding him.
The cynic in me is subscribed to the thought that people are siding for Queudrue to increase the mirth at David Sullivan. As we all know, Sully made a right cock-up when he called Franck Queudrue a ‘Pile of Rubbish’ and hung him out to dry, and quite rightly was reprimanded by fans, players and media outlets alike. Yet even though he has since apologised for what he said, my gut feeling is that for every good performance the Frenchman puts in, the howling sound at laughter is launched at Sullivan, and knocks his credibility and him generally, which must be a priority for a fair chunk of Bluenoses at the moment.
But then I think, well maybe Franck has given exactly what this club has needed; some colour. His forays up the pitch does take the often grounded level of excitement around the ground up a notch. Never have I seen a left-back play for Blues who’s skill and final delivery of the ball is often better than that of the winger who is playing in front of him. And there is a point that in scoring winning goals against Charlton and Bristol city, he has made himself into a talisman of sorts, and this would make applause of Queudrue (to a realistic level) not just understandable, but downright deserved!
Conclusively, my belief is that we as fans are devaluing ebullient praise towards players. The hyperbole that surround Franck are disconcerting in a slight sense for me, because it may degrade what a Blues player in my opinion needs to achieve before having bounteous acclaim dish upon them. My opinion is that Queudrue hasn’t done enough in his time at Blues to really deserve the mythological sentiments that are saddled to him. Last season, he was rubbish, so that has to be written off as a guideline of how to judge his positive contribution to us. So, as I was mentioning previously, we are judging him on the twenty-two league appearances he has made this season. Has he done enough in those twenty-two games to have earned the cult hero status he is on the verge of gaining? In my opinion, the answer is undoubtedly no. Good player at Championship level for us, of that there is no doubt, but to pretend he is something much more strikes me as increasingly farcical.
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