Birmingham City v Everton Brief Post Match Thoughts
Filed under: Blues News, Kev's Ramblings, Match reports, Matches
2-0 down with Everton destroying us, the sleeves are rolled up and the battle commences. A deft Jerome flick pulls it back to 2-1 and early in the second half during sustained pressure – Gardner scores his first goal for the club and a beauty it was too.
I thought this was a really good game of football. At the end of the day, probably the right result although both sides had chances to win it. Actually to be fair to Everton, they could have been out of site if Hart hadn’t pulled off a number of very good saves.
We seemed to be asleep for the 1st 20 minutes, however made up for it in the 2nd half with some excellent approach play.
Barry Ferguson was superb today and my man of the match by a long way – despite Jerome being awarded it by some people.
This result should be seen as a positive, we came back from 2-0 down against a VERY good Everton side, and the fact we COULD have pinched it, shows the character we have in the side.
Well played Blues, actually well played both Blues. An entertaining game of football.
Beau Brummie’s Relegation Dog Fight Stops Here!
Here is Dale’s latest article, this week about us achieving the magical 40 point mark!
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Birmingham City have secured another season in the premier league! All seems a bit of an anti-climax though doesn’t it? No last day heroics, no depending on other clubs results and no pitch invasion to get at the owners of the club! Nevertheless, to have reached this points tally quickly and quietly, almost assassin like will be the much preferred method for most fans and I say this with a certain degree of certainty! I know it may seem a bit premature but my thoughts of reflection have begun on what has been nothing short of the most amazing season to date. Some may argue that such a remark is exaggerated and sensationalising a merely “successful” season but I urge to those who do, look at the facts. Birmingham City was hanging onto 16th place and looking over our shoulder at the gaping relegation zone ready to swallow us up! We lost four games on the bounce and won just one game in six. Fans began the “4-4-2” chant after a somewhat shambolic display at home to Bolton, patients were wearing thin towards Alex McLeish and all fans were geared up for the usual dog fight at the foot of the table!
But no such fight was needed and most defiantly was no managerial dismissal necessary! The team of “old boys” and “inexperienced championship players” has produced the leagues success story of the year. McLeish’s men have shown that organisation, spirit and a touch of Lee Bowyer is enough to surpass any expectations that a know-it-all pundit may place on such teams. A shared similarity of most players in this year’s squad is the need and determination to prove a point. If to nobody else but themselves. Joe Hart’s ability to emerge as a possible England keeper and challenge Shay Given as Man City’s number 1. Stephen Carr digging out his boots from under his bed after retirement and returning to have an outstanding season. Agent Ridgewell and his broken leg – enough said there! The two “Championship” centre halves that have been nothing short of colossal! Our two “Bad Lads” in the centre of the park. Their temperament? Age? Ability to play at this standard? I think all has been answered there by Bowyer and Ferguson.
Is it possible that the effects of the Italian match fixing scandal that propelled Canavaro and his pasta slurping team mates to the heights of World Cup glory in 2006 has been replicated right here in Brum? Controversy breeds Togetherness? Or is it simply that McLeish has assembled a squad of winners, troops who seek the adrenaline rush of the battlefield. One thing is for sure, nobody can deny the achievement that the gaffer at the helm of these over-achievers has brought this season. To take a team on a 15 game unbeaten run in any league in the world is an accomplishment to say the least. To do it with the Blues is a near miracle. Or is it? Are these signs to come, is this article outdated and has the tide changed somewhat down at St.Andrews? Has the fortune inside those Chinese cookies found its way to Small Heath and has that evasive F.A cup got out name written on it? Only time will tell but can I personally say congratulations to everybody connected with Birmingham City football club for a season that NOBODY anticipated.
Now let’s give the likes of Gardner and Michel some playing time, see how high up that league we can get and maybe, just maybe engrave our names on that F.A Cup. A Sight that even the most optimistic of fans never expect to witness. Congratulations and Keep Right On!
Dale Moon
Birmingham City v Wigan Preview
Tomorrow sees us face Wigan at St Andrews in the Premier League. I am going to be at this one as it also the latest fans forum at the club – more on that next week!
After a couple of disappointing results in the league, we will be looking to win and secure the 40 point mark – just to MAKE SURE that we are safe! 
After the fantastic run came to an end at Chelsea, we have struggled a bit. It is interesting that the squad has had a few changes too because of injuries. According to the news I have at the moment, we are back to full strength. It looks like Barry Ferguson is available again, of course he may not go straight into the side.
The other player who has missed a couple of games is Chucho. I didn’t see last Sunday’s game, but I gather that McFadden did pretty well up front with Jerome. Despite this, I think I would bring Chucho back in. This is the sort of game that he could get his first St Andrews goal. I get the impression, that he could go on a scoring run then.
As far as Wigan, they are going through a difficult time at the moment. They have only won one Premier League game since the end of November, a 2-0 away victory at Wolves. During that time was our 3-2 victory at their place, a mauling by Manchester United and they have failed to beat a number of clubs who are in the relegation fight.
Titus Bramble and James McCarthy are likely to miss the game due to injuries, but as far as I can tell, they don’t have any other problems with players.
With the greatest respect to Wigan, this is the sort of game we should be winning as we look to cement ourselves as a mid-table Premier League side. I hope that Alex McLeish gets us to go on the offensive and look to get the crowd going with an early goal.
It would be nice to see us win comfortably, however I would take a 1-0!
As long as we return to our the defensive organisation that we were getting credit for during the unbeaten run, we should win.
I’m going for a 2-0 to Blues as a confidence boost before we face Portsmouth twice in a week in the cup and the league.
Fulham 2 Birmingham City 1 – Brief post match thoughts
After last week’s last minute winner we were on the other side of it today. That’s the ups and downs of football for you. Blues got a gift early on with a comedy own goal and played well in the first half. However as the match went on we seemed to sit further and further back in an attempt to hold onto the one goal advantage. This was fine until Damien Duff hit a screamer. McFadden was unlucky that his equally impressive attempt came back off the underside of the bar although I think that the keeper got a touch. As for their winner I thought that our wall could have been set up better but again it was a good strike.
I thought McFadden played OK in the role that I think he is best suited to. Being stuck out on the left doesn’t really make the best use of his talents. I’m a bit worried that our league season is in danger of fading out a bit after such a good start. I don’t mind if the team concentrates a bit on the cup but it would be disappointing if we now finish 14th although I would have taken that at the start of the season. We really need to return to winning ways next week and I think that the it might be time to refresh the team a bit. I hope Barry Ferguson’s injury isn’t too bad.
Overall a dissapointing result today as before the game I would have taken a point at a a ground where few visiting teams get a victory.
Blues News Digest
I haven’t done one for a couple of days, so here is a few stories relating to the Blues that have been in the press the last 24 hours.
Kevin Phillips will keep his options open about where he plays according to SSN.
Tom Ross added his thoughts about the late Gil Merrick. Mail.net.
The club are hosting a fund raiser for the Haiti appeal. Mail.net.
Barry Ferguson’s International come back, may not be easy according to Alex McLeish in an interview with the Daily Mail online.
Yesterday I did an article on our previous board. J&S.
Today I did an article about financial difficulties. J&S.
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