Classic Premiership Matches
Another match “from the archive.” Is there one you want to remind us of? Let us know here.
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Charlton Athletic vs Birmingham City 2003 – Sitting at the wrong end.
This game took place on Easter Saturday 2003 during our first season in the Premier League. It’s memorable for me because I was living in South East London at the time just a short bus ride from the Valley. I didn’t get to many games that season but this was one I wasn’t going to miss even though I couldn’t get a ticket in the away end. Instead I got on the 54 bus and sat towards the bottom of the East Stand with the Charlton fans.
Blues went into this game with six points clear of the relegation zone after a comfortable home win against Sunderland. They stuck with the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ front pairing of Christophe Dugarry and Geoff Horsfield with Damien Johnson joining Robbie Savage in midfield. Blues started the game brightly creating some early openings and could have been awarded a penalty when Horsfield appeared to be tripped in the box. It was mostly one way traffic and the breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Horsfield turned on the edge of box and pulled the ball back towards the near post where Dugarry flicked it in the back of the net with his heel. It was a brilliant bit of skill but fortunately for me I didn’t have a great view of it so managed to resist the urge to jump up into the air which would have blown my cover amongst the Charlton faithful.
Charlton came back into the game at the start of the second half but the Blues defence held firm. Then in the 55th minute Robbie Savage was put through by Horsfield and had a coming together with Chris Powell in the box. To my surprise, and I had an excellent view of this one, the referee pointed to the spot. Savage duly dispatched the penalty and while the fans around me were berating the referee I allowed myself a secret fist clench in celebration. That made the game safe but there was one more great chance that nearly blew my cover. Man of the match Horsfield played a one-two with Stern John to put himself clear but then fired the ball narrowly over the crossbar. I instinctively raised my arms in anticipation of the net bulging but saved myself by swiftly moving into a big yawn. Further chances for Horsfield and John could have made the win even more emphatic.
The game finished to chants of ‘The Blues are staying up!’ as I trudged out with the remaining Charlton fans trying my best to look unhappy. Once outside my frown turned into a massive grin celebrating a good performance and an excellent three points. I was also blessed to have had a chance to watch first hand the genius that was Christophe Dugarry.
Blues went on to win their next two games to secure their Premier League future with two games to spare.
Penny For Your Thoughts
Filed under: Articles by akvbcfc, General Football, Penny for Your Thoughts
After a short break, akvbcfc is back with an article. Here are his thoughts on recent events:
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A month away from my laptop due to exams have not quenched my thirst for the beautiful game and what a month it has been…
Into The Abyss You Go…
On Saturday 16th August 2008, who could have possibly predicted the season that was later to unfold?
It has been a truly remarkable year for numerous reasons, and as usual, it has come to an end full of joy and laughter, tears and sadness, success and failure. A season that began with visions of Brazilian magic emerging from the realms of Stamford Bridge, and with a Messiah in charge of Newcastle, has ended with a heroic Russian riding off into the sunset, and a new Messiah, whose eternal image is tainted with the pain of relegation.
Another rollercoaster ride has ended with the demotion of West Brom (again), Boro (thank god), and Newcastle (haha). For the first time in their history, Newcastle have been relegated from the Premier League, and the Tyne-Tees derby will now take place…in the Coca-Cola Championship. Do I have any sympathy for West Brom? Just a bit, but they prepared for this day the second they were promoted back to the Top Table. Any sympathy for Boro? Yep, definitely. They have a fantastic chairman and good facilities, but they always seemed to be a bit out of their depth in the top flight. Any sympathy for Newcastle? Get a grip.
Newcastle United has been badly run since the day that Bobby Robson left the club and the club deserves no sympathy or kind thoughts whatsoever.
Yes, relegation was hard on the fans. The thousands of fans who decide to host mass wakes or parties depending on the result the week before. The thousands who turned on their club completely mid-season, when the team needed them most. My message? It may be cruel, but get on with it. Being a Bluenose, we’ve been relegated from the Prem twice, but we didn’t get any sympathy coming our way. Heck, Leeds are in League 1, and not one person has offered them even a tiny amount of sympathy.
Honest, hard working players have been sold as the club constantly tried to ‘improve’, but as a result, the club have only moved backwards. James Milner has provided a perfect example. He was a quality young player, who gave his all and never put in a bad performance. However, Graeme Souness decided that he didn’t like the kid and he did his utmost to offload him onto another club. Villa didn’t sign him, and then Newcastle had another chance to utilise the young star’s potential. What happened? He signed for Villa last summer. The club ditched bright young stars in favour of over-paid layabouts who offered little. Boumsong, Collocini or Luque anyone?
Mismanagement has been evident for the past few seasons, and this was brought to a head by the entrance of Mike Ashley. The Spurs fan who wanted to go and have a beer with the Toon Army before the game. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
Then? Then he hired Dennis Wise, Executive Director (football), and the club just became even more of a laughing stock. To think, things went downhill from here!
I know that this article may seem as if I am completely against Newcastle FC and everyone connected with the club, but let me be clear, I am not. At their best, Newcastle fans can be quite brilliant in their encouragement. However, mismanagement, diabolical decision making and a lack of unity has led to a situation which previously seemed unthinkable. This is a good club, with a very large fan base and a unique belief that anything is possible, and I admire that. However, Newcastle United has no-one to blame but Newcastle United. They brought it on themselves.
Where to now?
“Whoever comes into the football club will have a big job on their hands”
Alan Shearer’s words will resonate in the minds of Newcastle fans this morning as they tried to piece together the puzzle that is Newcastle FC. There are no more Messiahs (apart from Ant and Dec, but they’ve got Britain’s Got Talent), and the club has to start again. Of the 3 relegated clubs, West Brom are in the best position to bounce back, purely because they know what the Championship is all about. Boro have not played a game in the second tier for 11 years, Newcastle haven’t played a game there for 16, and it will be a monumental shock to the system when the league kicks off next season.
West Brom have players on low wages, so they’re fine. Boro have relegation clauses in most, if not all of their players’ contracts, so they should be OK. Newcastle…well, what do you think?
I would say that at Boro, the whole playing squad needs overturning, because in many ways, the squad is just not good enough. Personally, I would say that they also need a new man in the dug-out, but it seems that the patience of the Boro owner Steve Gibson may win the day. Boro need a couple of strikers who actually know where the goal is, and they need to refresh the club with younger, hungrier players, who will fight for everything. Newcastle? A complete overhaul is needed, otherwise the club could implode. Without these relegation clauses in contracts, the club will find it very hard to balance the books next season. If Shearer stays on, and you just get the feeling that he will, then the squad must be replaced. Not refreshed. Replaced. The players are not good enough, and that is a fact.
Going Down the Right Way
Albion deserve a bit of respect. Yes, they went down, and yes, in certain matches they proved to be cannon fodder for the opposition, but at least they went down playing football. As a result, after their relegation was confirmed, the Hawthorns stood to a man and gave the players a standing ovation. It was an amazing sight considering what had just happened, but that was testimony to Tony Mowbray’s unique brand of football, which involves getting the ball, and passing it. People have slated West Brom all season, saying that they had to play ‘dirty’ if they wanted to stay up, but in the end, they were only 3 points off survival. And that was with a suicidal defence and a set of strikers who could not hit a barn door with a banjo. If West Brom had the likes of Wheater and Huth in defence, and maybe Obafemi Martins upfront, then they would not have gone down. Let the Championship take note, you can play beautiful football in the Premier League.
Next Challenger Please…
It’s our turn now.
That is the message that will echo down the corridors of Molineux, St Andrews, and now, for the first time, Turf Moor. The mission statement for Wolves, Blues and Burnley is clear – Survival.
The failures of Albion, Boro and the Toon Army are clear to see, and it is up to the promoted sides to make sure that they learn from the past failures of other clubs. Can they do it? Of course they can, because anything can happen in this game. Will they do it? Now that question is a bit harder to answer. It is of the utmost importance that all 3 sides are resolute in defence, with a touch of class in the centre of the park and strikers who will get crucial goals at crucial times. Mick McCarthy, Alex McLeish, Owen Coyle…Good luck, you are going to need it.
Join our FA or F off
The Football Association of Wales will take no action over the debacle during the Cardiff-Swansea match where referee Mike Dean was hit with a coin. Despicable. And that’s just the Welsh FA. It’s about time that Cardiff and Swansea joined the English system fully, or they leave for good. The FA should have the right to punish each and every club playing in English League’s. Is it so much to ask?
Why Barry has to stay at Villa
Yes, I know you are surprised, startled, and maybe a little bit shocked…but it’s true. If Barry goes to Liverpool now, he will probably end up playing left back/left wing in a World Cup year. It’s about time that Mr Barry woke up and realised the truth. If he goes to Liverpool, he won’t be utilised ‘properly’ as he is used currently in his central midfield berth at Aston Villa. Sit on the bench, or be the heartbeat of a top 6 Premier League side? Come on, a World Cup is more important than a seat on the Liverpool bench.
My Top Moments of the Season
It really has been an enthralling season, for a number of reasons, but after much consideration (about 5 minutes when I was making breakfast), here are the 6 memories that I will take away from this season:
1) The Rafa Benitez Rant – Well, what more can I say…It was an extraordinary premeditated attack which did…well…nothing.
2) Phil Brown’s Half Time Show – Brown’s decision to conduct his half time team-talk on the pitch at the City of Manchester Stadium was not well advised. Let’s leave it at that.
3) The Worst Premier League Ever? – I’m sorry, but the talk that this season has been the most competitive ever will not wash with me. The standard of football in the top division is decreasing. Yes, there is undoubted quality when you look at the top 6 teams in the league, but apart from those teams, there are very few others who offer anything. Teams entering the Premier League should have nothing to fear…Play half-decent football, and score a few goals, and you should be safe…comfortably.
4) Roy of the Rovers – Kiki Macheda. Absolutely amazing. Just when United were down and out against Villa, and when their title aspirations seemed to be on the brink of collapse, the young debutant stood up and finished with aplomb. It was one of those magic moments, and Macheda has gained cult status at Old Trafford after two touches of a football. It’s what this game is all about.
5) Down and Out? – This season has seen the demotion of some truly massive clubs. Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Southampton and Charlton have all been relegated and they all face a massive task if they are to return. Such monumental events can only be remedied by following the glowing example of Nigel Pearson’s Leicester City side who have been promoted back to the Championship.
6) We are Premier League! – At the end of the day, our own club’s triumphs are the greatest. Blues were promoted on a historic day at the Madjeski Stadium after a nail-biting victory over Reading, and the celebration party that followed the final whistle was worth all the nerves and anger that had gone before.
Can’t wait till next season? Join the club.
By akvbcfc
Where The Title Was Lost
An end of season article from Bazza.
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I enjoyed Nat’s article looking at where promotion was won and am broadly in agreement. At the start of the season I stated that only the title would do if we were to claim a truly successful season. It was disappointing to miss out to Sunderland on the last day two years ago (Preston again damn them) and it was just as much a dampener to allow Wolves to win the top prize in the end at a canter.
Now don’t get me wrong here, I am of course thrilled to be back in the Premier League after the heartbreak of last season but the fact is that our squad with all of its alleged quality at this level underperformed for large chunks of the season.
Three teams beat Blues home and away which is two more than two years ago. The teams were Blackpool, Coventry and Preston. These six fixtures represent 18 points and if you add to that our failure to beat relegated Norwich on either occasion you can add another four.
Finally, I would add the contributions made by two of the worst officials I have ever witnessed namely Lee Mason at Sheffield United and Michael Oliver at St Andrews against Plymouth. These two referees and their inept assistants cost us a further five points. There were a number of missed opportunities of course such as the games at Crystal Palace and Charlton for instance but these can be placed one side.
Considering the final total discussed above, the point count comes to a staggering 27!
Let’s be hard on ourselves and say that it is not unreasonable to expect that Blues should have gleaned at least one third of these points? That would be nine which would have delivered the title by a clear two points over Wolves.
Other teams will of course argue that they should have had more here and there also but I’m concentrating on totally avoidable slip ups in this article. Our performances against Blackpool and Coventry were nothing short of abysmal and there can be no excuse for losing to these mediocre outfits once let alone twice in a season. The Preston results were a little more unfortunate as I felt we had been the better side at Deepdale only to get mugged and the two goals they scored at St Andrews wouldn’t appear in the same match under normal circumstances and probably cannot be catered for.
Against Norwich and Plymouth it was a case of missed chances, and bad refereeing in the case of the Plymouth game. It is therefore remarkable that despite our profligacy we have still managed to secure automatic promotion and we have to be grateful that due to Reading’s form completely deserting them that we were not punished.
Next season, whomever we buy, however we strengthen, there is one inescapable truth; Blues will have to beat the teams they should beat and it will quickly become apparent who those teams are. Last time we should have beaten Derby, Reading and Fulham at home. These lapses costing two points a piece are what relegated us. Alex McCleish and David Gold say that we have learned the lessons from before; let us all hope so!
KRO SOTV
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?
View from the South – Charlton vs Birmingham City
Here’s Bazza’s view on the match at The Valley
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It is very easy to get downbeat and negative at a time like this when Sheffield United seem to be laying waste to all before them while we stutter against opposition we all believe we should beat comfortably. However what did we expect? That Charlton were just going to roll over because the mighty Brum were coming to town? No of course not; Charlton Athletic is a famous club with a proud tradition. True they have fallen on hard times and are rock bottom of the league with relegation to the third tier of the football hierarchy in England a virtual certainty. Their players remain professional and possess integrity to give of their very best against whomever they face despite their parlous state. Anything less would be grossly unfair to our rivals. We would want the clubs threatened by the drop to take the game to those challenging us and how many of us cannot say they have secretly hoped for an unlikely goal from the likes of Southampton, Charlton and Norwich when they are locked in combat against Wolves, Reading, Cardiff or Sheffield United?
The result yesterday is of course desperately disappointing but on the way home on the train I overheard a comment from a Blues supporter who said “we’ve got to look upon this as a point gained.” Indeed it is; there was in contrast a Charlton fan coming out of the ground who was having a right whinge up griping that Taylor had saved us and there was only one team in it and I don’t know who the team at the top of the table was because it certainly wasn’t your lot! Yadda yadda yadda! I belligerently replied that the team at the top was us and the team at the bottom; Charlton (take a look at the table sir!) and that we could have scored at least two goals ourselves although our chances weren’t as clear cut. “I don’t remember them” he said to which I replied that I was at the end of the ground where the incidents happened and asked him which match he had attended? Ah the view of the partisan; don’t you just love it? However, I know where he was coming from just as much as the Blues fan with his comment.
The Valley is one of the easier venues for me to get to and I went with my eldest son who is home from University. My in-laws live near Orpington and we killed two birds with one stone by paying them a visit, parking the car and going by train to Charlton via London Bridge. I met up with Aylesburyblue who had sent me an email earlier in the week. He said he was going to be sitting on the front row next to a fat bloke with a beard! Rather a harsh description but it helped with the identification! It was good to put a fellow blogger’s name to a face. What about the game? Well we did what we have done far too often this season; got off to a low tempo start which set the tone for the rest of the half. We were in complete control in the first 45 minutes when Charlton produced nothing. We didn’t move the ball quick enough and the passing was cautious and ponderous. At one stage I counted 15 passes across the back four incorporating the goalkeeper which resulted in not one single inch of territory gained. I know it pays to be patient but pace has to be injected at some stage to pull defenders out of position in order to create openings.
The first half was largely a waste and far too comfortable for our opponents. We attempted to play the same as against Doncaster and at Bristol City when the one up front system worked. We didn’t work the ball fast enough, didn’t get behind their defence and the crosses when they came were piled in from too deep making the job the thugs in the Charlton back line easy. Cameron Jerome is ill suited to this type of battle with his back to goal and this was why he was presumably replaced by Bent in the second half. The faithful didn’t like it but I could see the change made sense.
The second period was better and Blues attempted to get at Charlton a little more but they played their part also. Murphy allowed Lloyd Sam far too much room down their right flank and he gave us trouble. Ward scored a goal that should have stood having watched a replay this morning. He was onside when the ball was headed down to him but the TV commentary conveniently glossed over the fact that Phillips, who had come on for Larsson, was also onside as he received the ball in a goal scoring position only to be clipped in the penalty area. The offside flag was raised absolving the referee of all responsibility to award the penalty and produce a red card. That evened out I feel. In fairness both decisions were very tight.
Fahey produced two excellent saves from Elliot in the Charlton goal from a stinging shot from 25 yards and a close range header from Bent’s knock back. Phillips was very close from one of his trademark volleys and better control from Bowyer when well placed could have given Blues the lead in a quicker more exciting second half. Charlton had the better chances; of that there is no dispute. Taylor made three wonderful saves towards the end and it is true there was an element of good fortune at time especially when Sam crashed the ball off the near post from out wide. Taylor saved his best for last batting away a nasty deflection that was going over his head at pace with the keeper on his knees. The Charlton fan was right; Taylor did save us! However, it would be wrong to not acknowledge the huge contributions made by Ridgewell, Jonty and Carr. Ridgewell was man of the match in my view despite Taylor’s heroics. There was still time for one last break from Blues. Phillips picked up the ball just inside the Charlton half and ran at the defence. A space opened up and I thought “this is it, this is it!” The shot was fired from the edge of the box but it swerved two feet wide and with that our last chance to snatch the points. Phillips normally hits the target from there so it was disappointing to say the least.
Accentuating the positive, we are back in second place albeit by only a point; the point gained from this match. We still have automatic promotion in our hands although the title has probably gone. However, no further slip ups can be allowed. I still think Sheffield United will falter at some stage over the next four games but if they don’t I suggest our blade will have to be laid at their feet in recognition of an incredible achievement. There is no virtue in worrying about those teams around us at this stage. Concentrate on the next task Blues please; beat Plymouth and I don’t care how!
KRO SOTV
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