Alex the Great
Here’s another article by Dale.
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Three games they said we would lose, three games we have not only taken a point from but threatened enough to have pondered on what could have been. Chelsea and Manchester United were faced with one of our typically resilient displays and with the pace of Jerome and Benitez we may have nicked either game. The trip to Liverpool was no less frustrating as it was captivating. Jerome set the game alight with his screamer from 30 yards; Benitez got his long awaited first goal in a Blues shirt and then David Ngog went and dramatically performed a triple pike, double tuck inward twisting somersault over Lee Carsley to earn 6.5 points from the judges and a point for the home side. Upon reflection of our twelve game unbeaten run, Alex McLeish has assembled a squad that are not only capable of competing against the big 4 but seem to be disappointed with a point. Us! Blues!
Disappointed with a point against the two superpowers of Utd and Chelsea and a Liverpool side who give away next to nothing at Anfield! This is proof at how far we have come. In hindsight, McLeish’s job was dependant on promotion and effectively the finale away at Reading. But rewind to late September and after losing to Sunderland, Bolton and Burnley, Blues fans were geared up for the usual dogfight at the depths of the Premier League.
We then go to Arsenal and get what we all expected. A defeat. But what was to come none of us could have honestly anticipated. An unbeaten run that has lasted nearly three months and a team that has faced every challenge with grit, determination and spirit. At the helm is a man who once was questioned by home supporters (including myself) in the way of 4-5-1. A man who was 90 minutes from losing his job at the Majeski Stadium. Yet now, he seems to ooze with confidence, pride and knowledge, always looking in control of what questions the media prowlers throw at him. His honesty after games has also earned him plaudits, always admitting defeat and acknowledging when his team were below par.
McLeish has grown as a manger since joining Blues. He has disposed of the dead wood left for him by managers gone by and implemented a style, structure and spirit within his team. Prior to the Manchester United game, Sir Alex Ferguson commented on how well McLeish has done in his two years at Blues:
“’Alex McLeish has done a fantastic job. He only had a small amount of money to budget with when they came into the Premier League. ‘It tells you that Birmingham had to improve as a team from last season. They have done that remarkably well”
A sure-fire case of the master and pupil served up a highly contested 1-1 draw and prolonged Blues remarkable run to twelve games, beating a club record dating back to February 1908! This does not happen by luck. During the twelve games there have been times when Blues could and perhaps should have conceded but to go twelve games without losing is an achievement any club would be proud to pose. The new addition of Michel looks to be a long term coup with McLeish urging fans to give him time to adapt to the rough and tumble of the premier league.
I for one have no doubts that McLeish deserves to be acknowledged as a man who held it together when the pressure seemed unbearable and now has given Blues a platform, along with the new owners, to establish themselves as a premier league side and finally dispose the “Yo-yo club” label that so many branded in years gone by!
Dale Moon
Liverpool v Birmingham City My Brief Post Match Thoughts
Liverpool 2 Birmingham City 2
Before the match I thought we might get a point, (well my heart said), my head a defeat – so I’m happy with a point from Anfield although we COULD have had all 3.
Our resiliance tonight was fantastic. Dann and Johnson were awesome AGAIN and Hart put in a terrific performance after a couple of below par performances. He was unfortunate with the 1st goal, he pulled off a wonderful save just before it.
Despite going behind, we fought back well – and Chucho finally has bagged his first goal for us. Then we went on and went ahead with a FANTASTIC goal. Jerome, where on earth did that come from!
I said on the forum that we had to survive 15 minutes without conceding, which we did, however to be fair Liverpool completely dominated the 2nd half. As a result it was frustrating to concede the equaliser in the way that we did. The decision was a poor one – N’gog dived, however to be fair to the ref I think he didn’t have a clear view.
I can’t deny that Liverpool deserved a point, and maybe even going on to win it – however over all our endeavour and commitment earned us a point.
Well done Blues – well done Alex.
Kev
Liverpool v Birmingham City Preview
I don’t normally do the previews, but I thought I’d give it a go.
Monday night sees us playing a Liverpool side who appear to be struggling. We are fresh from two very good performances against Sunderland, (2-1) and Man City, (0-0).
There is never a good time to play the legends from merseyside, however you have to say that now just MIGHT be a reasonable one with them struggling in the league and having played a Champions League game midweek.
Liverpool have lost 3 of their last 4 Premier League games, (but they have won their last 3 home games), their only win in that 4 is a 2-0 victory over Utd. Fulham were the most recent victors with 3-1 at Craven Cottage. To make matters worse, Degen and Carragher were sent off meaning they both miss the game. There are also doubts over a number of players, but the two worth mentioning is Gerrard and Torres.
Any side in the league would want either of these players, let alone both of them! They are both struggling with injury, and could miss Monday. Torres played most of the game on Tuesday, but clearly wasn’t fit. It is difficult to know if Rafa will risk him. Out of the two, from what other people are saying, Torres is the more likely to play.
As far as we are concerned, we seem to be getting together a settled side. Ferguson will miss Monday because of his double yellow last week – I suspect Carsley will come in for him. Fahey and O’Connor are both doubtful.
The leading scorers for the two sides are Liverpool Torres: 10 goals (10 league) and for us Bowyer: 3 goals (2 league). Therein lies our problem, not being able to put the ball in the net. The defence seems to be coming together, but we MUST start scoring. It’ll be interesting to see how Chucho playings against a defence that has been a bit rocked recently.
We have had some robust conversations on the forum regarding the goalkeeper! Hart, who is on loan from Manchester City, couldn’t play against his club on Sunday, however he has made a few mistakes. Taylor came in and did well, although he did spill the ball once. Despite this I felt that Hart would resume his place on Monday – but I’m not sure now as Hart played in a midweek reserves game v Villa. The result was 3-3, but we were 2-0. I didn’t go, but 1 person on the forum said that Hart looked like he lacked a bit of confidence.
What about previous meetings. I can remember us winning at Anfield in February 1978 3-2, a brilliant performance considering that Liverpool were rarely beaten at home in those days. I think only 11 league defeats at Anfield in the whole of the ’70s. We also beat Liverpool at Anfield in November 2004 1-0, the season we did the double over them. Apparently Rafa has never won a match against us!!! In fact, Liverpool have not beaten us in their last six league meetings, losing two and drawing four in the process. (They did stuff us 7-0 in the cup though – but less of that!). Liverpool’s record defeat is the 9-1 defeat to us in the 1950’s at St Andrews.
The general feel about the club is positive with the new owners, and a positive result of any kind on Monday, will certainly help that. HOWEVER beware a wounded Liverpool. I have seen them enough times over the years to know they don’t give up easily and if anyone expects them to roll over on Monday, you are very much mistaken.
So what of the result, well my heart wants to say a draw, however my head is going to rule here – 2-1 defeat.
Kev
Penny For Your Thoughts?
Here is akvbcfc’s latest contribution.
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Beach Volleyball, anyone?
Ever seen anything quite like it? One Liverpool fan scored a spectacular own goal, after his antics led to the only goal of the game between Sunderland and Liverpool, condemning Rafa’s side to another loss, propelling the side into yet another crisis.
Should beach balls be banned? Maybe we should clampdown on all such apparatus that is inappropriate. What if a flag from the crowd flew over the pitch, landing on the keeper’s face, giving the striker a tap in? Then again, what if a clapperboard thrown from the stands landed in the area, distracting the keeper? What if…what if…blah blah blah.
Yes, it should have been disallowed. But no, let’s not take fun aspects of the footballing experience away. Liverpool have already said that Man United fans will be searched for beach balls when they travel to Anfield for the match this weekend, in an extraordinary kill-joy spirit.
However, credit must be given to Liverpool for the way that they took the decision with good grace. They accepted their fate as Rafa Benitez sympathised with the position that the referee was left in. Fair play.
These things happen in life, and football. Sometimes all you can do is laugh… (I know I did)…
Does He Know What He’s Playing At?
Martin O’Neill is playing a dangerous game. Since he broke onto the scene as a bright, young, energetic striker, Emile Heskey has always wanted to feel needed. Martin O’Neill nurtured Heskey’s talent, constantly reassuring the youngster that he was good enough to make it big. O’Neill built up Heskey to the point where he was then sold to Liverpool for £11+ million pounds, in a deal which benefitted all parties involved. However, after being neglected and shunted out to the left wing, Heskey fell out of love with Liverpool, and he was moved on to our club. Heskey’s first season was great for all involved, as the fans took to the hard-working bulldozer who never stopped working. However, season 2 brought relegation, as fans attacked the striker for his supposed lack of interest in the fight. A move to Wigan followed, where his good form was rewarded with a move to Villa. A half decent start has fizzled out with a lack of opportunities and a lack of support in the stands.
The message is clear; Heskey needs to feel wanted if he is to live up to his billing. Fabio Capello has put faith in the striker, and he has been rewarded. However, at club level, Heskey can’t buy a game and his confidence is at an all time low. Martin O’Neill’s reaction has been to say that Heskey must toughen up. Tough love. Is it the right way to go? Well, it hasn’t worked before…
By akvbcfc
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