The New Blues, How Has that Happened?
I 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
The Table Never Lies!
I’m pleased to introduce a new contributor to Joys and Sorrows.
Dale Moon is a broadcast journalism student from Birmingham currently studying at Nottingham Trent. He approached me to offer his services – so here is his 1st article. Enjoy, and give him some encouragement!
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Five games, three wins, two draws and the table NEVER lies!
Sitting in a cosy eleventh place heading into December, Alex McLeish seems to have reignited the Birmingham Spirit of old. The likes of Savage, Aliou Cisse and “The Horse” have since been replaced by players of equal grit and maybe just maybe with an extra dose of quality. Ferguson, Bowyer and the colossus that is Roger Johnson, seem to have mastered the art of winning ugly.
Ferguson supplies, Bowyer fires and Roger . . . well isn’t it obvious, he defends his goal like it’s a fortress built by his bare hands! How refreshing that after 5 years, the St. Andrew’s faithful are seeing the exact mentality that once convincingly defeated the old enemy on a bitter Monday night!
Make no mistake about it, this is not about them! McLeish has slowly but surely assembled a team worthy of competing in the unforgiving Premier League! Isn’t that all a blues fan wants?
Ok so now we have Carson Yeung on board but it is worth remembering that is wasn’t too long ago that the championship was our daily workplace! For all the riches that come with the Hong Kong businessman I for one would be happy to see how the current side would perform all season. However I, like most Blues fans, would jump at 40 million pounds to bring in new faces.
For all their endeavour and blistering pace, the double act of Jerome and Benitez just does not score enough goals. The likeability of both players needs to be discredited. This is a cut throat business where goals win you games and Blues simply do not score enough.
Jerome similar to Emile Heskey will scare defenders, make them panic, but scare tactics don’t move you up the table. His pace will cause defenders problems at all levels but his job, as a striker, is to score. Setting aside the thunderbolt at Anfield he has not caused opposition goalkeepers too many problems. Can you see him being a 15 goal a season striker?
Christian Benitez is different. With all the hype and expectation, is taking a while for the Ecuadorian to settle in. It can be seen in his game. Coming from a league where defenders are almost a different species to that of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, Benitez conquered above all. Notching up 35 goals in 66 appearances for his Club Side (Santos Laguna) he inevitably would turn European heads. Since joining the blues, he seems to have a “head down and run” mentality.
Being the star of the show in a Mexican play is not enough to earn a lead role in a West End Musical. But nobody has told Benitez. On numerous instances during his 13 games has “Chucho” had the opportunity to pick a simple pass that would create a chance for the likes of Jerome, Bowyer and McFadden. But all too often chooses to opt alone, running around like a headless chicken until eventually scuffing a shot wide or being dispossessed by a combination of dizziness and simple defending.
There needs to be signs of improvement and these signs come in one form and one form only. Goals. If not, then the likes of the lovable pair of Jerome and Benitez may well be part of the dugout furniture.
As the January transfer window nears, Sammy Yu and Alex McLeish have both stressed the importance of obtaining the positive spirit currently in abundance around the club. The same spirit that has started to emerge as the trademark of this Blues side. Resilience, Determination and sheer heroics from Scott Dann and Roger Johnson has got us this far but scoring is a problem. With Wigan, West Ham and Blackburn as the next three games, McLeish will believe they can take points from each. Jerome and Benitez need to contribute. If not, we may see a different strike force come the turn of the year!
Dale Moon
So the Day Has Arrived!
It’s official – we are now owned Carson Yeung. Mr Yeung gave a press conference this afternoon where he pledged his commitment to making the club as big as possible.
He has pledged substancial money for new players for January, between 20-40 million. I believe that will include wages, but whichever way you look at it – it is streets ahead of the previous board. Let’s hope that in the excitement, the new owners don’t overstretch the club, something I believe is now officially called – “doing a Leeds!”
There was one funny moment where one of the gathered throng asked Mr Yeung if the managers job was safe. He paused, and then said “not at the moment!” Relax Alex, it turns out the question had been interpreted incorrectly! (Mind you I did wonder what the interpreter had ACTUALLY asked!)
As I said in my Sammy Yu article, the new guys are appearing to say the right things. There seems to already be a different feel to things. I really hope things do work out. As I said on 5 Live this morning, I’m cautiously optimistic.
What are your thoughts on the new guys, the money pledged and that the managers job is safe? Put your comments below.
Kev
Sammy Yu is a Bwunose
This evening, Sammy Yu, (our new Vice Chairman), was the guest of Tom Ross on the BRMB phone in. Peter Pannu was unable to make the show.
Sammy apparently turned up with a gold Blues pendant around his neck and claimed that he is now a Bwunose!
Sammy came over as a very pleasant affable person. He was asked some very direct questions, none of which he dodged. I will attempt to sum up the key questions and answers for those who missed it.
I will write the article as a questions and answers session. Some of the questions I have joined together as they overlap – but I have usd Sammy’s answers. I haven’t used his answer word for word – but summed up his answers.
Q Will you be bringing back the kids for a quid / improve ticket prices?
We have reduced the prices of the Man City game to £25, as we understand that the fans believe the prices are too high. We do hope that the fans realise it will take a little time to get this right – we will do our best to get things right. We have heard what you as fans have said and we will do it. We are looking to do a kids for a quid and maybe even kids for free. They are the clubs future and would want to get them more involved. We are a family, and we want us all to share that. I’d rather give the 6000 kids free tickets and fill the seats.
Q Will there be money available for players in January?
Yes definitely. We will be meeting with Alex with Carson so we can support Alex. Our first target is to remain in the Premier League. We have already discussed players – and we have already identified a number of quality players – I promise they are. We want to work as a family. This is your club, our club.
Q Who are the other people in the background supporting with finance? Or is it a 1 man operation?
Carson will be main man running things and is the owner, with the rest of us running the club. We will run things in a simple way, with our first target to stay in the Premier League. Then step by step we will look to build up the club.
Q How are you going to bring the old atmosphere back?
A very important thing is to make sure everything is right from top to bottom including bringing in quality players. We must also look at the academies like at Arsenal. We will be honest with the fans, we will be straight. We want the fans to talk to us.
Q Where do you see Blues football 3 to 4 years?
We are trying to make the club better and better each year. We hope to be an established Premier League club by then. With quality home or local players. It is a step by step process. We have to plan and it may well take time – but we are ambitious.
Q Will there be deals /ways for making it easier to buy tickets?
We will do our best to improve things – please let us know if there is anything we can improve. We will true to fulfil all of these kind of things.
Q Will you embrace the Blues Ladies side?
Why not, they are part of us – part of the city. These are the sorts of ideas we need to know about from our family.
Q Will you be investing in the stadium?
We hope to eventually to build a new stadium as the existing stadium is restricted by the local residents etc. We hope to get more supporters at cheaper prices. We will try our best to provide a stadium by 2018 for the possible World Cup in the UK. However if we need to we WILL invest in St Andrews.
Q Will the board have any input into players and tactics?
You can relax on this. We are looking to work together and yes we will give our opinion, but we like Alex. Despite my English Chinese and his Scottish – we talk well!
Q How are the board looking to entice the stay away fans?
We already have something in mind and in the next few days we should be able to say something on this. We need them to come back and entice them to be with us. They are part of the family.
Q How wealthy are the backers and Carson Yeung?
You will know more about this on Thursday, but I can tell you there is no worries.
Q How are you going to get us to play more attacking football?
We have to survive first, but we hope we will aiming towards us playing better.
Q Are you going to get the 1 million back from Karren?
(Laughs), we will look at this. But we hope that people now not look backwards to the past, but look forwards with us.
Q What role is Steve McManaman going to play?
He will be involved with International development, as an ambassador. We are looking to grow the Blues as a global brand. This will include possible friendlies there or Chinese teams coming here.
Q How secure will the club be?
We will make sure that the club will stay secure. This so everyone in the city can enjoy it.
Q Will there be lots of Chinese players?
We will be looking to bring talent in, from Hong Kong, China or wherever - however local talent will be more important to us. But we will look to do some exchanges between countries to help them develop. But we won’t be looking exclusively in the far east.
Q Why did you buy the Blues and not Newcastle?
I have been asked this many times. It was destiny. In the 1981 when I was in the UK on the way to a coaching course, I flew into Heathrow and got on a coach to Birmingham New Street. I spent some time in the city. Two and a half years ago came over for the FA semi-final. That Christmas we came to the Blues Forest game and we thought yes why not? We know the city – the fans have a passion. Let’s do it. We haven’t come here for business or for money – we took over to make the club successful.
Q What are you going to do regarding existing season ticket holders that have paid high prices?
We care about everyone. We will be looking at that, but we have to do something to make things fair. We will definitely be doing something. There will be something there for you.
Q How often will you and the others be at the ground?
Carson will be here Thursday to start planning for the future. We will be there for most of them. (A 6,000 mile trip for Carson!)
Q Have you learnt Keep Right On to the End of the Road yet?
No. Tom will have to teach me that!
Sammy was prepared to answer all the questions face on, and I have to say after listening to the phone in – I am quite excited.
Your comments would be appreciated.
Kev
The New Board and a New Poll
First thing to say is sorry for all the re-posts tonight, we are trying to rebuild the content after we got hacked and then our hosts restored the wrong backup. Needless to say they are now our ex-hosts.
Anyway, has anyone seen the pictures today of our new board. It’s nice to see them for real but I must say Peter Pannu looks a bit scary… I heard that a couple of them sat amongst the fans at the Bolton game to get a real feel for the club. I don’t know what they learnt from watching a game from the Main Stand but I would hope that their first conclusion was that we need a new Main Stand! They would also learnt about how bad the catering is although to be fair they could have learnt that from sitting in any stand.
I’ve also added a new poll about how people feel about the new board. Are you excited or worried about the future?
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