Honesty

I always admired McLeish for that.

99% of the time he was honest. About players; with fans; regarding performance; talking about controversial issues. He was honest. He said it how it was. Maybe that’s why I learnt to dislike Arsene Wenger so much, because for the past three and a half seasons the manager of the club I supported was honest to me, to the players, the club, and the rest of the fans.

That’s why I was not only shocked at him leaving, but I was surprised that he did not give us a reason. He buried his head in the sand, ignored it all and then to went and spoke to our most despised rivals a couple of days later. I felt betrayed, actually, by a man I thought I could trust because he was always so honest.

Let’s be real: the football wasn’t always that great. But I liked him. He was a good man, a good manager and someone you could tell the players loved. He helped to bring good players to the club; gems like Scott Dann and Roger Johnson and experienced professionals in Barry Ferguson, Stephen Carr and Lee Bowyer. And then he even managed to build the team spirit which we have been renowned for other the past couple of years.

He got us promoted at the first time of asking, he took us to the dizzy heights of 6th in the Premier League in a season where we finished 9th, the highest we have ever finished before. He managed the unbeaten run stretching from October to January in 2009/10. He formed ‘the unbeatables’ of Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden, Jerome and Chucho. He was in charge for two of the best nights down at St. Andrews against Villa and West Ham, and unforgettably led the team to a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the Carling Cup Final – the first real piece of history and silverware the club has won.

Then we got relegated. Again. But he said he’d stick with us and lead us back to the Premier League. If he had left at the end of the season and said he felt he could do no more with us, after three and a half years, I would have somewhat understood his decision. I'd be disappointed, but I'd understand. But he brought in two new players, and in the middle of deals for two more players – ALL of which were on his transfer targets list – he resigned without warning.

We’re still waiting for McLeish to tell us just why he left; surely we deserve that at least? Or a thank you, or something. He may not get on with the board but as fans who, as a majority, have stuck by him through the dire football, through the first relegation and through the second one up until Sunday when he decided to leave, surely we deserve something? I thought he was honest, but would a man with honesty really do this to the club he’d been at for years? To go to their nearest rivals? A man who has witnessed, first-hand, the fans’ hatred of each other, and the passion and jubilance when we beat them. It doesn’t feel right.

But maybe I’m too trustworthy. Maybe I’m kidding myself to think people are loyal in football anymore, but I thought I could at least trust someone, the manager of my club, to stick with us through this tough time, and not jump ship to go to our rivals.

Or maybe I should just accept that this is the way things go. He was with us for a good amount of time, not a lot of managers stay this long at clubs. Maybe, at the end of last season after having finished 9th, I was wrong to think that we might be nearing some kind of stability on and off the field. But could I be excused for being so naïve? Do we not deserve something after some of the things we’ve had to endure in the past? Well, just over twelve months later I can tell you it doesn’t work that way. Football will always find a way to kick you where it hurts, but as fans we’ll always find reasons to come back for more.

Not only has McLeish left, but he has paved the way for players to leave too, players like Barry Ferguson who would have stayed if McLeish was still manager, so it’s with a feeling of betrayal that I say goodbye to Alex McLeish. I wish it hadn’t ended like this, but it’s his own doing really. Thanks for the Carling Cup and thanks for your time here at Blues. And above all thank you for teaching me that even the most honest of men cannot be trusted, not 100% of the time anyway. I’d say best of luck in the future, but both my head and my heart hope you fail miserably.

Cheers Eck, I hope the Villa fans are right about you.

An Eventful Week In The Midlands

Amid Alex McLeish talking to Randy Lerner, online protests from adamant fans, hilarious little gatherings at Villa park and Craig Gardner making some rather questionable remarks; Blues have made another addition to the squad.

Morgaro Gomis, formally of Dundee United, completed his free transfer to the club today and will join the rest of the players when they resume training in a few weeks time. As a midfielder, Gomis played over 100 times for Dundee and has described his move to Blues as "a dream." Maybe someone should mention to him that this is the Blues of Birmingham, rather than the Blues of Chelsea!


By ways of players leaving the club, nothing else has been set in stone yet, however there are rumours that Barry Ferguson will follow McLeish in leaving the club, presumably to follow him to Aston Villa - should the Scot take up the vacant managers position there.

Elsewhere, Craig Gardner's comments have been a talking point this week, as the midfielder told Tom Ross that the Premier League is the place to be and mentioned he is "a Blues player at the moment" but he does have "a family to support," suggesting that however many thousand a week he is on clearly is not enough to support a wife and a new born baby. It just brings up the debate about money in football, and the fact players' loyalties can be bought - even self-proclaimed fans of the club - just for the sake of a few more thousand pounds per week and the promise of Premier League football. Stay and be a hero at the club he has always supported, or earn a bit more in the Premier League at a mid-table club? Your choice Craig.

Of course the one major talking point of the week that cannot be ignored is Alex McLeish. The Villa fans have certainly made it clear what they think about him managing their club, and that's that they do not want him there. The protests from the minority of their fans outside Villa Park yesterday highlighted their frustrations furhter, and it is clear to see that there will be major problems should McLeish be appointed manager - something which seems more and more possible as the days progress.

As a Blues fan, our sole concentration now should be on who we appoint as a manager and I'm putting my faith in the board to make the right decision. It's a new beginning for Blues now and it could possibly be the fresh start we need. Hopefully.

No bragging rights this time

This time last year if you offered me a point against the Villa I would have say ta very much and bit your hand off for it. As it's been this season, in the two league games we've played we've taken a point from each of them and I want more. Just like in the reverse fixture back in October; today, we could have won. 1-1 was probably a fair result in what was a hard fought contest in a game that was brilliant for the neutrals to watch, but Blues fans couldn't help coming out of that game feeling a little angry that we didn't get more than a point.

After his mistake midweek against West Ham you'd forgiven Ben Foster for being a bit cautious, but my life he started shakey. Trying to skill the Villa players instead of clearing it isn't the way to go Ben! In fact, the whole team started pretty shakily, and the first five minutes of the match felt like a lifetime.

We soon got over that start though and began to get into the game, but not quite on top. Villa hit the bar four or five times and we were lucky to get away with some slack defending. We did have chances of our own however, and the link-up play between Hleb and Bentley was brilliant at times, and Bentley's running down the wing with Carr was excellent.


Derbyshire had to run the line himself due to Jerome's absence through injury, and nearly made it 1-0 after Gardner's persistence allowed him to cross the ball, only for Derbyshire to miss kick, and the ball ran past him. This was the best chance of the half for Blues.

It was an end to end game and it was quite an open affair, but it took until the second half for the deadlock to be broken. Bentley's free kick was passed out to Gardner who had a shot on goal, which deflected around the box for a while until the outstretched leg of Roger Johnson fired it home for Blues, for the defender's first ever goal at St. Andrews (for the home side, anyway!)


The place erupted into song and Blues continued to keep possession and have chances on goal. It could have very nearly been two nil soon after when Derbyshire ran into the box but his shot was palmed just off the line by Friedel and there was no one in a Blues shirt in the box to pick up the ball for what would have been the easiest tap in ever.

Blues were later made to rue their missed chances with just 20 minutes left. Albrighton's cross into the box was cleared only as far as James Collins who had the easy task of firing it home for Villa, with a deflection off Ridgewell along the way. Blues lack of clinical finishing punished them, and after looking at picking up a vital three points, they had to do it all over again as the away side were back on level terms.

Both teams had chances to win it at the death. Delfouneso's rocket shot was saved by Foster and then hit the bar, and Zigic's header went through the hands of Friedel but then out of play - must to the relief of the travelling Villa supporters.

And that was that. Honours even in the third second city derby of the season, and a relegation battle still on hand for both teams. There's a long way to go yet.

Full Time: Birmingham City 1-1 Aston Villa

Honours Even

For Blues, it was a chance to beat their nearest, but certainly not dearest, rivals for the first time in six attempts. For Villa, it was a change to make it '7-in-a-row'. And for both teams, it was the first derby game of the season.

Blues kept the same formation that saw them beat Blackpool in the previous Premier League game, whilst Villa - the home side - opted for a negative 4-5-1 shut out. We all really should have seen what would happen in the next 90 minutes coming.

The game started off at a high tempo, but as it got further and further into the game, Sky were probably breathing a sigh of relief that they had not paid to air the game - (especially upon seeing the full time result of the tyne-wear derby!) For Blues and Villa fans alike, it was a game full of tension, but for the neutrals, it was pretty boring. Neither team had too many clear cut chances, and with the home side shaping up to actually play for a draw, it was pretty disappointing in itself.


To saw Blues shaded the first half would probably be a correct statement. Neither team really created much, which was the story of the game, however Blues pressured much more in the first forty-five minutes, and the home side didn't even have a shot of target, which really speaks volumes.

A derby game isn't a derby game without a controversial decision, and the closest the game came to controversy was near the end of the first half, when Nigel Reo-Coker - who by the end of the game could consider himself a lucky little boy to still be on the pitch - appeared to handle the ball in the area, after some suspect 'controlling' of the ball. No penalty was awarded, and not many Blues players staked a claim for a penalty, but on reply is does look like the Villa player handled the ball.

The second half was not controlled by one team in particular, but you could say Villa had the better of it. Nigel Reo-Coker subsequently got booked, and also injured Roger Johnson, giving him idiot status amongst the Birmingham fans - and of course, like the true soldier he is, Roger battled on to see the game out.


It seemed like there was too much at stake for either team to really go for it - the ones to make the first move were Blues, by bringing Cameron Jerome on to go 4-4-2, who made an immediate impact, bursting down the wing to almost sneak the ball past Brad Friedel. Some time later and Villa played their card: John Carew - who is apparently bigger than me and you (but not as big as Nikola Zigic) - who pretty much did nothing but win one header. Trump card made... trump card failed. Blues nearly won it at the death, but Nikola Zigic couldn't get the ball past Brad Friedel, and the game finished 0-0 - with Villa fans sneaking out the ground, and a small number booing. And they say they're not fickle.

For Blues, it was a relief not to lose and a relief that they stopped their neighbours getting 'the magnificent 7' victories on the bounce. But what also came out of that game for them, was pride. For 90 minutes, they stood toe to toe with their rivals who proclaim themselves as far superior, however after that showing, you can tell that the gap between the clubs is not as far as some Villa fans would lead you to believe.

For Villa, it was a disappointing result, which although they didn't lose, being at home and playing as poorly and negatively as they did, they will not be a happy bunch tonight. It was 0-0 today, but the deadlock must be broken in the Carling Cup, where the two teams meet at St. Andrews in pretty much exactly a months time. And Blues are ready now. Believe me.

It would've been nice to see Craig Gardner reeling off in celebration in front of the Holte End in the 93rd minute, but, i'll settle for a point. And that's what we got.

Full Time: Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City

so much pride

i'm alright with it now. losing, i mean. if we had played badly i would've been over it straight away, but the fact we gave everything and then some, and the fact we had the better chances to win the game made it harder to accept the fact we'd lost. every single player did the club proud today.

just over two years ago, we walked off that pitch at villa park with our heads held low, not believeing we'd just lost by that considerable amount. today we walked off with our heads held high (some people ran off giving the w*nker sign but that's another, quite hilarious, story)

the first half was pretty even. each team had their attacks and blues seemed to be comfortable and contained. they were a different team to what we saw last weekend and it was clear they'd all been saving something for this match. barry ferguson played his role brilliantly again, picking up the ball and always out the right passes, you just cannot fault the man. ridgewell kept carew under his control in the first half and the team was working as a unit of eleven and they were keeping villa under wraps.

for the majority of the game it was the story of two keepers. each making brilliant saves to keep their side from going behind. in the first half hart made a few good saves and one excellent save to tip a shot over the cross bar. and then friedel also making instinctive saves, especially when richard dunne made abit of a mess of things and seb larsson found the loose ball and shot first time. a few minutes later, craig gardner latched onto a bouncing ball, forcing friedel to make another great save. if you wanted me to pick a team that shaded the first half i'd say villa - just about - did. in terms of possession definitly, but blues were in the game, there was no doubt about that.



half time: aston villa 0-0 birmingham city

blues came out of the blocks very quickly in the second half, focring pressure almost straight away on the villa goal. barry ferguson and james mcfadden were both on hand to give blues their best chance of the game - the ball was fed through to jerome who lifted it up and friedel's face was the only thing in the way of blues going 1-0 up. a few minutes later blues got a corner, and an unmarked ridgewell would've given the away side the lead, were it not for stuart downing making an off-the-line clearance.

on the 67th minute a lofting blues freekick played cleverly to roger johnson, who headed the ball into the box from the far right, found craig gardner, who powered a shot that was blocked by several villa players. the rebound came to bowyer, who shot straight at goal, only for him to also be denied by a resilient villa defence.

emile heskey must of thought he'd get one over on his old team when he ran through on goal, and ran over to celebrate to the holte end, only to look back to see his shot being tipped wide by joe hart.

it looked as if blues had done enough to go home with a truly well deserved point, but that wasn't the case. and on the 83rd minute, gabby agbonlahor ran through on goal, and was tackled strongly by roger johnson in the area. to the dismay of the birmingahm outfield players, the referee pointed to the spot.

my first reaction was: that is a penalty. but on sky showing the replay, it was clear roger johnson got the ball, and his sliding tackle also brought down the man. i'm not going to go on about it, join hate groups for the referee, because i do not believe he could of seen johnson get the ball, it was just a cruel way to lose a derby we deserved so much more from. james milner, who hadn't had his best gamein a villa shirt, put all his bottled up anger he'd been collecting throughout the game into that shot, and fired home from the spot kick.

and that was it. there was pretty much nothing blues could do, although they had a few more chances, which were again blocked by the villa defence, after a series of james mcfadden's long throw ins.

i'm not going to make excuses for blues, i'm not going to lambast the referee - roger johnson, seb larsson and alex mcleish have done that for me already - but what i am going to say is that was not a deserved three points for villa, and they really should count themselves lucky that they managed to pull that off. a newly promoted birmingham team gave a top four chasing team a run for their money on sunday, and pride was applied in every single player's performance for blues. they were nothing short of outstanding, and to be done so wrongly in a derby, especially when we've played like that, will always leave you feeling bitter. always.

footnote: stephen carr running along the north stand giving them the w*nker sign gave him legend status. he saw the opportunity, he took the opportunity - thank you for doing what every one of us have wanted to do. villa fans call it 'stupid' we call it passion.

we've come a long way in two years

next up: burnley at home - 01/05/10 (live on sky sports 1, kick off 12:45)

a letter

dear players and coaching staff of birmingham city football club

this season has been one of the best in a long time. you know it, we know it, everyone knows it. we've broken club records, been on an amazing unbeaten run, and got within touching distance of wembley. we confirmed safety from relegation by the end of february and we've been in the top half of the table for months on end now.

every single one of you, the players and staff, has contributed to what a great and successful season we have had, you have all excelled yourselves, and you have surpassed everyones expectations of our club. everyone had us certs for relegation at the start of the season, and now look what we've achieved. they've certainly all stepped back and realised the potential of newly promoted clubs.

but, with three games left, we as fans ask just one more thing of you to top off the amazing season we have already had, and that is beat the villa tomorrow.

i don't care how you do it, i don't care if the ball deflects in off cameron jerome's arse in the first minute and we cling on until full time. i don't care if, like in the liverpool game, liam ridgewell's penis guides the ball into the net. i don't care. all us blues fans are asking for, is that you replace five years of hurt with 90 minutes of joy. the other two games we have left after that? none of us care about them right now. all we ask, is for you to do what you've done all season, again, and prove everyone wrong. again.

put your bodies on the line, run your f*cking b*llocks off, do everything that you can to ensure when that full time whistle goes tomorrow, it's the little pocket of 2,300 blues fans celebrating their heads off. and 45,000+ claret and blue w*nkers booing their team off the pitch.

good luck, we know you can do it.

love from, fans of birmingham city football club

sunday: derby day

when the fixtures come out at the start of the season, i always look to see who are first game is, then i look to see when we play aston villa. it's always like this. i was at school, luckily in ICT, when the 2009/2010 fixtures came out. to see we had manchester united away first was a big one, but the last time we were in the premier league we had chelsea away so i think the fixture man just doesn't like us much! i then looked and saw when we played villa; at home in september, then away in april - that was the one that stuck out the most. it was only three games 'till the end of the season when we would play them.

at the start of the season many people, mainly villa fans, mentioned how villa could relegate us if they beat us in the game in april. and thats why i was worried about playing them then, knowing our fate could be decided on that game. but, less than a year on, we're sitting comfortable in the top half of the table and safe by february, and although we lost the reverse fixture 0-1 in september there is no reason to think why we can't win this game and make amends for the cruel defeat we suffered in the last five minutes of the game at st. andrews.

it's been five years since blues last picked up any points against villa, and blues will be looking to restore a bit of pride to the blue half of the city with a win, or even a draw, when the two teams meet on sunday. blues seem to have gone into 'holiday mode' of late (although the players insist they haven't!) not picking up a win, home or away, for two, nearly three, months of football. but as 'form goes at the window' in derby games, it's sure to be a much tighter fixtures than the last one played out by the two teams at villa park (but we won't mention that score line. ever again.)


villa go into the game with a slim chance of fourth place and champions league football next season, and with spurs playing manchester united on saturday, and manchester city playing arsenal away, villa have a chance to go fifth, and joint fourth, (with just goal difference separating them and spurs) with a win, should the other results go their way of corse.


back in september the game was a very close encounter, with villa getting the only goal of the game in the 85th minute. although villa have the home advantage this time, it is good for blues fans to note the team that stood toe to toe for 85 minutes of the reverse fixture back in september isn't even the team that completed the amazing unbeaten run. players such as queudrue, parnaby, tainio and o'connor have now been replaced by ridgewell, dann, gardner and jerome. it is clear to see that this time around, we have a stronger, more capable team. but only if they apply themselves and do what we know they can do, what we saw in the unbeaten run, will they get a result out of this. not many teams go to villa park and get a win, so a draw would be brilliant for birmingham.


with nothing left in the league to play for, blues, go into the game with one aim: to put one over on their nearest, but not dearest, rivals. villa on the other hand have a lot still to play for, and are looking for a win to keep the dream of fourth alive.


and whats up for grabs for the two teams, other than pride and bragging rights? for villa: a slim chance, but still a chance, of fourth place and champions league football next season. and for blues: a chance to stop them.

kick off: sunday 25th april, 12:00 - live on sky sports 1

(a bit of plugging for you there sky, no need to thank me!)