We're So Happy Following The Blues

A fantastic end to the season with a victory over Championship Champions Reading on Saturday was made even better by results elsewhere going our way, meaning Birmingham City finished fourth in the league and have the major advantage of playing at home in the second leg. Goals from Adam Rooney and Wade Elliott sealed a well-deserved three points that just saw Blues finish above Blackpool, their opponents for the two-legged play-off semi-final, in what has been an incredible season that isn’t over just yet.

A strong crowd of over 25,000 turned out to see the Blues march on to victory, helped by a following of 4,000 Reading fans who bought just as many inflatables to celebrate their return to the Premier League after a four year absence. But it was Blues who were the ones celebrating when man of the match Nathan Redmond put on a delightful performance and helped to set up the first goal, sliding the ball into Rooney’s path who scored after just five minutes of being on the pitch, after replacing Nikola Zigic who limped off with an injury. A well-earned lead for the side who stayed on top for most of the first half.

The away side almost got themselves back into it in the second half when Pablo Ibanez climbed over Alex Pearce and a penalty was awarded. But confident Colin Doyle smartly saved Ian Harte’s penalty; not the first time this season the Ireland born shot-stopper has stepped up to the mark and saved Blues.

Blues were then awarded with their own penalty just ten minutes later for a blatant hand ball. After some discussion Wade Elliott grabbed the ball and took the spot kick, sealing victory for Blues with just fifteen minutes left to play. Another penalty was than awarded but this time Elliott couldn’t get the better of Adam Federici, just before the full time whistle was blown.

As Reading players and fans celebrated what has been a mammoth season for them, Blues were also in the party mood after news came through of a 2-2 draw at The Den, meaning they had finished 4th in the league.

With off the field issues and a cloud of financial uncertainty over the club since last summer, the team has done remarkably well to pull off a fantastic season all round. From the group stages of the Europa League, to a marvelous FA Cup run – most notably drawing at Stamford Bridge – as well as a steady league run where they peaked at just the right time to finish in the play-off places, Chris Hughton deserves all the plaudits he gets for getting everyone to pull together in the right direction.

On a shoe string budget – and that’s seriously shoe string; the only money spend was on transfer deadline day for Ibanez and Elliott – Hughton and his staff have managed to exceeded expectations and put together a team oozing with attacking finesse and astute defending. In fact, it was our goal difference which helped us mathematically seal the play-offs against Brighton last week: when was the last time our goal difference helped us do anything positive?

It has been a thoroughly enjoyable season for all; I can’t think of a season where there’s been next to nothing to moan or complain about, and that’s solely due to the wonderful football we are watching and the committed players who are doing everything to try and get this club back in the Premier League. I have no idea where the club will be this time next month but you can bet all the money you have that they will fight for promotion, like they have been doing all season, to the very last. Starting with an away trip to Bloomfield Road on Friday, where earlier on in the season Blues managed a 2-2 draw with a late Nikola Zigic goal earning his side a deserved point.

The play-offs are the cruelest way to lose but the best way to get promoted; so let’s take a chance and see if we can have another memorable date at Wembley.

Battle of the Blues

Last night’s FA Cup replay between Birmingham City and Chelsea was perhaps overshadowed by the sacking of Andre-Villas Boas prior to the game, and as such not as much focus was put on the match itself. After a toughly contested battle at the Bridge in which the Championship side stood toe to toe with the Premier League elite for the whole of the ninety minutes, the Blues from Birmingham had every right to be confident going into yesterday evening’s fixture. But in the battle of the Blues it was the London contingent who came out smiling.

An injury-hit Birmingham fielded a weakened team from their weekend’s draw against Derby County. Midfielder Guirane N’Daw was drafted in at left back, whilst out and out striker Adam Rooney played in more of a winger’s role. Chelsea again fielded a team fit to grace the Premier League, just like they had at Stamford Bridge where the teams drew 1-1, with Petr Cech, Fernando Torres, Saloman Kalou and Gary Cahill just some of the big name players in the starting line-up.

But once the game kicked off it was a different story. Again, Blues were Chelsea’s equals: frustrating the away side and playing the better football in the opening periods of the game. Nikola Zigic’s sublime flick of the ball set up Wade Elliott early on, but the midfielder was unable to take advantage of some outstanding play. Chelsea’s defence were put on red alert soon after, with Zigic again getting in on the act; this time setting up Nathan Redmond who, on his eighteenth birthday, was dispossessed before he could unleash a shot on goal.

After some half-chances for Chelsea that were coped with well by the Blues defence, the forty minute mark saw the home side come inches from getting their noses in front. Jordon Mutch’s free kick met the head of Curtis Davies, who’s header was flicked goal wards by Zigic. The ball looked to be heading for the roof of the net until Cech pulled off a fingertip save to deny the Serbian. The tables then turned, this time with Chelsea having a brilliant chance to break the deadlock, but Torres shot horribly wide and was suitably jeered by the Tilton for his simply awful effort.

Roberto Di Matteo’s half time team talk certainly worked wonders as Chelsea came out of the blocks second half with intent to wrap the game up early on. They had break through not long after, with Juan Mata finally getting the better of Colin Doyle and putting his side in front.

Minutes later and they had their second, this time Raul Meireles firing an unstoppable shot past Doyle who had no hope. Blues looked like they were going to be on the wrong end of a big score-line, and it got worse when N’Daw’s trip on Torres gave Chelsea a spot kick. But Doyle was the shot stopping hero again, foiling Mata like he had at the Bridge and giving Blues hope that they may get something out of the game.

With time left Blues produced attack after attack. Hughton threw caution to the wind and opted for three at the back, in the hope that his side would get back into the game. Their best chance of the game fell to Mutch as substitute Chris Burke fed him a perfect ball but, one on one with the keeper, Mutch fired agonizingly over the goal.

And two nil it finished, but Blues can admire their courageous efforts against one of the Premier League’s top teams. All focus is now solely on promotion, with the chase heading to relegation strugglers Coventry City on Saturday. Blues, although in the top six, may find themselves outside of it come match-day with Brighton and Cardiff due to play each other later on this evening.

"Birmingham, from the Championship, did their club proud"

The mid-week game between promotion pushers Birmingham City and Hull City was well-matched, toughly fought and, ultimately, it came down to two great defences not letting much past them. A point is a point, and it was time to turn attentions elsewhere: to the FA Cup tie at Chelsea.

If there is ever a good time to play a team like Chelsea, it’s now: a certain air of mutiny is about the Bridge, with manager Andre Villas-Boas certainly not a fans’ favourite. Yet, compare them to high-flying Blues; a team who are all pulling in the same direction and a manager who has a strong relationship with the fans, yesterday’s cup tie turned into a battle of spirit and guile: and if anyone came out on top of the 1-1 draw, it was Birmingham City.

Backed by a loud following, it was the away side who surprisingly drew first blood in the tie. Although Chelsea had the majority of possession, which was to be expected, Blues saw the counter attack as a weapon in their arsenal and their second corner of the game, thanks to some lacklustre defending from the London Blues, meant David Murphy fired his side into the lead with a well-struck shot.

The home fans were stunned; the away fans, all 3,000 of them, quite the opposite. Still in delirium and after celebrations that were as loud and as chaotic as scenes from a few months ago in Brugge, Blues shot themselves in the foot just two minutes later when Wade Elliott gave away a penalty.

Colin Doyle, who was dropped in 2007 after a poor game at Stamford Bridge, was completely in the zone. He resembled Joe Hart as he shouted at his players and waved his arms about, using distraction tactics to warn off Juan Mata. And it worked. Mata’s well struck penalty was equaled by the right hand of Doyle who pushed the shot on to the post before it was eventually cleared, much to the delight of the Birmingham fans to the left of that goal who celebrated the save as if it were another goal for their own team.

A resilient Blues held off the Chelsea possession and pressure, and played some brilliant football their selves at times. Morgaro Gomis in midfield particularly impressed, breaking up play and brilliantly slotting into a midfield that he doesn’t often get into as if he played there every week. It is a testament to manager Chris Hughton that his players can so easily do this; he can utilize squad rotation and make it effective, which is why our Europa league campaign and our continuing FA Cup run this season have been so successful.

An extremely agitated Chelsea began to get restless as the game wore on, with fans growing ever impatient with manager AVB. But, the first time Chelsea actually got the ball on the wing and sent in an inch perfect cross, was the first time Chelsea looked like beating Doyle – and they did. Daniel Sturridge rose and curled in a beautiful header, beating the Ireland shot stopper and relieving some of the pressure off the shoulders of his manager.

After some nervy final moments and a late Nathan Redmond chance that he should have done better with, the full time whistle was blown and was met with boos from the home fans but, in the corner of the Shed End, a magnificent noise erupted as the travelling Bluenoses reveled in a fantastic performance by their weakened Championship side against a Chelsea team fit to grace the Premier League. Blues fans saluted first players and then manager, serenading the latter who has now lead Blues on a fourteen match unbeaten run and made sure their name is in the pot for the FA Cup quarter final draw for the third season in a row.

Although we now have an extremely congested fixture list, which will become almost unmanageable if we beat Chelsea and have to play a quarter final tie and have another match postponed, no one is going to say no to a replay against one of the Premier League’s top teams in England’s greatest cup competition.

Progression

After a less than exciting 0-0 draw at St. Andrews, last night saw a tightly contested FA Cup third round replay between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City, ultimately ending the Championship side coming out on top courtesy of a single, scrappy goal scored by Wade Elliott. In a game of few chances it was Blues who out-shone the home side, playing the more attractive football in front of a seriously depleted crowd of just over 10,000 at the Molineux, and overall it was a deserved win for Blues. Here are a few points to consider from yesterday evenings tie:

The Goal
Both ties proved to be lacking serious goal mouth action so it was probably a given that the first, and only, goal would come from a goal-mouth scramble in which lacklustre defending allowed Elliot to first hit the post and then score from a few yards out from the rebound. On reflection it was probably a deserved goal; and there can be little complaints for the Wolves faithful. It was also an earned goal for Elliot; the former-Burnley man had a comfortable and tidy game in midfield, and staked a case to be included in the starting eleven on Saturday when Blues host Watford in the league.

Adam Rooney
Playing up front on his own, Rooney received little joy last night and there were plenty of calls for him to be replaced by either Marlon King or Nikola Zigic, who had been rested for the tie. But with that in mind, he did well to make himself a handful for the Wolves defence for the whole ninety minutes, and had a brilliant chance in the first half to put Blues ahead however; going one on one with Dorus De Vries, before taking too many touches and getting tangled in the legs of George Elokobi who arrived on the scene just in time.

Case for the defence
Curtis Davies and Steven Caldwell, two essential cogs in Chris Hughton’s well-oiled defensive machine again proved their worth; keeping Kevin Doyle, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and even Steven Fletcher, coming on as a late second half substitute, at bay. Again they coped with everything that was thrown at them and kept a second consecutive, and extremely deserved, clean sheet. The man in the goals behind them, Colin Doyle, after impressing in the draw against Wolves the first time around, regained his place in the side and showed just why Chris Hughton continues to install faith in the long-serving Blues player. Making comfortable saves when needed, Doyle wasn’t called upon all too much last night, but a sign of a good goalkeeper is keeping concentration: and when the rest of his defence stopped and called for offside, he kept his head in the game and pulled off a magnificent double save late on to deny Wolves an equalising goal – and it was just as well, as the offside flag was never risen.

Overall
It was a resilient and ultimately deserved victory for Blues, whose 2,300 fans who made the short journey to the Black Country went home happy. Confidence is on a complete high now, after consecutive away victories, consecutive clean sheets, and seven goals scored in the last two games. With 36 games played and still more to go, it’s going to be an extremely exciting end to the season for Hughton’s team, who have a real chance of getting into the play-offs, and are in with a shout of progressing further in the FA Cup; with Sheffield United of League One waiting in the next round.

First Europe Points

Obafemi Martins in the 89th minute of the Carling Cup Final. With a little help from Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny, the Nigerian striker made history with that famous goal and sent us soaring into the Europa League. That’s why we are where we are this evening; in Europe. Winning away.

Against the champions of the Slovenian league we appeared to fare well in the opening stages of the game. Marlon King playing up front caused problems early doors, with his headed shot from captain for the night Liam Ridgewell’s cross falling into the arms of the Maribor shot stopper. In the ascendancy early on Blues found themselves with another great chance, after Wade Elliott’s deep corner found the head of Steven Caldwell, and Ridgewell was involved again however his weak header fell straight to Jasmin Handanovic.
The home side began to get a foot-hold in the game however their attacking threat, although prominent, was handled with well by the Blues back-line and covering midfielders, namely Keith Fahey, with his first start since returning from injury, and Jean Beausejour and Morgaro Gomis who assisted with defensive duties too. But the resurgent defence almost conceded eighteen minutes into the game with goalkeeper Colin Doyle, getting a chance in the side after his impressive display against Manchester City, diving brilliantly to his right to keep the game at 0-0.

But luck was to change for the Ireland-born shot stopper when he failed to clear a bobbling back-pass from Jonathan Spector, playing at right-back in the absence of Captain Stephen Carr. He watched in agony as the ball bounced over his foot and into the path of Dalibor Volas who comfortably slotted the ball home to give the home side an undeserved lead, to give the excellent Maribor fans something to really cheer about.

Severely dampening Blues’ spirits, Maribor played with an air of confidence for the majority of the first half, however they still struggled to break Blues down further. Likewise, the Championship side were frustratingly kept at bay, with Chris Burke’s powerful effort being saved by Handanovic, and Spector’s cross into the box also being saved by Maribor’s goalkeeper. Beausejour particularly impressed down the wing causing problems, but still not being able to cause Maribor any distress.

The second half continued in the same manner with Blues unable to break the Slovenian outfit down. That was until just after the half hour mark, in a fantastic move by the away side to put them on level terms. King slipped a perfectly timed ball into the path of Burke who set off on one of his runs which finished in the ball ending up nestled in the back of the net and the Blues fans going mental to the left of the goal.

Nikola Zigic was immediately introduced for King who up until his involvement in the goal had no joy at all in the second half. The tables were then turned in what was previously a more even game. Blues were playing with confidence again and Wade Elliott almost put the Blues ahead but was denied by Handanovic, who was on top form. But he didn’t give up there. With just ten minutes left on the clock the man who sent Burnely into the Premier League hit a magnificent strike, which crept past the keeper and into the corner of the net to put the determined Blues side 2-1 up.

It was a waiting game then as the clock was run down by the away side, and although the mobile Maribor front line continued to press, Blues remained resilient. Finally, the referee blew the full time whistle and a massive roar could be heard from the one corner of the ground that housed the travelling Brummies. A brilliant turn around, a fantastic away victory… and all in Europe!

Just seven months ago we were cheering a Carling Cup Winning goal, and tonight we cheer three points in Europe. It might be a completely different team with new management, but it still feels just as sweet and still feels just as unbelievable.



Full Time: NK Maribor 1-2 BLUES
Goal Scorers: Volas (29) Burke (64) Elliott (79)
Star Man: They all put a shift in but I was particularly impressed with Jean Beausejour who more than made up for poor performances in previous games Nex Up: Nottingham Forest away - Championship

Victory In Defeat

I’ll admit that I approached this fixture as doom merchant. I was adamant Man City would put at least five past us – or even more. But I’m always happy to be proved wrong and as was the case last night: we didn’t win, but we came away from the Etihad Stadium far from disgraced and embarrassed; in fact we exited the competition which we did so well in last year with our heads held high.

We held on fifteen minutes before City eventually broke the deadlock, and with more accurate and astute defending I’d say we could have prevented the ball falling to Owen Hargreaves to score on his debut. I’m not sure where people get the impression from of Hargreaves being a poor player. His injury list is nothing short of disastrous and would put most clubs off the idea of having ‘sicknote’ in their team but, and I’m sure most Manchester United fans would agree, he is a very good player, and a goal of such quality last night adds weight to this argument.

Even with eleven changes City managed to field Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Kolo Toure; something we can only dream of being able to do, but this second string had control of the first half and doubled their advantage before half time, this time everybody’s favourite live-wire Balotelli finishing off a lovely move to give City more than an edge in the game.

It could have all gone downhill from here and the floodgates could have well and truly been opened, but all credit to Blues as they fought back second half, having spells of possession and chances on goal. Jean Beausejour, Guirane N’Daw, Chris Burke and David Murphy, amongst others, all had chances to make a game of it. But it stayed at 2-0 and we can consider it a moral victory, and definitely take positives out of the game.

The first positive obviously being that we didn’t lie down and take a beating. We fought, and because of that we didn’t disgrace ourselves nor did we look like we couldn’t be bothered. Although we don’t really need to progress in the Carling Cup – not only have we been there, done that won the trophy, but we already have a minimum of 55 fixtures to fulfill this season - it is true that every game you play in you should want to win. And the players last night showed real intent to get something out the game, and very nearly did.

Another positive from the game was the return of Nikola Zigic, who will prove to be a real asset in the Championship especially with his height which is bound to cause problems. This has now bolstered our attack meaning we now have Chris Wood, Adam Rooney and Marlon King – as well as youngster Akwasi Asante – all vying for a starting place.

We can draw on another positive after Colin Doyle’s performance between the sticks, namely after his double save to deny first Tevez and then Toure after the rebound. Curtis Davies is another player who deserves the plaudits, after another expert defensive display which even saw him add his name to the score sheet for the second time this season, after his first-half overhead kick was saved on the line.

So 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium isn’t too bad considering the circumstances, especially as a lot of Premier League teams this season will leave Manchester after a much heavier deafer than what we witnessed last night. Credit to the team for doing well, and another positive we can take is that we can now concentrate on the league and of course the Europa League.
The memories of the Carling Cup last season were never going to be repeated, but they’ll last us a lifetime anyway.


Full Time: Manchester City 2-0 BLUES
Goal Scorers: Hargreaves (17) Balotelli (38)
Star Man: Curtis Davies
Next Up: Barnsley at home - Championship

Car Crash

When you concede in under ten minutes away from home it's always going to be a struggle, especially when it's against an in-form Liverpool side. And then when you go 2-0 down in 20 minutes, losing your goalkeeper in the process, you start to realise it might not be your day. By the time the fifth, and final, goal went in you really, really knew it wasn't our day.

The first by Maxi was handed to him on a plate when Foster failed to hold onto a fierce shot from Spearing and Liverpool went 1-0 up after just seven minutes of play. Never to be shot down though, and to their credit, Blues responded with a large amount of possession but, failing to do anything with it, were knocked back again when Liverpool went on a counter attack and after various blocks the ball eventually ended up in the back of the next courtesy of Dirk Kuyt, leaving Ben Foster in a heap on the floor. The England International played on for another 20 minutes to try and shake the knock off, but in the end had to be replaced by Colin Doyle just before half time.


Carr and Larsson did some good running down the wing in the first half but none of their crosses met anyone in the area, and all in all it was a thoroughly disappointing first half for Blues.

At the beginning of the second half Blues had a handful of chances, with Fahey coming close on a couple of occasions. But again, Blues failed to create with the possession they had and the travelling fans were willing them to just get the ball into the box - especially aiming this at Hleb who seemed to want to pass it into the net instead of shooting from a good possession - you don't play for Arsenal yet!

Liverpool struck again on 66 minutes with Maxi getting his second of the game. Suarez wasn't picked up and was able to loft a lovely ball into the area from the by-line and Maxi was on hand to make it 3-0 to the home side.


If the match wasn't over by then, just under ten minutes later it was. Suarez, again the creator, found Maxi in space and his pass struck the Argentinian. His first time shot was saved by Doyle, but he managed to get the rebound to complete his hat trick.

Blues were in search of a consolation, and with the away fans singing "we only want one goal!" substitutes Bentley and Phillips both produced saves from Reina, but neither could find a way past to Spaniard.

Joe Cole was on hand to pile yet more misery on Blues, scoring Liverpool's fifth goal in the 84th minute, with a shot that sneaked its way under Doyle in the Blues goal to complete a frustrating afternoon for the visiting side.


Conceding eight goals in the space of two goals and only scoring one - which was a penalty - does not making pretty reading (or watching!) but a win next Sunday against Wolves and all will be forgiven!

Full Time: Liverpool 5-0 Birmingham City

The Masters of the Comeback

The game seemed like a real anti-climax at first. It's not that not any of us wanted to lose, it's just that the game seemed like it didn't matter as much as everything else going on, i.e. a relegation battle in the league and trip to Wembley in the Carling Cup. Nevertheless, McLeish fielded quite an attacking team, showing he was determined to win the tie and keep up Blues' good record in both domestic cups this season.

Surprisingly we started the better side, which isn't something we see too often. Just a few minutes in and Bentley bombed down the left hand side and whipped in a ball which Zigic met and headed agonisingly wide. Kevin Phillips, getting a rare start, also came very close to giving Blues the lead; but it was the away side who drew first blood in the tie. Marlon King picked up the ball on the right and with Ridgewell lying on the floor with a head injury, he was unmarked and able to have a great shot on goal which sailed past the Blues keeper Doyle and sent the 6,000 travelling Coventry fans crazy.

The Championship side found their feet in the game then, and began to take more control in the tie despite Blues still posing that great attacking threat with Bentley and Beausejour running the wings. Coventry's second of the game came thanks to a McSheffrey corner, a strong Richard Wood header and some questionable Blues defending.

But even at 2-0 down you felt that Blues were going to at least take the tie to a replay. It's just the Blues way. And Bentley brought the home side right back into it when 25 yards out he unleashed an unstoppable shot that looped over the head of goalkeeper Westwood and stunned the rest of the Coventry team. Half time, 2-1, and game most definitely on.


The turn of the half saw Blues completely go for it. You sensed an equaliser straight away, and it almost came courtesy of Beausejour; after a signature ball into the box by Bentley, all Beausejour had to do was head it in from a few yards out, but the ball skimmed off his head and went agonisingly wide of the post. However, this didn't stop Blues, and with 67 minutes gone of the game Nikola Zigic did some superb battling on the right hand side and was able to get the ball to Hleb before being knocked to the floor. Hleb took the ball on and crossed into the area and his pin-point ball found Parnaby who was on hand to equalise for the home side; finishing off a really good move by Blues.


On the up now, Blues just kept on attacking. Kevin Phillips had numerous shots on target throughout the game yet couldn't find the back of the net... that was until the 74th minute when he popped up with the winning goal. After being denied by Westwood, Blues won a corner, and when the ball landed at Phillips' feet in the area, you could have put money on him finishing: and he did. 3-2 Blues, and try as they might the Coventry players just couldn't find a way back.

Hleb had a great game in midfield and although he over did it at times, his attacking play was brilliant and he was a great asset to the side today. As was evergreen Kevin Phillips, who even managed to play the whole ninety minutes, getting into key positions and then popping up with the winning goal as well. The whole team seemed very assured today, and despite going two goals down never really looked like they were in trouble. In the end, it could have been 4 or 5-2; It was a great team performance second half. Well done Blues.

Full Time: Birmingham City 3-2 Coventry City