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.

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.

We Should Be Used To This By Now

A day later and it still feels like we lost. Letting leads slip away from us is something we should be used to after games against Derby and Middlesbrough this season, but you’d be forgiven for thinking we had finally won away for the first time since February when Chris Wood scored in the 88th minute to put the Blues 2-1 up. Evidently, as it always is with Birmingham: it wasn’t as simple as that.

With the opening exchanges labored, chances were few and far between. The host’s first chance of the game fell to Mark Yeates who fired a shot goal wards which he saw tipped over by the fingers of Boaz Myhill. However to the surprise of the home – and away – fans, a goalkick was awarded.

Blues saw plenty of possession in the first forty-five minutes but struggled to create an opening or any chances of note. Nathan Redmond started on the wing again however was marked out the game with two Watford players on him almost all the time. Chris Burke also struggled to create on the opposite wing, and Blues seemed to have travelled to Watford with a lack of ideas.

That, however, changed just before half time when the deadlock was broken by the visitors. Jean Beausejour’s corner found the head of David Murphy who cushioned the ball down to Adam Rooney who knocked the ball into the net from close range, allowing the already loud travelling support to make their voices heard further. It was almost 2-0 moments later but Burke’s headed goal after a long throw from Murphy was ruled out after scorer of the first goal, Rooney, committed a foul on keeper Scott Loach.

As the second half began Blues looked comfortable on the ball but still lacked the threatening, cutting edge. Watford were very much obvious in attack, and the solid Blues defence coped well with everything thrown at them. However after expert saves by Myhill for the majority of the second half, he was beaten by a Marvin Sordell shot from the area after 80 minutes, and after Blues looking so comfortable the score was now 1-1.

Ever the battlers, Blues fought back, and it was Chris Wood who looked to have got the winner with his second goal in as many games. The on-loan Baggies forward received a cutting pass from Beausejour, and made no mistake of finding the net before running over to the jubilant 1,400 travelling fans.

But in a cruel twist, ex-Blue Martin Taylor netted in the 91st minute after Sordell’s shot was palmed back into danger by Myhill, and Taylor was gifted a goal and his team were gifted a point, and the Blues players, fans and management alike looked on in horror as three points became one.


Full Time: Watford 2-2 BLUES
Goal Scorers: Rooney (39), Sordell (80), Wood (88), Taylor (90+1)
Star Man: The fans: didn’t stop singing all game, excellent support
Next Up: Millwall at home - Championship

A Tale Of Two Halves

A Jekyll and Hyde performance from Blues yesterday at the Riverside saw them lose a 1-0 lead and leave defeated and deflated by Middlesbrough. Just three days after our first European outing of the season, eight out of eleven of those who started in Madeira began the match on Teeside; however a bright and impressive first forty-five lay ahead for the vi sting side.

Wingers Chris Burke and Nathan Redmond caused the Boro side problems in the opening stages, with Redmond coming close with a freekick and Burke being involved in a move that almost broke the deadlock; weaving his way past the defence he sent in a dangerous low ball which the outstretched leg of Adam Rooney just failed to reach.

Middlesbrough had their fair share of the ball as well with their best chance of the half coming after Keith Fahey, back in the side after overcoming a slight niggle, lost the ball in midfield. Capitalising on the gift Marvin Emnes, who has impressed in the three games so far this campaign, ran at the Birmingham defence and produced a great shot - matched equally by the strong save of Boaz Myhill in the Blues goal.

After enjoying the afternoon on Teeside so far and having their fair share of possession, Blues finally broke the deadlock - from the penalty spot, which is a rare occurrence in the life of Birmingham City. Boro goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, on loan from Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, brought down Burke in the box and the referee made no hesitation when pointing straight to the penalty spot. Rooney duly stepped up and hit a hard shot right into the left hand corner for his first goal of the season.

Blues went in at the break 1-0 to the good with an impressive first half display under their belts, leaving the near 600 fans who had made the long journey up suitably happy with what they had seen so far. But it was Boro who had the last laugh.

A minute into the second forty-five Curtis Davies made a stupid tackle on the edge of the area, and Barry Robson stepped up to send the freekick straight to the back of the net and to put the home side on level terms.

Boro were then on the up, and capitalising on a tired Blues side they went ahead on the 70th minute, with Faris Haroun narrowly beating the offside trap to calmly put his side 2-1 up. The game was dead and buried a few minutes later by a brilliant 25-yard strike from Malaury Martin which left the Blues side wondering where it had all gone wrong.

With an encouraging first half display and some lovely football being played it is clear what Chris Hughton is trying to do and, as we the fans asked for this kind of football, we should give him all our support - and all our time too. On a budge of zero pounds and zero pence and an already paper thin squad, Hughton should be given time by the fans and after three games we shouldn't be getting on his back. All we can do is look to the next game.

Image: Bcfc.com

Full Time: Middlesbrough 3-1 BLUES
Goal Scorers: Rooney (36), Robson (48), Haroun (69), Martin (72)
Star Man: On the first half, Chris Burke and Nathan Redmond who worked tirelessly on the wings.
Next Up: C.D Nacional - Europa League play off second leg

We're On Our Way..

After an encouraging yet an ultimately unfruitful performance last week against Derby County, Blues were out to pick up the first points of the new season this weekend in the ‘local derby’ against Coventry City.

The pristine pitch helped with the style of play Chris Hughton has introduced to the new-look Birmingham side, whom kept the ball on the ground for the majority of the game, more than delighting a crowd of over 19,000 at St. Andrews. The 4-5-1 formation that was utilized far too often by Alex McLeish was used again by Hughton today, however due to a striker crisis he can definitely be excused. Chris Wood began as the lone striker today with Adam Rooney on the bench, alongside Scott Dann who is presumably being wrapped up in cotton wool to prevent injury after interest from Arsenal during the week.

Blues began at a steady pace, with their first goal-scoring opportunity coming just minutes into the game when Morgao Gomis had his shot blocked by the Coventry defence after an impressive run by Chris Burke and a quick lay-off by lone striker Wood. Continuing to press, Blues kept the ball on the deck and the St. Andrews faithful looked on, enjoying the flowing football being played out in front of them.

After conceding two goals last week, Boaz Myhill more than made up for it with his performance this afternoon with impressive first half saves, most notably from Sammy Clingan’s freekick with half an hour played, and then from former blue Gary McSheffrey let rip a powerful shot which was again saved by Myhill in the Blues goal.

Although Blues seemed to be able to create chances, there was a clear inability to finish said chances, and many players seemed scared to shoot when presented the opportunity, and so the two teams went in at the break with a clean sheet.

As the second half got underway Chris Wood was presented the best chance of the game so far when Jean Beausejour sent in a low, hard ball which bounced unforgivingly for Wood who slid in and watched in agony as the ball flew over the goal. From here Blues became livelier, with Stephen Carr and Burke linking up well on the right hand side and causing problems for Coventry’s defence, who had up until now been able to cope with the attacking threat presented by Blues.

Morgaro Gomis produced what the Blues fans had been willing their players to do throughout the game –a shot on the edge of the area. However, Joe Murphy in the Coventry net was able to save the powerful shot. With Blues on the up, Hughton made his first – and only – change of the game, keeping the 4-5-1 formation and replacing Wood with Adam Rooney, who impressed instantly, chasing down the ball and aiming to close the Coventry defence down.

Moments later, Birmingham got the breakthrough they had been hoping for thanks to substitute Rooney. Liam Ridgewell launched in a cross which Rooney met with his head and the ball agonizingly hit the post, with many Blues fans thinking Rooney had broken the deadlock.Nevertheless, quick thinking allowed the Irishman to turn and place the ball into the path of Keith Fahey, who made no mistake in blasting the ball home on 72 minutes to give his side the lead, more than making up for a couple of errors made earlier in the game by the Republic of
Ireland international.

Blues saw the rest of the game out rather comfortably and put their first points of the season on the board. Although there was slight reluctance in front of goal, no one can be too disheartened about three points, a clean sheet and an impressive display by all. Just like you need to win your home games in the Premier League to survive relegation, in the Championship it is equally important to be beating as many teams as possible at home to keep up form in an unforgiving league.

Full Time: BLUES 1-0 Coventry

Goal Scorers: Fahey (72)

Star Man: Stephen Carr - defender come winger, this is the man who we plucked from retirement

Next Up: C.D Nacional Away - Europa League Play Off First Leg

Off To A Winning Start

The first game of pre-season that took place earlier this evening against Cork City proved to be a positive run out for Chris Hughton’s charges, culminating in a 1-0 win for his side.

It was by no means an enthralling game; however pre-season matches are about bleeding in new players; looking at different formations and for a new manager in Hughton, seeing what each player brings to the game as an individual and working as a team.

A professional performance put on by the travelling side who flew to Ireland earlier on in the week, Blues never looked out of their depth nor too troubled by a Cork side who are half way through their season. New players were given a run out, including Morgaro Gomis and Adam Rooney who both more than impressed in their debuts for the club. As well as this, youngsters Nathan Redmond and Akwasi Asante were both given a chance; which is hopefully a sign of things to come for the new season.

Rooney got the first goal of the game and showed what he will hopefully be bringing to the table when the real ball comes out in less than a months’ time. On the half hour mark he reacted to a deflected save from the Cork City goal keeper and tapped the ball home with ease; opening his account for Blues in a game which he undoubtedly impressed.

Although it proved to be the only goal in the ninety minutes, Blues fashioned plenty more chances; most notably a 35 yard strike from Keith Fahey which was expertly tipped over. Colin Doyle in a web-chat earlier on today described Fahey as having the most pin-point shot now Seb Larsson has left the club, and hopefully we see much more of this on a regular basis.

In a game which saw Blues comfortable in possession for the majority, it can definitely be said that tonight was a good chance for Hughton’s team to have a run out, and for the manager himself to assess the players he has at his disposal and what he needs to add to the ranks before the season starts of the 6th August.

Staying on the subject of transfers, it seems as if Barry Ferguson will be leaving the club to join up with fellow Championship side Blackpool, and will complete the move some time next week. It has been said by many that we need to move on, and so in selling Ferguson we are in effect ending the McLeish era thereby allowing Hughton to bring in pacey midfielders that spectators want to see, however losing Ferguson who is a great asset to the team and a footballing genius, it will be a blow to the team and a big hole in midfield to fill.

Saying that, we have enough at our disposal to be able to fill said hole, and move on from the ‘McLeish era’, firmly into the Hughton era – one which has begun with a win.

Mixed News

It’s never dull supporting Blues, is it? Carson Yeung ‘assisting police with their enquiries’ is just another one to add to the list of events under the heading ‘Only At Blues’, sitting just beneath ‘winning a trophy and then getting relegated’.

The news was broke by China’s biggest Bluenose Jeffrey Au on Facebook before being picked up on in online news articles by fellow Blues fans, to which Birmingham City released an official statement regarding the matter. Quick to dispel any moral panic, Peter Pannu tried to reassure the Birmingham failful by reiterating that it has “nothing to do with the operation of the club”, and that it is regarding Birmingham International Holdings Ltd.

Yet still it begs the question as to the repercussions for the club. If BIHL are found guilty of money laundering, and Carson is found to be involved in it, then it will have something to do with the operation of the club in ways of assets being frozen, transfers etc.

It could be nothing; just something to look back on a laugh about in a couple of weeks’ time. But on the other hand it could be serious. The police believe something is wrong at a big Hong Kong company and this will surely set the media into a frenzy, especially as there have been numerous reports in previous weeks questioning the finances at the club and if we really have any money to spend at all. But only time will tell.

In other news: we’ve singed Rooney. Championship football, Tuesday night games and the promise of at least two games in Europe were enough to lure him to the club..

Adam Rooney, that is. The 23 year old has signed a two year deal at the club on a free transfer. Scoring 21 times in 42 games last season whilst playing for Inverness, the striker certainly has an eye for goal; something which has been the achilles heel for Blues for some time now, and hopefully Mr. Rooney can help solve that problem.

Our owner gets arrested for money laundering and we sign Rooney. Just another day in the life of Birmingham City.