Midfield General

“Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future.” No one is perfect. Least of all Barry Ferguson. He knows it too, and that’s why he has this quote inked onto his arm. A reminder, not just to himself but to us all, that a person can have done things they may not be so proud of in the past – but the future can more than make up for it, and Ferguson’s past at Rangers was made up for by his contributions to Birmingham City.

He came with a wealth of talent when singing from Rangers at the beginning of the 2009/10 season. Controlling the midfield in 83 appearances whilst at Blues, he rarely gave the ball away and was renowned by fans and pundits alike for his precise passes and perfect ball control.

Although his past remained somewhat of a burden in the eyes of football fans and journalists, this didn’t influence him in his time at Blues at all. In central midfield he adopted a sweeping role in front of the defence, and became the pass master of the Birmingham team. He was the man whom seemed to keep everything linked together during the game, and in many games; play revolved around him.

His partnership with Lee Bowyer, another man with a past yet another man able to shake it off and get on with his game, was struck up as soon as they were placed into the same team. Since then both cemented their places in the side, with Ferguson becoming an integral part to Blues’ unbeaten run and ninth place finish in his first season at the club in his first season in the Midlands.

Another relationship Ferguson made whilst at Blues was a rekindled one with Alex McLeish. The pair knew each from their Rangers days when McLeish managed Ferguson; and Big Eck, obviously still impressed with the ex-Scotland international, employed Ferguson at Blues stating he had “unfinished business in England.” And that he did. His unsuccessful first crack at the Premier League with Blackburn was brushed under the carpet with his more than fruitful time at Blues coming to the forefront. His critics were warned what he was capable of, but little did they know he would fulfill such expectations installed into him by the man he put just as much faith in; Alex McLeish.

This determined attitude has one major example: playing on with a broken rib in the Carling Cup Final. Every player gave 110% that day but to learn that Ferguson played the majority of the game with a severe injury shows just how determined the Scotsman was to succeed, and to prove his adamant doubters wrong.

Like his midfield partner Lee Bowyer, Ferguson grew up during his time at Blues – if a thirty-three year old can grow up. Although his mind slipped into mischief making at times – the controversial ‘slap’ on Laurent Kosielney’s head after Obafemi Martins scored his 89th minute winner in the League Cup Final being one of them. But stunts like that don’t make him a villain. The professional side to Ferguson’;s game is what should be remembered. His ability to pick out a pass no one else could see; carrying the ball until someone was free for him to lay the ball off too; ‘taking on for the team’ as if were by picking up a second yellow card against Manchester City in 2009 to prevent them getting the ball too far up the pitch so near to the end of the game. The same happened at Wembley where he kicked the ball away after the whistle had been blown, so Arsenal had to wait to attack. What could be labeled as childish by the opposing team, it’s something you want in a player who plies their trade for your club. The fact he’d sacrifice his own position for the sake of the team as an entirety shows he stands out from many of the selfish footballers in the game nowadays. Also, in effect, living up to another phrase marked onto his body: carpe diem. Seize the day.

Being named players’ player of the year in 2009/10 showed that his fellow team mates also appreciated everything he did for the club, and for the no-nonsense midfielder life at Blues was thoroughly enjoyable. He once stated that the spirit at Birmingham was “the best spirit I have ever been involved in” adding that the players in the squad were “the best bunch of lads I’ve met.” And it was true. Pre-relegation, the team spirit was second to none. The last two seasons have been a whirlwind of emotions; new owners, an unbeaten run in our first year back in the top flight, a top half of the table finish and a Carling Cup Final win. The one thing that made our accomplishments achievable was the spirit throughout Birmingham City Football Club, and with vital players leaving like Barry Ferguson who epitomised such spirit, it feels as if everything we have built up over the past two years has just come crashing down around us.

A new era begins as we say an unwanted goodbye to those who brought us the biggest achievement this club has ever seen.

Safety almost secured

Blues moved one more step closer towards Premier League survival this afternoon after clinching a 2-0 win over a Sunderland side who continue their bad run of form. McLeish named an unchanged side meaning those who had battled against Blackburn and Bolton regained their place yet again, and deservedly so.

In front of a near enough sell out crowd the home side began the game brightly, with Jerome again looking incredibly lively in the first few minutes as he has done the previous two games. And he nearly got the opening goal when he was put clean through but his shot was saved by Sunderland keeper Mignolet.

Sunderland then began to get into the game and had more of the possession but failed to create. They almost got a break though when, on the edge of his box, Barry Ferguson uncharacteristically lost the ball but Ben Foster and Roger Johnson were both on hand to spare his blushes; the former making a great dive to scoop the ball away from the feet of a Sunderland player, and the latter making a goal line clearance when it looked inevitable that the away side would take the lead.

It was a nervy period for Blues and the crowd were getting anxious as the ball kept making its way back to Foster, but that was exactly what led to the first Blues goal: Foster cleared it high up field with one of his massive kicks; Jerome flicked the ball on superbly and Larsson ran on. Confusion between Mignolet and Bardsley allowed Larsson to sneak a foot in on the end of the box and the ball rolled into the back of the net - 1-0 to Blues and just the boost we needed.


The second half saw immediate Sunderland pressure but some very un-clinical finishing; some super Ben Foster saves and some last ditch defending saw that Blues maintained their one goal lead. Phillips, who struggled to get into the game, was substituted and Hleb filled the gap, and just five minutes later he provided the pass that set p the second goal. After some neat passing by Blues the ball fell to the feet of Hleb, who instead of running on found Gardner free on the edge of a box. Craig picked up the ball and hit hard with his left foot, which bounced in front of their Sunderland keeper and into the back of the net to give Blues a two-goal lead.


By then, you could tell it was Blues who would run out winners, and they saw the final fifteen minutes of the game out seemingly comfortably. Man of the match Larsson, on his 100th Premier League appearance, left the field to a standing ovation and a few chants of "sign him up" rang from the Tilton as the game came to a close.

It's not often we're the most clinical team, but today proved that goals win games and no matter how much possession you have or how many shots you have, it takes goals to win games and fortunately Blues were able to score two of them today.

Three points in the right direction, two goals scored and a clean sheet which will have done wonders for the back four and England's number one in goal. Well done Blues, another win should surely do it now!

Full Time: Birmingham City 2-0 Sunderland

Goal scoring issues: resolved

Our problem is scoring goals and that's been our problem for a while now. However in the two games prior to this match we'd actually scored six goals in total, playing the fan-favoured 4-4-2 formation, as a posed to scoring one or maybe even two if we were lucky playing Alex's preferred 4-5-1 layout. Sometimes, the more defensive option is needed, but sometimes; the fans are right. Most of us would rather lose 2 or 3 nil trying to win a game and going all out, than being really defensive all game and just losing 1-0.

Tonight wasn't much different. We set out in a 4-4-2 formation up against Manchester City's tremendous attacking line-up of 4-3-3, with Silva, Tevez and Dzeko all starting up front. Scary, but nothing should phase Blues nowadays. Unfortunately though, we let Man City get a very slopping goal in the first few minutes coutosy of Carlos Tevez and some sloppy defending. The one thing you don't do is let Silva and Tevez have their own way, and we did just that, and left only ourselves to blame.

Never to be shot down though, we kept going at it, and eventually got the equaliser through Nikola Zigic, who had looked lively all game. After coming close with an excellent but casual volley minutes before, Zigic took advantage of some questionable Man City defending from a Bentley free-kick and slide the ball through Joe Hart's legs to put the Blues on level terms.


In between Zigic's chance and Zigic's goal was a heart stopping moment: Barry Ferguson turned and fell to the ground in agony. From where I was sitting I could see the pain on his face, and it did not look good. The whole ground as one watched with their heart in their mouths and their head thinking about the Carling Cup final and relegation battle, and watched on as Sir Barry eventually rose to his feet, limping slightly, to carry on with the game. Relief all round.

There was another, more serious, injury later on in that half which saw seven minutes added time. Micah Richards and Nigel De Jong collided, leaving Richards out on the floor with a scary head injury, and was stretchered off with Kolo Toure coming on to replace him.

After playing well Blues were again the masters of their own downfall, conceding a free-kick right on the edge of the area. I said before Kolarov took it that he would score. I was right, and he did score. The wall wasn't strong enough for his bullet of a shot and we should have been aware of that. So we had to do it all over again in the second half, yet again!


If we started the first half in the same way we started the second half we would be laughing. Not for the first time we came straight out the blocks and went for it. Bentley and Carr were a joy to watch down the right hand side and an equalising goal came agonisingly close a number of times. Kevin Phillips came on to save the day again, and gave a little helping hand towards the goal by winning a penalty.

When I first saw it, I thought we were lucky but after seeing replays you can see why the referee gave it. Add that to the fact we've had some complete stonewallers turned down this season, not I nor any other Bluenose cared about the nature in which we were awarded this penalty. Joe Hart did his usual distracting techniques but Craig Gardner gave him the eyes and blasted it down the middle to equalise. After that, we honestly could have gone on to win it, but City came so close at the death with yet another free-kick from Kolarov who shot just inches wide.


Also, it was great to see England's number two back at St. Andrews last night. He came, he conceded, he danced. And he also left with a black eye! There's only one Joe Hart!

In the end it was a great result and a good game, which either team could have won in the end. From our point of view it was a great point, and we'll take that performance and the two that came before it into Sundays 'six pointer.' And hey, we score goals now! What's there to worry about...

Full Time: Birmingham City 2-2 Manchester City

Footnote:
Thumbs up top the guy who jokingly shook the hand of every steward in front of block 6.
Thumbs down to the snatch squad who fronted up to him and frog marched him out.

Que sera sera...

At 90 minutes, we were out of the Carling Cup. At 91 minutes, we were back in it again. It's strange how football works, because if teams that deserved to win actually won, we wouldn't have equalised in the 91st minute to send the game to extra time. As it is, not everyone gets what they deserve in football.

To say Brentford were the better team throughout the first ninety minutes would be an understatement. We honestly didn't turn up at all. O'Connor and Derbyshire are probably still in the back pockets of the Brentford defence, and our own defence is lucky that 1. most of Brentford's shots were wide of the mark, and 2. (and no one normally says this) that Maik Taylor was in goal behind them.

The best of a bad bunch was probably Michel, who got man of the match for Blues. It has been mentioned before that he is being moulded into Barry Ferguson, as he is a good passer and distributor of the ball like Barry himself. Michel played well in midfield; won lots of headers, played intelligent passes, and for a Spaniard he doesn't half get stuck in. I was impressed with him. Shame I can't really say that about many of the others. Especially Lee Bowyer, who had an absolute mare, to then go and and sky his penalty - which pretty much summed up his night.


Another special mention needs to go to Nathan Redmond. Although at times he got caught up a bit in play, you can tell what a great player he is going to be. He has pace, skill and agility, and with the crowd getting behind the young lad, there is only one way he is going to go - and that is up.

Kevin Phillips' equaliser, after Sam Wood put the away side ahead, knocked the stuffing out of Brentford, and it was clear that in extra time they were happy to settle for the lottery that is the penalty shoot out. And they got it.


I didn't know Scott Dann and Stephen Carr were penalty takers, but I would let them take them again and again after their efforts last night. Craig Gardner and Kevin Phillips also slotted theirs away like true professionals calm under pressure, and with a smart save by Maik Taylor for Brentford's last penalty, Blues wrapped up the win and booked a place in the last eight of the competition.


Credit goes to Brentford FC - their players and their fans - they took the game to us and almost won. Their fans were brilliant throughout and I honestly wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season. I spoke to David Hunt, one of their players, on Twitter this morning; congratulating him on how well his team played and how unlucky they were. He is a credit to his team as he replied back, and wished Blues good luck. I will keep an eye out for their results this season, as if they play their league games like they played last night, I have a feeling they will do very well indeed.

Three games away from Wembley kids. Three games.

Full Time: Birmingham City 1-1 Brentford (4-3 on penalties AET)

That's more like it

A much more spirited Blues performance and a much better crowd saw Birmingham come out winners today against a lively Blackpool side – scoring two and even keeping a clean sheet, setting the players up nicely for their next league game: the derby with those up the road.

Playing Blackpool, you know what to expect: a team that will come at you; a team full of little battlers; and a manager with his heart on his sleeve. But, you don't know how they're going to play. That's the thing. It's like us last season – no one knew our style of play, so it took teams a while to figure us out, and figure out how to beat us. It's like that this season with Blackpool, and combine that with the amount of passion and drive Ian Holloway forces upon his players, they have been a tough test for many teams already this season – just asked Liverpool.

As it was, Blues played brilliantly today. Every single one of them. Ben Foster is improving every game, much like Joe Hart did under goalkeeping coach Dave Watson. The back four were as solid as... a very solid thing. As always. How Roger Johnson, at 27, is still yet to be called up to England is a mystery. Liam Ridgewell played great again as well, with a goal on the score sheet and a great performance to his name too. Him and Stephen Carr, well, I've not seen them play so far up the pitch all season.

It wasn't so much 4-4-2, well, that was the intentional formation. But the tactics we played meant that Ferguson – who had his best game so far this season for Blues – played just behind the midfield and did his brilliant job of sweeping the loose balls up. Fahey played a more central role, and had a good few chances and a much better game than his previous few. Seb Larsson and Alex Hleb also had good games, with Hleb, like Fahey, having one of his better games in a Blues shirt – until he went off injured, that is.

Moan about him as much as you like, but one thing you cannot fault Garry O'Connor for is his work rate. Call him fat, call him whatever, but he will run for you all day long; he will win headers all day long; he will make runs and chase down the ball. All. Day. Long. And he had a good game today, I was willing him to score Blues' third just to shut the haters and the moaners up.

Zigic seems to have found his feet in the Premier League, and with another goal today it proves he can cut it in this league. He's now playing with confidence, winning balls in the air and picking out good passes. He's not the fastest of players, but he'll get into the right positions for you, and him and O'Connor seem like a good partnership.

The difference between this game and our last home game against Everton, was confidence. The Arsenal game, although we lost, seemed to have given these players a bit of a boost. The 20 yard passes are now being pulled off. The balls across the park are actually reaching the players. The neat one-touch football we played last season is being introduced back into our game. And the crowd can see this too. The atmosphere today was great; the fans got behind every single player,. And it gave the Blues team even more drive and confidence to go on and score more and create more.

Last season we lost to Arsenal in October, won our next home game with Ridgewell being first goalscorer and went on that amazing unbeaten run. This season we lost to Arsenal... in October... won our next home game... with Ridgewell being first on the score sheet. I'm not saying we will replicate what we did last year, but if that's not a coincidence, I don't know what is.

Full Time: Birmingham City 2-0 Blackpool

To sumarise...

Writing a match report for every game is starting to get a bit boring, so I’ve decided to vary it now. Today I am doing ‘Ten things we learnt today’ - Enjoy!

1. Gone are the days that Liverpool can just turn up and expect to beat teams. If I had to describe them inn one word, it would be ‘ordinary.’ they’re not better than us right now, in fact if you looked at results and the table, we are better than them at this moment in time. They are rather lacklusture, and simply create too little to be competing with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

2. Also, gone are the days where you can walk out the ground after drawing against Liverpool being happy and content with a point. I was disappointed. Honest to God, I was disappointed because we could, and should, have won that.

3. It comes to something when Liverpool have to dive to try and beat you. Lucas being the main culprit. I can see why Liverpool fans don’t like him much; he spent more time diving today than Tom Daley.


4. I’m not sure what it is, but we always seem to be able to nullify Torres when he plays against us. We are the only team Fernando Torres has faced more than once in the Premier league and never scored against. Nice fact for you there. Like last season, Roger Johnson had him in his back pocket today; Fernando Torres was his bitch. It was lovely to watch.

5. Which brings me onto the Roger and Scott for England campaign: Matty Upson and Joleon Lescott are still getting called up. Tell me why this is. Of corse I’m being biased, but tell me two English central defenders, right now, that are better than Dann and Johnson. Today, they were both superb. Absolutely superb.

6. Pepe Reina is brilliant. Without him today, Liverpool would most definitely have lost. The saves he made in the first half, especially from Jerome’s header, were really, really good. At the moment, he’s their best player. Which speaks volumes considering he is their goalkeeper.


7. The best thing Aston Villa ever did (except put Enckleman in goal) was sell us Craig Gardner. I would right a personal letter of thanks to Randy and co. but I wouldn’t want to waste my money on a stamp.

8. The same can be said for Rangers selling us Barry Ferguson. For me, he was probably man of the match today. He is a midfield genius. Everything just revolves around him, and I hope to God he’s at Blues until the end of his career.

9. James McFadden is not lazy. Please, lets stop labeling him as this, because he is a class player. He really is, and today he showed this class. Yes, we wish he’d do it all the time, but that’s what you get with James McFadden: he picks his moments, and today was one of those moments.

10. No team comes to St. Andrews expecting to win anymore. I said at the start this was ’10 things we learnt today’ when in fact I’m saying this and we already knew it, but I’m pointing it out again for the benefit of any fan that thinks otherwise: we will grind and grind and block and block and push and push until those 90 plus minutes are up. The fans will sing their hearts out, taunt your players and make fortress St. Andrews live up to it’s name. You can’t go there expecting to win, in fact, you’re lucky to come away with just a point nowadays, like Liverpool were today. Nearly a year unbeaten at home now, I wonder how long we can go on this run for…

Full Time: Birmingham City 0-0 Liverpool

Footnote: after proof reading I’ve realised how biased this is. Oh well, it’s a different kind of bias to that you witness on the BBC, so I’d be grateful if I were you.

player of the season

i voted quite a few weeks ago for the official blues player of the season, but since then i've been on various forums and voted for a different player each time - simply because i couldn't make up my mind. naturally, this was a hard decision because of what a great season we've had, but i was able to narrow it down to four: lee bowyer, barry ferguson, roger johnson and joe hart. and i'm not sure the player i voted for for player of the season was the ultimate player of the season. he was a right choice though.

Lee Bowyer
when we got him on loan in january last season everyone was a bit nervy because of his past, and the fact the last time we'd tried to buy him, some blues fans actually made a petition to keep him away from our club. but he brushed off the 'bad boy' name tag that had shadowed his career almost straight away. we signed him in the summer and in this, his first full season, he has been one of our best players. commanding, decisive and a real threat going forward, lee bowyer plays the game just how he's always played it - with passion, which he shows in every game he plays. with a new cool-headed approach to his game that wasn't to be seen a few years ago, bowyer has revived his career at st. andrews and for me, was a definite contender for player of the season.

Barry Ferguson
"he won't cut it in the prem" was what they said. "not exactly the best move by birmingham" was also what they said. i'd like you all now, every single one of you, who said either of these things, to make some kind of apology to barry ferguson, especially the website that branded him as one of the worst buys of the transfer window, in the summer of 2009. he has been nothing short of a midfield genius; one of the best passers in the premier league, his accuracy and timing have been perfection. he has the ability to pick out a pass, to find space, and do an excellent job of playing just in front of the back four and picking up loose balls. he has been phenomenal this season, and in my eyes one of, if not the, best buys of the transfer window, of summer 2009.

Roger Johnson

this was who i voted for for player of the season. we've all seen how well he's done; he (along with scott dann) has made the step up from the championship to the premiership seem minute, almost non-existent. he just plays his football how he has always played it, and it's a shame no premier league club saw his ability sooner - but i'm glad we saw it! he is a real british defender - no messing about, just clear it. he puts his body on the line every single game, and all he wants to do is play football. even when he's injured he gets up, shakes it off and gets on with the game. he truly has had an amazing season, and all that he needs to top it off now is to score his first goal for the club; that really is all he is missing from a perfect debut season in the premier league.

i voted for roger johnson because of how well he has played this season, showing true grit and determination, and overall just playing the best he possibly can and then some. but over the last few weeks it's come to mine, and a lot of other fans' attention, that it's someone else who is player of the season. if you look at our results this season, and look at the match reports, it's one name that sticks out. i'm not saying it's him on his own, because the defence, no, the whole team, has been brilliant this season, but the one name that truly sticks out is one that i should've noticed a long time ago: Joe Hart.

joe started the season with obviously areas with room for improvement. i'm not saying he was bad - he was pretty brilliant - but you could tell what he needed to improve on. and he did. this season, he has been a brilliant shot stopper: his big physique aids him in one-on-ones, making himself big and forcing his opponent to shoot straight at him. his instinctive decisions and saves: he's a very bright person on and off the field, and making quick decisions is when he is in his element, he's great at it. his kicks: he can use both feet, he gets great distance on it, be in from a goal kick or from out of his hands. joe is calm (sometimes..): he doesn't seem to feel the pressure; he can leave it until the last minute, even when a striker is running full pelt at him, to clear the ball. and for any team, it's good to have a player with passion: you can tell, even though he's only on loan, he feels what all the other players and the fans are feeling; he cleberates like he's a fan, like he's part of the club - and not many loan players are like this. his charisma and personality shine through, and it really is somewhat an honour (or maybe thats too strong a word?) to have a player like him in your side. you know he will never let you down, and if he does, he'll pick himself up, and make a string of amazing saves that make you think one: how did he do that? and two: why did i ever doubt him?

the fact he got nominated for PFA young player of the year and that he got in to the PFA XI of the season speaks for itself. he has had an amazing season, and after consideration of pretty much everything; he deserves player of the season. the amount of times he's saved and gained us points this season shouldn't be taken for granted; it's scary to think where we'd of been in the league if we didn't have him in goal. i'm not trying to take away anything from the other players, namely the defence, but i;m just reiterating what alot of people are saying: joe has saved us a lot this season. and we should be so thankful for him, and a lot of us now are asking the question: just what are we going to do next season without him?

but, whoever wins player of the season, and i can see it being any of these four, will have deserved it. in all honesty, the whole team deserve something for what they've achieved this season.