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

Honours Even

Another batteling I'm getting bored of saying that now) display by Blues saw them pick up a vital away point in the relegation battle today, and with the teams below us losing it proved at full time to be an even better point.

With Blues unchanged from their brilliant win last week at home to Bolton at travelling fans came out in force today in full voice, however it was the home side that started the brightest, with Junior Hoilett showing signs of what was to come with a run down the wing which eventually came to no avail. Blues picked up though, and the partnership of Jerome and Phillips looked to be working well; Jerome especially working well and winning countless aerial challenges against the strong back four of Blackburn.

And it was the away side who drew first blood with a goal after just over half an hour of play. Jerome received the ball from Larsson and put in a brilliant ball into the box which was tapped in with ease by Lee Bowyer to set the travelling fans tucked away in the upper tier into complete frenzy, and further silence to very quiet home support.


Blues continued to put Blackburn under pressure and with 45 minutes gone won a freekick. Larsson curled the ball expertly; Robinson in the Blacburn goal didn't even move... and the ball hit the woodwork! Had that gone in it may have been game over, or at least a very comfortable lead going into half time. But just a coyuple of minutes later at the pther end of the pitch Roger Johnson was left knocked out on the deck after a Blackburn attack. After a fw minutes of treatement he was bak on his feet, but a Ridgewell mistake meant Hoilett was through on goal and rounded Foster to rqualise for the home side. All the hard work by Blues had been undone by one defensive mishap.


Althoughnthe first half had been entertaining, the second half wa s areal relegation scrap. neither team wanted to go too far forward in fear of conceding and when either team ventured into the opposition half they lost the ball. It was end to end, scrappy, and by the end of the match half the players had been on the floor injured.

Johnson's concussion from his knock in the first half proved too much for him to carry on, and Davies had to come on in place of him. It's a given now that whenever Davies comes on we all look at each other as if our fate has been decided. But credit to him as today, even with a clear injury, he had a solid game at the back alongside Ridgewell.

Overall, the draw was the right result and like I mentioned at the start, it was even better considering the results of those around us. Win next week and we'll be one step closer to Premier League survival and one step further away from the relegation trap door. I believe there are more than three teams in this league who are worse than us: we will be fine... and hopefully come the end of the season I won't be made to regret what I just said!

Full Time: Blackburn 1-1 Birmingham City

So Close

First off I just want to say how immensely proud I am of the players today. It was a make-shift team somewhat - not that I'm using that as an excuse - and they took a strong Bolton team right down to the wire and we were unlucky not to get a replay, or even win. The battle and persistence they showed today proved that we have got more than enough to stay up; we just need to replicate that in our Premier League games now, starting with Wigan next weekend.

All of the changes made for the game today were forced upon McLeish, but that's not to say their replacements were poor - far from it. With early chances from Blues and Bolton, and with both teams having their fair share of the ball, it was a pretty even game until the away side managed to take the lead. Elmander was fed the ball in the six yard box and with no oncoming pressure from the Blues defence, he neatly shot past Foster to give his side the lead.

Another two changes had to be made soon after with Ferguson picking up a thigh injury and Jiranek also having to go off - so on came Redmond and Ridgewell in their place.


Blues picked up the pace and after a positive amount of pressure, they finally found the equaliser. Cameron Jerome - who has been getting better and better in the last few games - was persistent, and eventually brought the ball down well and shot hard past Jaaskelainen to level the score.

It was Blues who were in the ascendancy for the remainder of the half, and at half time there were many positives that could be taken from the first forty-five minutes, even though we had sustained two injuries to key players.


Blues kept up the pressure at the beginning of the second half, and could have had a penalty when Jerome was one on one with Jaaskelainen and fell to the floor, however it seemed to be the right decision from the referee who only awarded a corner.

The St. Andrews crowd were really getting loud now and could sense a goal to put them ahead in the tie, and that almost came when a corner was swung in by Larsson from the right, which found its way to Phillips who would have put his side in front were it not for the goal line clearance from Lee Chung-Yong - with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a substitute!

Blues almost rued their missed chance a couple of minutes later when Kevin Davies found the back of the net, only to be flagged offside. Blues fans and players were relieved, but a short while later Bolton found themselves ahead again when they were awarded a penalty after Davies (of Blues) seemed to foul his namesake, and Davies (of Bolton) shot hard down the middle and sent the Bolton fans crazy.

With just ten minutes left Matt Derbyshire - the forgotten man in recent games- stepped up to the side of the pitch, presumably to come on in place of Kevin Phillips. But Super Kev, just outside the area, saw the ball come over his head and stuck a foot out. He just got contact and the ball looped over the head of the Bolton keeper; it really showed the never say die attitude of not only Blues, but of Super Kevin Phillips who truly is one of the best finishers English football has ever been graced with.


This really put more and more belief into a Blues team who had it in abundance already. As the fans rose to their feet, applauding and singing "that's why we're champions," the players kept on fighting and trying to win the game. Unfortunately, Blues were to concede a cruel last minute goal from Lee Chung-Yong and there was no way back for Blues this time.


It was a valiant effort by the side and all the players put in a great performance. Jordon Mutch, Seb Larsson and Cameron Jerome particularly impressed me; Larsson especially as he was absolutely everywhere on the pitch today, showing that he does love the club and that he does want to stay here. Even though we lost there are many positives to take from this game. If a make-shift team can put in that performance then there is no reason why our fully fit first team can't replicate it. Another positive being Jordon Mutch and Nathan Redmond who are most definitely the future. Also, when was the last time our two strikers scored in the same game?!

I'd like to finish this by congratulating Bolton; thank you for a great game today: end to end, exciting, and I hope you have a great day out at Wembley. Hopefully we can beat you in the league now as a little consolation for today - just like we did against Portsmouth last season!

It would have been great to get to Wembley again but not we can concentrate on the league and hopefully kick on and win a few - whilst emulating this performance. Plus, it's saved us a bit of money, which can go straight into the 'European Tour' fund...

Full Time: Birmingham City 2-3 Bolton Wanderers

We seem to like the cups...

So we're 90 minutes from Wembley again after the comfortable victory against Sheffield Wednesday earlier this afternoon. 3-0 in the end but really it could and should have been more. Easy this cup lark, isn't it?!

An early break to kill the game almost instantly was just what a needed against a Sheffield Wednesday side that has been poor of late and not won since way back in December. Capitalising on this was Jean Beausejour who scored his first goal in a Blues shirt after just five minutes of the match, side-footing the ball expertly into the net.

It was clear soon after that we were the team in control. Early goals are always vital to a teams performance as we witnessed earlier on in the week, on Tuesday against Newcastle. Fahey and Hleb created a good partnership and understanding in midfield together; both staking a claim for inclusion in the Wembley squad next Sunday.


The second goal of the afternoon came curtsy of a brilliant through ball by the man I just mentioned Hleb, who passed the ball to Martins on the left. He ran like a train through the defence and slid the ball into the back of the net with only eleven minutes off the game gone. The famous back flips were unveiled and Blues were now in cruise control to sail onto victory and through to the quarter finals.

Hleb really was showing his Premier League quality, as were the rest of the team, but it was especially unfortunate to see Alexander unfairly tackled and taken off through injury after only 20 minutes of play. Bentley came on as a substitute for him, which is a big indication of how far we have come if we can take Hleb off and bring Bentley on in an F.A Cup fifth round tie against Sheffield Wednesday! Albeit that both of them are on loan...

Blues had a handful of chances in the rest of the half, with Fahey's excellent free kick being palmed away, and the most clear cut chance being when Bowyer picked up the ball on the left and drove in a shot which seemed to him Cameron Jerome, who was unable to get control of the ball before it bounced passed the post. And Blues went in at half time with a comfortable two goal lead in a game they were dominating.


The second half started like the first, and Blues made a substitution which saw Phillips come on in place of Jerome. The game was all but over just 10 minutes later. A corner from Fahey was driven into the box almost on the goal line, where Bowyer seemed to come behind the keeper - much to the surprise of the Wednesday players! - and guide the ball into the path of David Murphy who fired in from close range.

Obafemi Martins almost got a brace after a smart Bentley run and a great cross clipped Martins on his heal and somehow managed to go just over the bar! But Blues were already in the driving seat and the miss wasn't too costly.


Although the away side piled on a late spell of pressure, they never really threatened Colin Doyle who seemed comfortable and assured all game and did everything that was asked of him. In fact, all the players played really well today and it was a great game to watch. Stephen Carr hardly ran all game but he didn't need to; Parnaby and Johnson were a solid partnership in defence and Murphy also had a good game with a goal to his name too. The midfield of Bowyer, Bentley, Fahey and Beausejour controlled the game with Fahey again playing a great central role as he did in the previous round against Coventry City.

Roger Johnson was substituted for Jordon Mutch near the end of the game, much to the disappointment of the centre half (we all know what he's like!) It's great to see a player so determined not to be substituted, but he's a player we need for the final and a silly injury or a stupid sending off was not something we wanted.

So, it was a comfortable win against quite a poor Sheffield Wednesday side. We didn't pick up too many threatening injuries and hopefully Hleb will be fit for the bench for the final next Sunday. All that's left to say now is well done today Blues, and I'll see you all at Wembley!

Full Time: Birmingham City 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday

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.

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

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)