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.

Success On The South Coast

Saturday saw Chris Hughton’s team surpass expectations set at the start of the season when they finally secured a play-off place with a 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium. They almost collected all three points but a late equaliser for the home side meant Blues went back to The Midlands with just the solitary point, but still smiling as they finally booked their place in the end of season lottery that is the play-offs.

After drawing mid-week the home side had blown their chances of getting into the play-offs and therefore the game was more important to Blues, who ideally needed at least a point. In a game that lacked clinical finishing and some questionable refereeing decisions, it was Brighton who just about edged the ninety minutes, but it was Blues who took the lead. Minutes after Andros Townsend came close with a shot that flashed across goal and went just wide of the post, substitute Nathan Redmond managed to find the back of the net, firing a shot past Peter Brezovan to put his side on course to victory with just twenty minutes remaining.

But in the 83rd minute after some serious pressure on Colin Doyle’s goal, Brighton finally got the goal they had been searching for when Ashley Barnes fired home from close range to put a slight dent Blues’ hopes of finishing fourth. Nevertheless, a point was enough to seal a play-off place with just one game of the season remaining against the Championship Champions Reading.

Blackpool also secured a place in the play-offs with an emphatic 4-0 win against Burnley, leaving them fourth place and just one point ahead of Blues, and a tough away fixture at Milwall left to play. Cardiff’s 1-1 draw with Leeds leaves them one point behind Blues and in fifth place, in need of a result against Crystal Palace at the weekend who may be looking to avenge the Carling Cup semi-finals when Cardiff defeated them. After Middlesbrough’s 2-1 win over Southampton they are left with an outsider’s chance of getting into the play-offs; needing to better Cardiff’s result to finish in the top six.

Blues can’t rest on their laurels as they now play for positions in the play-offs; bettering Blackpool’s result will mean they take fourth spot and have the advantage of being at home in the second leg. However we all know Reading will prove tough to beat, and will want to finish their incredible season on a high before leaving for their Premier League adventure, which Blues will hope to be part of.

Image: BCFC.com

Mixed Results

It’s a funny old game, football.

Such is the demand of the forty-six game a season Championship games come thick and fast, and while on Tuesday Blues were celebrating another fantastic victory over Barnsley, Saturday saw a disappointing defeat and the end to an unbeaten run stretching all the way back to December.

What was most apparent in Tuesday’s clash at Oakwell, and something that has been visible for the last few games, is that we are now much more clinical. Where we were once having 5-10 shots with one or two on target – Peterborough away for example – we now have a much better shots to shots on target/goals ratio.

As such, our three excellent finishes – albeit one handsomely deflected – allowed us to appear a much more clinical side and win the game, with the help of some astute defending. Chris Burke’s deflected shot put Blues ahead in under ten minutes, before an unlikely equaliser from David Cotterill, after the defence had a momentary lapse on concentration and were duly punished.

But Blues found themselves ahead again thanks to a 20 yard shot from Keith Fahey. A man who has booed only months previously had his name sung by the travelling 700 Bluenoses, which is a testament to how much the Republic of Ireland midfielder has changed opinions at St. Andrew’s with his strong performances in the centre of the park.

After commendable performances by all, the home side were limited to chances and as such Blues put the game to bed with twelve minutes left on the clock. Substitute Nathan Redmond beat the keeper from the tightest of angels to seal all three points for Blues and keep their unbeaten run going.

The next couple of days saw two loan singings come in; first, Portsmouth’s Erik Huseklepp was added to Chris Hughton’s charges. The pacey forward left the south-coast struggles with a heavy heart, but determined to do well at his new club. Another addition was made shortly after; this time Tottenham Hotspur’s Andros Townsend joined the ranks, having been on loan at fellow Championship side Leeds United up until his move to B9.

The new signings were set to make an impact as up next at home was a relatively straight-forward match against Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest who, on paper, have a team oozing with talent and experience. The likes of George Elokobi, Dexter Blackstock and Chris Gunter to name but a few. And Blues fans and players alike shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss this, as they were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line, bringing not only their unbeaten home run to an end, but their fifteen match unbeaten run to a close as well.

Dexter Blackstock produced the goods for the away side in both halves, whilst sandwiched in the middle was another impressive Chris Burke strike which seemed to offer hope of a victory, before it being snatched away with just under half an hour to go by the team who, ultimately, wanted it more on the day.

Despite the unfortunate defeat, Blues still sit in the play-off places with an extremely favourable goal difference. The FA Cup reply next week may provide a distraction, but it certainly isn’t unwanted. After all, a year ago today was the greatest day in Birmingham City’s history, and another trip to Wembley certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing.

We're All Going On A European Tour

Fifty years since the last European game at St. Andrews, Birmingham City last night proceeded to the group stages of the Europa League in style, beating Portuguese outfit C.D. Nacional 3-0, in front of a packed out St. Andrews.

Nacional began the game much like the first leg of the tie, showing their stylish passing ability, but it was Blues who went ahead in the fifteenth minute courtesy of teenager Nathan Redmond. Picking up the ball, Redmond skipped through the Nacional defence before shooting from distance, and looked on as his unstoppable shot flew straight into the bottom corner to send the Bluenoses in the stands crazy as their team drew first blood in the two legged tie.

If the first goal didn’t rock Nacional, the second certainly put the tie out of reach after just 25 minutes. It was Redmond again who provided, shooting from distance again to win a corner which was subsequently taken by Jean Beausejour and headed home by David Murphy to put the Blues 2-0 up.

And the most impressive first half display by Blues for a long time wasn’t over yet. Front pair Chris Wood and Adam Rooney both had chances to put their side even further ahead, but the intervention of first Alberto and then goalkeeper Elisson saved Nacional’s blushes.

As the second half got underway, the Nacional keeper was called upon again when Rooney was through on goal, but Elisson was able to save the shot with his legs. In not-so-true Blues nature, the best opportunities were being created by the home side, and they were unlucky not to add to their tally for the night on several occasions. Rooney had a wonderful chance to do so when he found himself one on one with Elisson; with Wood to his left, he chose to go alone and was denied once again by the frame of the Nacional keeper, and the tie remained at 2-0.

After frustrating the Nacional team all night, man of the match Redmond showed his class throughout the game at just 17 years of age, and almost scored again after a brilliant cross into the box agonizingly hit the inside of the post. But it was soon 3-0 to Blues after a delightful move which saw Wood finally get the goal he deserved: Blues broke after Nacional went on an unfruitful attack, with Carr feeding the ball into the path of the on-loan West Brom striker who made no mistake of putting his side three goals to the good, opening his Birmingham City account in a more than enjoyable night at St. Andrews.

Not only was the score-line brilliant but the performance was exceptional also. The stand out performers for me were the three goal scorers: Nathan Redmond, who has the crowed behind him all the way as the wove through the Nacional defence all night long; David Murphy who didn’t put a foot wrong all night and even chipped in with a rare goal; and Chris Wood who has deserved a goal since he came here which he finally got tonight, hopefully we can extend his loan until the end of the season – at 19 he too has a big future ahead of him. The whole team, in fact, deserves praise for giving the fans not only a win, but showing them a style of play that has been unfamiliar to the Birmingham City faithful in recent years. Manager Chris Hughton also warrants applause, and the packed out St. Andrews crowed last night showed him just that; singing his name all night long.


The draw for the Europa League group stages, as you all know, took place this afternoon. After a lengthy procedure and more than enough 'special guests', Blues were placed in Group H along with Braga of Portugal, Club Brugge of Belgium and FC Maribor of Slovenia. The European Tour starts here!

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

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)

The Road to Wembley...

There seems to be some kind of unwritten rule when it comes to the Carling Cup, that Premier League teams must beat lower league opposition. They have to. Or it will be considered a total travesty and an embarrassment. But considering most Premier League teams play most of their reserve players in these Cup ties, I don’t see how losing against teams in a lower division is seen as something that just shouldn’t happen. If it’s not your team; we all find it brilliant when teams like Barsnley beat Liverpool, etc. But if it is your team; it’s like the end of the world.

Of corse that doesn’t matter; as Blues won 3-2 against Rochdale so this doesn’t have to come into the equation. But I just thought I’d throw that out there...

The match, which got better as it went on, started off quite dully. And although Blues attacked in force; they were quite predictable and not exactly full of ideas. The ball across the park to Murphy which was tried six times before we realised it was going to get cut off before it reached him is an example of this especially because that’s how Rochdale’s first goal came about. Murphy couldn’t get back in time and that left Jones to tap in the rebound after his first shot was saved by Maik Taylor, to the frustration of the small Blues crowd inside St. Andrews.

Blues were level though just three minutes later: Matt Derbyshire, making his first start for Blues, was brought down in the penalty area, and a couple of angry Rochdale players and a confused linesman later, the penalty was awarded and McFadden stepped up to slot it away expertly (Villa players, take note) and Blues were back on level terms.

McFadden showed his class in the first half, skipping past players, making a few great passes. Something you realise when you actually have time to concentrate on just one player, is how much they actually do. Moan all you like about James McFadden, use his as a scapegoat for pretty much everything; but that man is a class player, and there is no doubt about it. There’s been rumours about him being linked with a move away from the club, and if we were to lose him, it would be a big loss.

The second half saw Seb Larsson come on for McFadden, and Blues started very bright; attacking from the off. Seb was instantly involved as his corner found the head of Roger Johnson, which was tapped into the net to put Blues ahead, just a couple of minutes into the second half.

Blues looked much to dominant team then, and although Rochdale did have their chances, you could see the divide between the two. Matt Derbyshire had already showed how much of a handful he will be this season, and he was in the right place at the right time for his first Blues goal, after a Larsson shot was fumbled by the Rochdale ‘keeper, and bundled just about over the line by Derbyshire.

So, 3-1 and the game was pretty much over already. Blues had ample chances to extend their lead, with that man Derbyshire again coming close numerous times. He then made way for Nikola Zigic, who instantly set up O’Connor whose shot fired wide. But, with Blues seemingly comfortable, they were put back into panik-mode by Jones again as the Rochdale captain scored to make the last ten or so minutes slightly nervy for the home side.

Youngster Nathan Redmond made his first appearance for Blues and you could see why McLeish had put him on the bench a couple of times last season; he is not shot of confidence and is willing to take men on and get a shot off - coming close several times. It was refreshing to see that young talent can still break through , and hopefully we won’t let him slip through the net.

Blues hung on to win 3-2, when really it could’ve been more, to get their place in the next round of the cup. And although the game was an exciting encounter, I don’t think it’ll live very long in the memory of the 6,000 or so fans that were there!

Full Time: Birmingham City 3-2 Rochdale