BLUE DAYS

Heat on for O'Neil

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:24:06 -0500

The opening weekend of the Premier League will give hope to the three Cities plus the North London duo. I felt Birmingham City gave a good account of themselves at Old Trafford. The most pleasing aspect was that Mcleish told his side to have a go. The Blues certainly had their chances while Vignal and Roger Johnson looked solid at the back. Christan Beneitez looks as though he can score goals at this level. He certainly brought the best out of Ben Foster.

Interestingly Paul Merson had a good laugh at Beneitez during Saturday's Soccer Saturday. Merson loves the Villa and never has a good word to say about Bluese. Well Merse, I think Martin O'Neil may be departing Brum before Big Eck. Unlike many Birmingham fans I respect Villa. This club are former European Champions, they have a fantastic ground and a large fan base. But Villa are under acheiving big time. The Villa fans expect their side to challenge the Big Four, but the much vaunted duo of O'Neil and Chairman Randy Learner have failed to deliver.

The next few fixtures could determine the Irishman's future at Villa Park. Next up is a trip to Anfield, follwed by Fulham at home. Then comes the local derby before Chelsea come to town. Nothing looks easy there particularly as Raffa's men need to pick up after the Spurs defeat while Blues owe their fans after losing the last derby 5-1.

Things were all so different in 2006 when many Villa fans met O'Neil on his arrival. The former Leicester boss was hailed as the Messiah
who would bring back the glory days. But in three years Villa have finished no higher then 6th. The same positon the David O'Learys team finished in 2003-4. Of course Rome wasn't built in a day, O'
Neil will point to the fact that it took Sir Alex Ferguson three years to win a trophy at Old Trafford. But as with David Moyes the fans will not wait for ever.

Manchester City - The Acid Test

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:37:34 -0500

What have you got Mr Hughes? The heat is well on truly on for the Manchester City manager. The signing of Tevez, Barry and Adebyor means the Welshman has nowhere to hide if things go belly up this season.

The signing of Tevez could be the steal of the season, the chunky Argentine was a success at Upton Park and Old Trafford so he should prove a favourite at Eastlands. His attitude can never be doubted, I wonder how many Rags fans wished Berbatov had moved across Manchester instead. But the signings of Adebayor, Robinho and Bellamy could spell trouble for the City Boss. If results start going against City it's hard to imagine the three stikers giving 100% to the cause. I read a blog from an Arsenal pal who highlighted Adebayor's poor attitude in North London, his infamous run in with Bendner springs to mind. Bellamy was found of winding up Alan Shearer during his time at St James Park and slagged of Coventry City after the Sky Blues had given him a chance the top flight. There were rumours that he has already fallen out with Robinho.

The Brazilian flattered to decieve himself, electric at home he often cut a lonely figure away from home. He was subsituted at Portsmouth and was dreadul when City lost at The Britannia. Contrast this to the home perfomance againt the Potters where he baqgged a hat trick or his goal against Arsenal. Not since the Yorkshie team of Boycott, Trueman, Illingworth and Close can such a rango of egos be found in one sports team. It is hard to imagine them all been kept happy. But then City know all about power struggles, however this one could be on the pitch rather then in the bardroom.

Potters in comfort zone?

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 10:27:52 -0500

I must admit I'm surprised at the lack of transfer activity6y at Stoke City, the Britannia has resembled the Fenton branch of Woolies in the summer months. Could it be that Pulis and the Potters feel they are safe in the land of milk and honey. The second syndrome is a present danger for all those in North Staffs. Ipswich Town finished fifth in there first season back in the top flight only to suffer relegation twelve months later.

Stoke have been linked with Michael Owen and Dean Ashton, both have proven goalscoring records but less then ideal fitness ones, more Holby City than Stoke City. The Fuller-Beattie partnership bore fruit at the tail end of last season and it's hard to picture Owen or Ashton willing to warm the subs bench. The seasons opening fixtures offer the prospect of a good start. Newly promoted Burnley visit The Brit on the opening day while Stoke play Birmingham City a week later. Pulis will feel his side will have too much nouse fr two of last seasons promoted clubs. But as the Potters and Hull showed last term how dangerous promoted clubs can be. In between City visit Anfield a ground where they gained a point last season.

So the signs are promising but are Stoke City taking things for granted? I fear for Burnley and Hull but three teams have to take the drop. Birmingham City and Wolves seem determinded to give it a go while Sunderland have promised a £50 million war chest to Steve Bruce. Of the rest the Lancastrian duo of Bolton and Wigan appear the most vulnerable.

Time to be brave, Blues

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:33:02 -0500

Well the fixtures are out and Birmingham City have been handed a nice trip to Old Trafford. This should be viewed as a fantastic challenge rather than a poisoned chalice. United have had slow starts to the last two campaigns. Reading and Newcastle secured draws at OT on the last two opening weekend. On the flip side both clubs suffered relegation the following May.

This in turn means City have played away from Eastlands for the last two opening matches. Can this be fair on 75% of Mancunians? I feel Blues can turn over Taggart and Co. otherwise why be in the Premier League? I firmly beleive that the a lot of teams facing the big four are beaten before a ball is kicked. However, Stoke are Fulham showed what can be acheived when turning over the Gooners and United. I heard an interview with David Sullivan which seemed illustrates this view perfectly. When asked about facing the big four in the first half of the season, Sulliivan replied "If we can hang on to Christmas we should be ok." Maybe we should stay at home and conceed the points.

To be fair to the board they do appear ro be showing some ambition at long last. Equador striker Christan Benetez has signed for a club record fee of £9 million while promising defender Scott Dann has joined from Cov. The signs are that further new faces will join before August. I hope the signings continue to be young and hungrey, rather than the Premier League gravy train which ended at St James Park. Owen, Smith, Duff and Nicky Butt had all seen better days before heading for Tyneside.

Phil Brown - A case for the defence

Wed, 27 May 2009 11:35:36 -0500

It was refreshing to see Hull City and Burnley take their places in next seasons Premier League. I was interested to see the adverse reaction to Phil Brown's KC Karoke. Love him or loathe him you can't deny that the 'tanned one' has overseen the most successful perid in the Humbersiders history.

Radio Five Mike Ingham took particular umbridge with Brown, suggesting Hull should be performing better. Hull's a big city was Ingham's tone, yes so is Birmingham and Newcastle and look what the Blues and Toon have done in the last two season. This was the Tigers first season in the top flight in their history, any Hull fan would have took 17th before a ball was kicked.

Brown's problem was the fantastic start to the season. The 2-1 win over Arsenal raised expectations as City flirted with the Champions League. The crash was always going to come this is the Premier League after all. Brown made mistakes of course, the infamous Eastlands half time talk caused divison between manager and players. Dean Windass was shunned despite scoring the goal that took Hull up. I'm convinced that Windass could have netted five of six goals.

Radio Five's Ingham compared Brown's antics to the reserved Roy Hodgson. Now I'm a massive Hodgson fan both as a man and a manager. But would'nt life be dull if everyone had the same personality. The media lapped up the antics of Cloughie and the Special One, so why dislike Brown to such an extent. Then it clicked with Ingham, he's a Derby County fan, the same Derby County who sacked Phil Brown after a year. Funny enough Hull gained more points by the start of October then the Rams did the previous season. Yes Brown's singing was cringe worthy but that was nothing on Derby and their pathetic one win last season.

Maybe the Geordie loving media are hacked off because Hull stayed up at the expense of Newcastle United and Alan Shearer. No one has a divine right to stay up just ask Spurs, Leeds, Forest, Villa, City and even United.

Match of The Day - A disgrace

Tue, 19 May 2009 11:43:40 -0500

It’s been a whille…as predicted Birmingham City have secured their place in the promised land, but I can’t say I am hopeful for next season. Manchester City continue to under achieve under Mark Hughs, once again I have my doubts. Roy Hodgson anyone? He’s never been given a chance at a big club in his native country.

I am however delighted by progress in the Potteries, Stoke City along with Fulham are my teams opf the season. Baseball caps of f to Tony Pulis, Ok, he may look like the oldest Asbo in town? You may expect him to be attached to a Staffordshire terrier in Hanley park but what a fantastic job he has done at The Britannia. Our Tone seems a nice guy too as his recent charity work shows.

But Sky and the BBC seem to have forgot that the Potters rxist, Stoke City feature in only three live Sky games, Which brings me to Match of the Day or aka Manchester United love in. The first thirty minutes of Saturday’s programme was devoted to United clinching the title. I acknowledge this was great achievement by a fantastic team but half an hour. Sky were no better as Jeff Stelling and Co. did not appear to five minutes before half time. I thought Fergie’s window cleaner was going to get interviewed..

The media seem obsessed with Old Trafford, even before the Albion v Liverpool game we were treated to more interviews from the theatre of dreams. Then Richard Keys rebuked Raffa for not congratulating Sir Alex, sorry I forgot that Fergie has always been gracious in defeat. The media love the big four and United in particular.. But this form of brain washing seems to working on the fans. I can admire the Baggies fans reaction following relegation but it did appear that the Hawthorns faithful have given up on adding to Albion’s glorious history. As late as the 80’s WBA were one of the country’s top clubs. Ron Atkinson, Cyrille Regis and co. thrashed United on a regular basis. West Bromwich Albion are a bigger club then Birmingham but they now seem resigned to a \yo-yo existence at best. Why can’t the black country club add to their five FA Cup victories? Have fans outside the big four stop believing? In the words of Fraser We’re doomed?

Home Sweet home?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:54:23 -0500

They say moving house is one of the most stressful l events in life, recent events would indicate this sentiment can equally be applied to football clubs. The aftermath of the weekend’s FA Cup Semi Finals centred on the poor state of the Wembley pitch/ Messer’s Ferguson, Wenger and Moyes understandably raised their concerns, as their players were asked to perform on a surface reassembling the local municipal golf course.

I can’t help feeling that FA are getting what they deserved, following their decision to move semi finals from neutral club grounds to the national stadium. The governing body once again put financial gain over tradition and are now forced to face the consequences. Ironically both White Hart Lane and Eastlands provided terrific pitches on Sunday. Many Evertonians and United fans would have also appreciated a shorter trip to City. The flip side is that more loyal fans get the opportunity to watch their heroes. But I doubt this was foremost in the FA’s decision to relocate.

But the Wembley scenario is a not an isolated case as many clubs have decided to move to new stadiums. But how many of these clubs have seen an improvement in playing performance coincide with an improvement in playing environment? Arsenal are the most high profile club to take the plunge when moving from Highbury to the Emirates. Since taking that decision the Gunners have failed to land a major trophy. Arsene Wenger claimed that Highbury’s limited capacity handicapped him in the transfer market. The Frenchman cited that Old Trafford 70,000 capacity gave Fergie a head start, yet a large percentage of the Professors reputation was based on his talent for unearthing low cost gems. Viera or Jeffers? I rest my case. If playing success was based merely on attendance figures Newcastle United would have a bulging trophy cabinet and Wimbledon would never have won the FA Cup.

It could be argued that the 2006 move actually hampered Wenger’s cause, as the North London club are in debt following the Emirates construction. The Gunners are also the only club in the top nine of the Premier League that have moved. Evidence lower done the food chain would suggest the grass is not always greener. Manchester City and Sunderland have hardly pulled up trees. While Coventry City, Leicester City and Southampton all suffered top flight relegation.

From the viewpoint of a disabled fan I can appreciate the need to improve facilities, particularly when I need the loo ten minutes before half time. In addition you are now provided with a far better view of the action. But new stadiums do lack character, as I enter the red door at The Britannia and the sky blue door at The Ricoh I probably have to knock the same amount of times to gain entrance. The basic .layout consists of a round bowl with seats, with a big screen tucked away in one corner.. I forgot to mention the use of different colour seats to spell out the clubs nickname or worse still sponsor. I hope they can spell at the Walkers Stadium? I know post Hillsborough that safety is the prime concern and rightly so, but do all stadiums have to look the same. I am a football ground not a number.

The Emirates

Give me penalties anytime

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:29:35 -0500

Life is full of what If’s? What if Ray Quinn had entered the X Factor a year before Leona Lewis? What if Amy Whitehouse had never gone to the Pub? Or Eric Cantona had signed for Sheffield Wednesday?

But as FA Cup Semi Final weekend approaches, Birmingham City fans will always ask “What if Joe Gallagher had stopped the ball trickling over the line in 1975?” For it was that moment that Blues lost the replayed FA Cup Semi Final to Fulham. Did I forget to mention it was in the last minute of extra time.

It all seemed to be going so right? Ok they had Bobby Moore but he was past it. They were Second Division after all and who had heard of Fulham playing in a FA Cup Final. See this lot off and Trevor Francis, in his penguin stripe would be gracing Wembley.

The fist game was played at Hillsborough, as most Semi Finals were before the tragic events of April 15^th 1989. By all accounts the underdogs from London dominated the game and deserved their 1-0 lead. But then young centre half Joe Gallagher hooked in an equaliser. How often do you hear that underdogs only get one chance, we will order those cup final suits now, flares very nice Mr Francis, suits you sir?

In the pre penalty shoot out days, replays were required so 20,000 Brummies trooped up to Maine Road four days later. This time City held sway. Hatton, Burns and TF bombarded the Cottagers goal,. Peter Mellor was having the game of his life in the Fulham goal. We must score soon.

Then it happened as the clock approached the 120 minute. Fulham crossed a ball from the left. Blues skipper Howard Kendall misjudged his header, putting the ball in the path of John Mitchell, the Fulham man prodded a shot towards goal which was blocked by Birmingham goalkeeper Dave Latchford, the ball rebounds into the hits Mitchell’s shoulder and trickles towards an unguarded goal, it’s going in, it’s effing going in, Gallagher’s leg is outstretched but it’s too late. A few thousand Fulham fans go crazy but 80% of Maine Road is silent. Burns and Francis kick off and the Ref blows for full time. First Division Birmingham City, FA Cup favourites are out.

Fulham went on to lose to West Ham in the final. This time Mellor had a nightmare gifting the Hammers both goals in a 2-0 win. Just our luck, he played a blinder at Maine Road. Three months later Birmingham City manager Freddie Goodwin is sacked following a poor start to the season. The Blues have never reached a FA Cup semi final since. I was only three at the time, but that match still gets mentioned regularly, the Birmingham magazine interviews fans about experiences. Worst moment? Maine Road 1975 appears often. The same publication even did an excellent article on the two games

I may have been tucked up in bed that night but the video nasty can be found on youtube. You Villa fans can google Fulham v Birmingham 1975 and an early Christmas present will appear.. Fast forward twenty years and John Mitchell is enjoying a Spanish holiday, the company of his fellow holidays makers is terrific , funny a lot of them have Birmingham accents. Then it happened, hang on, Mitchell aren’t you that sod who scored against the Blues. For the rest of the holiday John cut a slightly lonelier figure. That is a true story.

Below: Fulham survve again.

Have City lost their Champagne Supernova?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:49:06 -0500

Tomorrow night Manchester City play their most important game for twenty five years, Martin Jol’s Hamburg visit Eastlands holding a 3-1 lead in the UEFA Cup Quarter Finals. City are a club dear to my heart. It all stems back to 1989 when promotion chasing City visited St Andrews for a clash in the old Second Davison.

It was the era of the inflatable banana at Maine Road, legend has it that a section of City fans had trouble pronouncing Imra Varadi’s name and christened the much travelled striker banana. I remember the wonderful sight of 2000 yellow inflatable objects been raised in triumph when Gleghorn and Morley netted in a 2-0 win.. Five months later City crushed United 5-1 in the Manchester derby. It looked as though Fergie would depart but it was Mel Machin who was sown the door in Moss Side. Yes Manchester City have always been a little different.

They remain the only club to win the to flight and suffer relegation the following season.. In the 1960’s a manager recovering from an heart attack and a flash Cockney made City one of the best teams in Europe let alone Manchester. But then Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison fell out and the bad times returned. Would we change City? Gray shades are dull after all.

Sadly in recent year City have changed, mid table mediocrity is now the staple diet for Sky Blue followers. It is so predictable, who asked to the new Tottenham? The Third Division was more the ticket, we had Kinkladze and Goater then. No one sings about Robinho away from home, he may as well be in the Trafford Centre once a fortnight. Then there is the manager, he is from that other lot, we don’t sing about him either. More chance of a George Bush appreciation society been formed in Baghdad.

Element of madness do still exist as the richest club in the World trails Fulham and Wigan. Then there was the decision to sack Sven after finishing in the best position for years. Mark Hughes is due to meet the owners before the Hamburg game. Even City fans long for a little glory.. Now where is Big Mall’s fedora?

Big Four on a different plant

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 10:18:44 -0500

Remember those puzzle books that featured a variety of games and challenges, they made many a motorway journey a bit more enjoyable. Aside from the ever popular word searches, spot the difference was always my favourite. Two similar pictures containing subtle differences would be displayed, leaving budding Morse and Marples the task of identifying the deliberate mistakes.

In football terms you don’t need to be Hansen or Gray to spot the difference between St Andrews on Monday evening and Anfield last night. While the Blues 2-0 win was satisfying, it was hardly a showcase for the beautiful game as two Midlands sides slogged their guts out on a quagmire of a pitch. At one point I did glimpse the round thing touch the brown, sorry green pitch. The main talking point was Lee Carsley’s horror tackle which would even be frowned on in WWF circles. I was expecting the crowds to bust into a chorus ‘It‘s like watching Beirut.” at some point.

Fast forward 48 hours and Lampard, Essien and co. are passing the ball for fun. Raffa’s boys hardly got a look in during the second half, yes it was the same Raffa boys who put Villa and Fulham to the sword. In an ordinary season the game proved a rare treat, only November’s Arsenal-United clash could equal last night in terms of quality. Surely it can be no coincidence that each of the Big Four participated in those games.

In fairness to Blues and Wolves they are not members of the elite Premier, but if truth be known 16 members of that select group aspire only to finish 5^th. I doubt the Humber bridge would fill the gap between the Emirates and Villa Park. So can you spot the different between the two games? it’s rather like asking Sid James to choose between Barbara Windsor and Hattie Jacques.