Birmingham City at home match thread

[Glen hump]

8 minutes ago, maxjak said:

We have sold the best 2 players at our club, and our one quality striker is missing for 3 months.  At present we are looking like a mid table side.  But..............we have 25 mill in the bank, and regular gates of over 20k.   Wage ceiling or not?  We either  need  to bring in a new forward and some quality in midfield or resign ourselves to an average season?  It's early days, but the signs are not encouraging with our current set up.  So do we   stick or twist  ?     

Sl needs to put up , next couple of weeks will show us if he’s still interested in the club.

[CityCiderEd]

39 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

How is this goalscorer going to score when we create nothing some games, precious little in others????

We need a better midfield - at least one, if not two, mobile players who can receive and pass the ball without everyone holding their breath in trepidation. Then the goalscoring will take care of itself. 

We definitely need someone upfront that is capable of being able to beat a defender in the air. We hit so many hopeful balls in the air directed at small forwards and very rarely get a chance from a knockdown.

[Superjack]

1 minute ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

Got anyone with a spare 15 million to chuck away each year to take over?

Pointless comment. 

If he hadn't 'chucked away' so much at the wrong times to the wrong people, he might have seen more progress on the pitch.

[BigTone]

4 minutes ago, RedM said:

Difficult one. Do we cross our fingers and hope for a result like against Millwall or do we get someone in. Can we afford to wait 3 months and carry on without Conway, it's a lot to put all our hopes on him. 

No we can't wait

[DaveF]

17 minutes ago, BasSavage88 said:

Same old bluster, he's always done it and it keeps the happy clappers on side. Rrrrr nige is one of us sees it likes it is etc etc 

Yes can we go back to the days of LJ talking nonsense please?

[BasSavage88]

Just now, DaveF said:

Yes can we go back to the days of LJ talking nonsense please?

Is that the only other option? Pearson has always done it and the usual lot on here fall for it hook line and sinker every ******* time. 

[Superjack]

5 minutes ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

He won’t be here at Christmas if we carry on and that’s not me wanting him gone, I just don’t think he and SL see eye to eye. We know how that ends, I think Nige deserves much better backing wise. 

He won't back someone that is more popular than him. That's the crux of it, and it's been proven.

[BasSavage88]

2 minutes ago, Superjack said:

He won't back someone that is more popular than him. That's the crux of it, and it's been proven.

Is he more popular? Pearsons team has been booed off every home game so far 

[ashton_fan]

We mustn't panic because we've lost one game. If we'd gone in 0-0 at half time I wouldn't have been too disappointed, we dominated possession for long spells and neither team had much in front of goal. It's always more difficult chasing the game and we lost our composure second half and made some simple errors, the sending off was a kick in the teeth. Let's wait and see where we are after ten games, Nige still isn't sure what his best 11 are yet (like last season).

[Superjack]

Just now, BasSavage88 said:

Is he more popular? Pearsons team has been booed off every home game so far 

So two then.

[Simon bristol]

Typical bristol city, won one, drawn one, lost one against mid table opponents, we all knew scott was going, where is the plan to replace him. As soon as conway got injured clearly there was a huge problem… did any one really expect any better?

[Bris Red]

5 minutes ago, Andy082005 said:

It’s a tough one. Personally I don’t see Pearson here past this season - who knows, he may even be gone sooner - is it really a good idea giving him more money? 

Depends doesn’t it, if Lansdown has made his mind up on Pearson then IMO that would be premature and knee-jerk. He has  been given absolute buttons to spend and has been forced to sell his best players. Hardly been a fair craic at the whip has it.

 

[Better Red]

I thought the game was fairly even.

They had a bit more threat upfront and more shots on goal.

Bell through the middle is actually mental.

How anybody thinks that could work does not know football -Sorry Nige

Cornick is never worth a start. Not sure what he actually is and I don’t think he knows. I would off load as a make in a deal for a Striker if possible.

Today could be a good result if it brings a sense to the men upstairs.

We need desperately someone with more physicality upfront who will make the oppositions CB work and think about what they need to do.

No disrespect to Sam but they must have laughed when they saw he was playing through the middle.

Creativity is a problem but that is a ‘special’ type of player that is not easy to find or recruit.  

But we do need something that means James and Williams don’t play together as to much of the same.

I actually thought Knight was ok and not as bad as some have said.

One or 2 players in could make a massive difference to this season.

 

 

[mozo]

24 minutes ago, Bris Red said:

Fair shout, pretty much sees it as most of us fans do. He will know more than anyone that we need more creative additions to the squad. Over to you now Mr Lansdown..

My criticism of Nige there, and this come from someone that thinks he's done a good job here, is that he's just blamed the players. He's blamed the defender for the goal, and blamed Wells for his miss. It's not easy to come off the bench and take your one chance. And why did we not create any chances prior to the Wells miss.

So Nige not doing the diplomatic leadership move of taking responsibility for the performance of the team, which may imply he knows that SL is waiting for him to trip up, or maybe not.

[Red-Robbo]

32 minutes ago, winsaw said:

Not seen a city them that bad in a long time, we had no ideas, it truly was men against boys, we lost the midfield battle almost from the first whistle forcing us to play down the wings the whole match when attacking just as Birmingham wanted us to, 

It's the lack of having any idea how to do anything different I found most disappointing there was no plan B, the subs didn't make much sense to me, 

A poor day all around

 

THIS is where we need to spend what cash we have.

We had two defensive midfielders - James and Williams. We have Knight, who, in the two games I've watched him, offers less of a threat to the opposition goal than I do from Row 34.

We've just lost a highly creative midfielder who, although he wasn't the most physical, could spot a defence-splitting pass.

We need someone with that creativity, vision and to just break-up play going straight down the centre towards us. 

Hearing Pearson's interview on RB on the way back from that, didn't exactly inspire me that we're getting anyone. 

[REDOXO]

Today we were bloody awful!! 
 

But it’s August!

[Midred]

15 minutes ago, BasSavage88 said:

Is that the only other option? Pearson has always done it and the usual lot on here fall for it hook line and sinker every ******* time. 

Any suggestions who you think should be manager/coach?

[Bazooka Joe]

33 minutes ago, Malvern Red said:

Supporting Bristol City is like treading water in a slowly draining pool 

Do you reckon we're going drown?

[Sleepy1968]

We're being called 'Bristol' on Soccer Saturday now.

[BasSavage88]

Just now, Midred said:

Any suggestions who you think should be manager/coach?

This shit every time  boring 

[Baldyman]

1 hour ago, Gert Mare said:

This beginning to look like an LJ team. Players thinking that they are earning their wage by being safe and playing it sideways. 

The more I watch Sam Bell the more he looks like an under 14 trying to play men’s football. Lightweight, getting knocked off the ball and can’t kick the ball hard enough to deliver a cross.

Think we’re in for a frustrating season again.

Totally agree regarding Bell . Looked like a child playing against men , not a 21 year old ! Vyner’s passing today was an embarrassment. Williams’ passing was not much better and Pring just can’t or won’t get up and back ! Cornick couldn’t cross his fingers today but let’s face it , a winger he ain’t ! Haven’t felt so pissed off and deflated in a long time

[Midred]

1 minute ago, BasSavage88 said:

This shit every time  boring 

Where's the aubergine emoji when I need it?

[Baldyman]

15 minutes ago, Simon bristol said:

Typical bristol city, won one, drawn one, lost one against mid table opponents, we all knew scott was going, where is the plan to replace him. As soon as conway got injured clearly there was a huge problem… did any one really expect any better?

We’ve been parading Scott in the club shop window with a bloody great “ For sale” sign round his neck for almost 12 months . It beggars belief that we seem to have had no plan to strengthen the squad with any investment worth the name . 

[Baba Yaga]

Was worried as soon as I saw the front 3 with Wells dropped, it reminded me of Swansea away last season and unfortunately played out the same score. Although I was quite pleased with performance to begin with until that Birmingham no 6 went down injured and we lost momentum. Then really disappointed with that 2nd half and no shots on target throughout. Poor performance but not panicking just yet.

[BasSavage88]

4 minutes ago, Midred said:

Where's the aubergine emoji when I need it?

It's not my job to find a replacement and even if I came up with 3 names it would make no difference. It's arbitrary and a waste of time. 

[Red Ferret]

12 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

THIS is where we need to spend what cash we have.

We had two defensive midfielders - James and Williams. We have Knight, who, in the two games I've watched him, offers less of a threat to the opposition goal than I do from Row 34.

We've just lost a highly creative midfielder who, although he wasn't the most physical, could spot a defence-splitting pass.

We need someone with that creativity, vision and to just break-up play  

 

Agree with this. Naismith starting in midfield will help a bit. If we had the luxury to do so then I would even experiment with Vyner in midfield. The guy is good at passing the ball forwards compared to the crab-like Williams and Knight who just seem to just shuffle the ball left and right a bit and calling it a days work

[Kingswood Robin]

8 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

THIS is where we need to spend what cash we have.

We had two defensive midfielders - James and Williams. We have Knight, who, in the two games I've watched him, offers less of a threat to the opposition goal than I do from Row 34.

We've just lost a highly creative midfielder who, although he wasn't the most physical, could spot a defence-splitting pass.

We need someone with that creativity, vision and to just break-up play going straight down the centre towards us. 

Hearing Pearson's interview on RB on the way back from that, didn't exactly inspire me that we're getting anyone. 

Midfield and forward line for me. If we can't do both then improve the midfield with more creativity and the forward line will also benefit. Birmingham appeared to have several players that could go past people in central midfield and just left me thinking who can do that for us? No real purpose to our play, slow, predictable hit and hope. No incisive quality on show.

As for Pearson talking about big moments for us, I can recall a pass to Bell that was offside in the first half and the Wells miss. That was it.

[Rob k]

52 minutes ago, BasSavage88 said:

Same old bluster, he's always done it and it keeps the happy clappers on side. Rrrrr nige is one of us sees it likes it is etc etc 

Such a boring phrase 

[Hxj]

Nothing better than than an OTIB meltdown on a Saturday after three games in the season.

Well done!

Completely irrational - but well done!

[1960maaan]

That , in the words of Talksport , was a dog with fleas. 
We did have spells we pushed them back, but with very little actual threat. The number of bad passes was ridiculous, from the first minute we tried to thread the eye of a needle with passes and they had a field day picking them off . I don't know what Pearson was thinking with Bell down the middle, though I don't think he got a fair shake from the Ref, he lacks presence and looked better wide. That and starting Cornick over Sykes baffled me. I mentioned the Ref and while he had no bearing on the result I thought he was very lenient towards them and picky with us. From where I was Dickies 2nd booking was incredibly harsh, yet there were a couple of 2 footed tackles he let go.

No argument with result, it was what we deserved, we were poor from the first minute, the passing was as bad as I can remember.  Vyner being able to switch play can be a real weapon, today if his pass wasn't cut out he found the 3rd row of the stand, similar can be said of almost all of them. 
I would guess our MotM would be someone scoring about 6 out of 10. Funny enough , though I knew Williams would come off, he was about the best player on the pitch for us when they made the change. 

2 poor performances in the first 2 home games doesn't bode well, we need to get it together quickly. Not sure where the cohesion , tempo and team work from last week went , but we looked a shadow of the side that beat Millwall. Pearson needs a good week to hope to get something at Hull.

[sludge]

Same problem for as long as I can remember- we get outmuscled time after time and never recruit any players with strength. Always lightweight 

[pj76]

the best movement I saw all afternoon were the red and white paper planes drifting down to the corner flag

[Mattredrobin]

1 hour ago, Andy082005 said:

Genuine question to anyone - are we evolving ? Are we any better now then we were 12 months ago? If anything it looks like we have gone backwards. I don’t think we had a shot on target today 
 

Have certain players improved? 
 

I swear all we see are clubs like Birmingham, who were an absolute car crash of a club - go through their transition and then go gliding past us 

I think we are but very slowly there certainly are players who have improved but there are some that haven't. The club has spent far to much and Pearson has had to pick up the pieces of that. It takes time but you don't get time these days sadly. 

One thing that you can't argue with is the players have always given 100% under Pearson....today that wasn't evident and that's what worries me. Its only 3 games I know and the window is still open but the way Pearson has been talking sounds to me like we won't be getting anyone in. If we don't I really fear for us. 

[Offside]

Such a disappointing performance. What happened to the high energy style we are meant to be adopting? I saw it from Brum, who were hungrier than us throughout, but not from us. 

We started very slowly. Then as we began to try to get a grip on the game we gave the ball away, which ultimately led to their first goal. Second half with Sykes on and Bell wide we stretched them more, but apart from the chance Wells didn’t put away we created nothing.
 

Too much pedestrian football played at walking pace and far too many basic errors. 

[tin]

5 hours ago, tin said:

Seen the starting XI and I think we might be in for a tough afternoon. I rate Brum’s FBs - Laird and Buchanan - Beilik and Sunjic are decent at this level, I like Dembele and Hogan had a great record against us. 

Their Achilles heel is at CB, IMO, and I guess that’s why Bell and Mehmeti start as they have pace to get in behind. But if Mehmeti’s on the left and Cornick’s on the right, I don’t think Bell’s all-round game is suitable to play through the middle. That said, go get them, boys. First big test for us today IMO. 

And that rang out very true. As predicted, Bell didn’t do enough for me again, I was disappointed in Mehmeti, and I’m struggling to see what Cornick offers beyond a long throw. 

Birmingham look a good side, though, and I expect them to be there or thereabouts this season. They’ve got rid of 13 players for £5.5m and replaced them with nine new signings for £4.7m.

While our season won’t be defined on today, we need to sign proven quality at this level before the window shuts IMO.

[ralphindevon]

I’m not sure if you can blame Pearson or not but too many players just playing below par today.

At least 3 times players let passes go over there foot and out for a throw. I mean you wouldn’t see that on the Downs. Poor! 

[REDOXO]

8 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

I’m not sure if you can blame Pearson or not but too many players just playing below par today.

At least 3 times players let passes go over there foot and out for a throw. I mean you wouldn’t see that on the Downs. Poor! 

Yes I agree with that. 
 

Not starting Sykes and Wells was a real issue if anyone is looking to hang anything on Pearson. However if you can’t run pass trap or shoot you have a bigger problem. 
 

Im not sure what the issue is, but today was awful all over the field. Despite this very obvious fact Nakhi missed an open goal which would have been a game changer!

[frenchred]

If that performance today is what we got to look forward to this will be a very very long season

[95red]

Poor again  at home, possession  football  don't suit us ,teams at ashton  gate will take us  off .

 

[Bodiesaffer]

Second best today, poor movement, didn’t pass it well at all.  Too many off their game.  Wells scores and we could of saved a point.  Sam had no effect up top, keep him as the left of the 3.  Zak’s choice of pass was shocking today.  Pointless red card.  Brum looked solid tbh.

[Mr Popodopolous]

40 minutes ago, tin said:

And that rang out very true. As predicted, Bell didn’t do enough for me again, I was disappointed in Mehmeti, and I’m struggling to see what Cornick offers beyond a long throw. 

Birmingham look a good side, though, and I expect them to be there or thereabouts this season. They’ve got rid of 13 players for £5.5m and replaced them with nine new signings for £4.7m.

While our season won’t be defined on today, we need to sign proven quality at this level before the window shuts IMO.

They also got £10m in Bellingham sell-on money.

[ralphindevon]

I’ve only read a fraction of stuff on here so probably missed it but also heard nothing mentioned on radio Bristol driving home.

I thought Yeboah was a real live wire when he came on. Caused them a few problems. A definite plus from today.

[RedM]

2 hours ago, BigTone said:

No we can't wait

That's my belief too. It's a huge gamble whatever we do, but I really think we cannot afford to be playing catch up all season, which is my fear we we just cross our fingers. At least right now the window is open and we can in effect do something. Okay there are no guarantees we can bring in success, but I would we more upset if we didn't at least take the opportunity to try to.

[ralphindevon]

16 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

They also got £10m in Bellingham sell-on money.

And apparently around a dozen big earners contracts finish next summer so a Brummie was telling me, so presumably will be able to really kick on then.

[mozo]

14 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

I’ve only read a fraction of stuff on here so probably missed it but also heard nothing mentioned on radio Bristol driving home.

I thought Yeboah was a real live wire when he came on. Caused them a few problems. A definite plus from today.

Yes, Yeboah looks promising. I'd keep him in the mix!

[tin]

24 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

They also got £10m in Bellingham sell-on money.

True, but that still doesn’t come close to the £35m net profit we’ve taken this calendar year and yet we’ve reinvested a small fraction of that, compared to Brum.

[Mr Popodopolous]

15 minutes ago, ralphindevon said:

And apparently around a dozen big earners contracts finish next summer so a Brummie was telling me, so presumably will be able to really kick on then.

That can assist but Year 1 of that is still a £25m pre tax loss. I'm not certain on their figures but happy to look further..they've pound for pound spent a lot more than we have this summer relative to past losses.

Edited August 19, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

6 minutes ago, tin said:

True, but that still doesn’t come close to the £35m net profit we’ve taken this calendar year and yet we’ve reinvested a small fraction of that, compared to Brum.

Oh very much so. Before Bellingham x 2 they had lost £25m before tax in each of 2021-22 and 2022-23, give or take. Our business we could do some more for even say two PL loanees and not even touch the sides FFP wise.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

9 hours ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Good point, though a cap solves that.

Or sun glasses or welding visor 

[Glenn jonrs]

We just had a bad day all teams have them it's part of the game and we will have a few more before the end of the season but we won't get relegated and we won't get promoted but we will finish in 8th place 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

9 hours ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Good point, though a cap solves that.

Or sun glasses or welding visor 

Not seen the post match presser from Nige yet ?

[Dr Balls]

52 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

They also got £10m in Bellingham sell-on money.

True. But they have still spent more than us (despite the money for Semenyo and Scott) plus they have cast their net for recruitment wider than League 1, which seems to be the only place we are looking to get players.

[Mr Popodopolous]

Just now, Dr Balls said:

True. But they have still spent more than us (despite the money for Semenyo and Scott) plus they have cast their net for recruitment wider than League 1, which seems to be the only place we are looking to get players.

More and as a ratio, percentage certainly even more so.

[Dr Balls]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

More and as a ratio, percentage certainly even more so.

Yet I was under the impression that Birmingham were far more at risk of FFP than us.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

Got anyone with a spare 15 million to chuck away each year to take over?

If he is chucking 15m away a year, well its his investment from HIS sh1te choices thats got us to where we are today, you cant blame the managers/staff he has brought in and the players they have brought in; HIS MONEY HIS CLUB HIS MESS.

Will he be getting no pay back when he does sell up? sooner the better imo we are stale and lack ambition....sorry my opinion.

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

Yet I was under the impression that Birmingham were far more at risk of FFP than us.

They are or have been.

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, wtf said:

If he is chucking 15m away a year, well its his investment from HIS sh1te choices thats got us to where we are today, you cant blame the managers/staff he has brought in and the players they have brought in; HIS MONEY HIS CLUB HIS MESS.

Will he be getting no pay back when he does sell up? sooner the better imo we are stale and lack ambition....sorry my opinion.

 

The plus side is every pound that SL converts to equity is one pound less that we need to repay him so that's good.

Whether it would be included as part of the asking price it remains to be seen, only SL knows that.

Edited August 19, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[Guest]

23 minutes ago, Glenn jonrs said:

We just had a bad day all teams have them it's part of the game and we will have a few more before the end of the season but we won't get relegated and we won't get promoted but we will finish in 8th place 

We have needed a proper goalscoring forward for ...well quite a while, there is always a reason why we dont/havent signed one like, we have no money, wait until the next window and see how we go; FF;, prem relegated teams are better; they have better managers; we are building etc, etc

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

The plus side is every pound that SL converts to equity is one pound less that we need to repay him so that's good.

Whether it would be included as part of the asking price it remains to be seen, only SL knows that.

fools and there money are soon parted, SL is no fool and hasnt been since H and L; footballing decisions have been wayward to say the least but his pockets will never be empty.

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, wtf said:

fools and there money are soon parted, SL is no fool and hasnt been since H and L; footballing decisions have been wayward to say the least but his pockets will never be empty.

The point is a new owner may owe said equity, the club as an entity or Bristol City Holdings as an equity would not.

Anyway maybe it should go on the SL thread.

[ashton_fan]

That's 5 wins in the last 6 for Brum at AG, last season being the exception so we've been here before. PNE also have a very good record here so maybe we've just been unlucky to have those as the first two home games.  Perhaps we should wait and see how we do against some of the teams that traditionally struggle here before we rush to judgement.

[sludge]

12 minutes ago, ashton_fan said:

That's 5 wins in the last 6 for Brum at AG, last season being the exception so we've been here before. PNE also have a very good record here so maybe we've just been unlucky to have those as the first two home games.  Perhaps we should wait and see how we do against some of the teams that traditionally struggle here before we rush to judgement.

Still boils my pee pee that we continue to look so lightweight against the more physical teams year in, year out. 
Surely to improve our league position we need to start picking up more points against these type of teams? Yet our recruitment continually fails to address this. 

[Red-Robbo]

1 hour ago, sludge said:

Still boils my pee pee that we continue to look so lightweight against the more physical teams year in, year out. 
Surely to improve our league position we need to start picking up more points against these type of teams? Yet our recruitment continually fails to address this. 

Unlike against Preston, I didn't think the main problem today was that we couldn't physically compete - we had a lightweight attacking line at the start, granted, but we are missing Conway and Weimann. 

Preston were a big burly side. This lot weren't.  Their midfielder who scored the first goal looked like a mascot!

We simply didn't pass as well, link up as well,  organise as well, or show as much attacking intent as Birmingham.

What disappoints so much, is we know these players can - and have - played better. 

 

[Reefer Madness]

I'm really not sure what people expected this season

 

Sold the creative spark of the team.  Forwards that don't score enough between them and a very very average defence... It's going to be a long year

[luke_bristol]

1 hour ago, Reefer Madness said:

I'm really not sure what people expected this season

 

Sold the creative spark of the team.  Forwards that don't score enough between them and a very very average defence... It's going to be a long year

I think the fans made it clear two years ago that we weren’t gonna put up with Holden-ball. Yesterday felt like a horrible relapse.

[sludge]

8 hours ago, Red-Robbo said:

Unlike against Preston, I didn't think the main problem today was that we couldn't physically compete - we had a lightweight attacking line at the start, granted, but we are missing Conway and Weimann. 

Preston were a big burly side. This lot weren't.  Their midfielder who scored the first goal looked like a mascot!

We simply didn't pass as well, link up as well,  organise as well, or show as much attacking intent as Birmingham.

What disappoints so much, is we know these players can - and have - played better. 

 

Fair points. However I still think that on the whole Birmingham looked stronger than us and that we will continue to struggle against teams with more physicality than us particularly at home. Be delighted to be wrong though. 

[Red-Robbo]

1 hour ago, sludge said:

Fair points. However I still think that on the whole Birmingham looked stronger than us and that we will continue to struggle against teams with more physicality than us particularly at home. Be delighted to be wrong though. 

Sam Bell, for all his great attributes, is not an Antoine Semenyo who can hold off defenders and get a shot off. 

The question is, do we wait for the return of Conway, who is as near as we get to a forward who can do that, or do we splurge all our Scott cash on a tall, physically strong forward who, when everyone's fit, will be the 5th attacker in the team?

[Bazooka Joe]

Groundhog Day 

"We were out-muscled (by physically stronger opponents) . . ."

"We were out-sung . . ."

I'm sick of seeing and hearing this sh*t.

Things need fixing on and off the pitch. 

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Bazooka Joe

[Mr Popodopolous]

14 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

Sam Bell, for all his great attributes, is not an Antoine Semenyo who can hold off defenders and get a shot off. 

The question is, do we wait for the return of Conway, who is as near as we get to a forward who can do that, or do we splurge all our Scott cash on a tall, physically strong forward who, when everyone's fit, will be the 5th attacker in the team?

Ah Semenyo. Was thinking about him before yesterdays game, abour how he ran Birmingham ragged in January. Was a bit unplayable at times that day.

[Red-Robbo]

3 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Ah Semenyo. Was thinking about him before yesterdays game, abour how he ran Birmingham ragged in January. Was a bit unplayable at times that day.

 

I guess one of the reasons that the Brummie fans celebrated yesterday as though they'd won the league is that many of them will have memories of visiting in January and watching their side get humped. When Sykse's fourth went in, it was their fans streaming out.

They're a very different proposition these days, that's for sure. What I'm wondering is how they could afford these 7 quality newcomers. The fee for Chong can't have been that much from Luton, so what was their Bellingham sell-on bonanza?  They only averaged 16K crowds at St Andrews last season.