Birmingham City away match thread

[The Journalist]

Think we’ve controlled the game without having any real cutting edge. That said, if Mehmeti scores one of his two very good chances we’d all be describing it as the perfect away performance so far.

I’ve not seen us much under Manning so far - we seem more patient in and out of possession and less aggressive in and out of possession.

Not saying one is better than the other, but that would be my observation at a very basic level.

[Robin101]

This feels very familiar territory for us vs. Birmingham.

Normally we lose 1-0 to a 70th min headed corner.

[One Team]

A very drab first half from both teams. Certainly winnable but Mehmeti in particular needs to make more of the half chances. Williams looking pretty decent in midfield though. 

[Out of his pie crust]

Would be nice to show some more of the bravery on the ball in their half we show in our half. Knight started to take the ball on the half turn a bit more towards the end of the half which is unlocking them

Edited December 29, 2023 by Out of his pie crust

[RollsRoyce]

1 minute ago, And Its Smith said:

Quite a few players read the forum after the game. Just seems that he has done well recently but is 45 mins away from fans turning again 

Any player who reads a fan's forum is insane. They tell you to avoid social media comments in any top-line sport. 

[MelksRed]

Just now, Lew-T said:

I’m getting a little nervy when Max is passing around the back. Pitch isn’t for it.

This makes me incredibly nervous. Would be awful to lose a winning run due to a misplaced pass...

[REDOXO]

58 minutes ago, Ghost Rider said:

Why is that funny @REDOXO? Do you not think that the way we’re playing at the moment suits Wells more? 

I think we have a lot of games over a short period and ConwAy needs a rest. 
 

We are a lot more intent on possession today. Does that suit Wells more, I don’t know. However when we start to really stretch them we will see what happens. 

[johnheadbcfc]

Just now, red panda said:

Eh? He's indisputably had a poor first half, aren't we allowed to say that? 

But of course

[Dolman Block B]

 Possesion 

Birmingham 21% City 79% 
 

 

Edited

Edited December 29, 2023 by Dolman Block B

[Baldyman]

1 minute ago, ExiledAjax said:

I've watched dull football in my time ...but my goodness. 

It feels like we can win this but we need to change something. 

Not sure about Max not launching it once. I know his kicking isn't incredible but surely mixing in one or two launches might at least make the opponent think?

Not awful, but pretty flat and uninspiring imo.

We need Bell and Conway on for their pace . Nahki’s been passive so far . The game’s there for the taking if we’re brave ! 

[Lew-T]

1 minute ago, Baldyman said:

Clear to see that we’re not a team that thrives on possession . We’ve beaten 3 attacking teams who were trying to win the game in recent weeks and Brums nervousness and lack of ambition seems to have stumped us ! 

That’s been the case when sides have come to AG and sat in. Just need to move the ball that bit quicker…

[BCFC Rich]

Well, I'd say controlled, but a bit dull. Not helped by a pretty terrible atmosphere. We've had some okay chances mostly through crosses from Sykes. A few lazy passes here and there would like us to sharpen up a bit. 

Side note - interesting to see the difference between Wells and TC. To me, Wells seems to occupy defenders/make space by sitting a little deeper and pressing hard. Where as TC seems to occupy defenders more with his positioning, and moving them around.

[Glen hump]

3 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Quite a few players read the forum after the game. Just seems that he has done well recently but is 45 mins away from fans turning again 

Bit of a overreaction, he’s been poor so far , we are aloud to criticise sometimes.

[Jerseybean]

First half reflections.

45 minutes of poor quality football, which was sloppy, stuttering, and frustrating.

Their press has made us look uncomfortable at the back on numerous occasions, And so far key players in the attacking third have been uninspiring, AM should of at least hit the target with his header on the edge of the 6 yard box.

Knight, Memheti and Sykes, the players who often spark a bit of creativity, have been found wanting so far.

Feels to me like we need to get the ball out wide quicker and more often so that Memheti and Sykes can really attack down the wings.

Plenty for LM to focus on in his halftime talk, we can play much much better than this as we showed last time out.

 

 

[Ivorguy]

I am not convinced Wells can be used as a lone striker. We desperately need striker reinforcements

[And Its Smith]

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Dirty kit?

Bloody ell Dave, you had an epiphany over Xmas?

I can’t remember calling for a player to be yanked at half time but happy to be shown where I have! 

[You Do The Dziekanowski]

1 minute ago, Super said:

We've controlled the game just lacking in the final 3rd. Overall a decent half.

Someone else who’s watching the same game as me! 

 

As proven, we don’t have the ability to unlock teams who sit deep, having the ball in midfield and defence, on occasion, is drawing them out and giving us space to get into 

 

More chances will come second half

[MelksRed]

1 minute ago, Robin101 said:

This feels very familiar territory for us vs. Birmingham.

Normally we lose 1-0 to a 70th min headed corner.

You're not supposed to jinx it. 

[Davefevs]

FWIW a first half, scrappy at times that we’ve controlled.

Pitch is lively, causing players to take a bit more time / care to get it under.  Probably deliberate watering of pitch to give us less time to string it together.

Some nice passages.  Two good chances for Mehmeti.  Sykes has the beating of Longelo.  As Knight saw more of the ball, we started to look better.  The Bagpuss of Bristol City.  When Knight comes to life so do all the mice in the mouse-organ!

[The turtle]

How we are playing and how good a game is are two different things.

For a clear idea just how that half was, the atmosphere has been utterly sucked out of all sides of the stadium, including the away end. I mean nothing much happened of note, some of the passing in our own box was madness, and whenever a chance between lines did come= over hit or poor pass.

 

At the same time, as the away side i imagine players and management will be pleased. Birmingham have been more or less nullified and what little threat there is has come from us 

Edited December 29, 2023 by The turtle

[ZiderEyed]

Just to inject some positivity, Knight a cut above last 10 of that half. We’ve done a job on Derby.

[Ecko]

Let's have it right, Birmingham are ******* shit.

[Davefevs]

Just now, And Its Smith said:

I can’t remember calling for a player to be yanked at half time but happy to be shown where I have! 

Dave, Dave, Dave…in the past you’ve been happy to give players like Wells stick as soon as he breathed!

[Woofyourkipper]

4 minutes ago, lenred said:

Yep.  Always got to be one!

Ffs

[DaveF]

2 minutes ago, Dolman Block B said:

 Possesion 

Birmingham 21% City 69%
 

 

 

What happened to the other 10%?

[bcfcnick]

Maybe Conway for Mehmeti although the latter is unpredictable and could have a storming second half. It's just we will get more chances and need players who can take them more clinically. Conway scored two cracking goals cutting in from the left when he came on as sub in his first game back and would link up with Wells. 

[marcofisher]

3 minutes ago, Fuber said:

He's being hampered by the fact he's stood almost man to man, Tanner needs to overlap more. The threat of it would force a cover and eliminate the 1v2 doubling up.

Meanwhile TGH needs to get closer to Anis when latter cuts in. No option when he cut inside to another 2v1 towards the latter end of that half.

Small issues are accumulating to a very mediocre performance. Sloppy passes, too casual.

We are playing a back 3 with Tanner as the third centre half on the build up. McRorie said it on comms, so Tanner is not overlapping for that reason.

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

2 minutes ago, Dolman Block B said:

 Possesion 

Birmingham 21% City 69%
 

 

 

Who had the other 10% ?

[ZiderEyed]

Just now, The turtle said:

How we are playing and how good a game is are two different things.

For a clear idea just how that half was, the atmosphere has been utterly sucked out of the sides of the stadium, including the away end. I mean nothing much happened of note, some of the passing in our own box was madness, and whenever a chance between lines did come= over hit or poor pass.

 

At the same time, as the away side i imagine players and management will be pleased. Birmingham have been more or less nullified and what little threat there is has come from us 

I thought the atmosphere was particularly poor on my dodgy Belarusian stream, sounds flat as anything. Rooneyball putting the Northerners in a coma clearly.

[spudski]

Gotta get Knight and Sykes into the game more. Both making it happen when they get the ball on the right. 

It's not clicking down the left. 

Both Mehmetti and Pring bought trampolines for boots tonight. 

Fingers crossed they find their touch again. 

 

[pongo88]

I said earlier in the thread that everything about Birmingham is dull and drab. The first 45 minutes confirms this. It just needs City to create and take a chance to put some pressure on Birmingham. If they go one down the natives might become restless. 

[Red Exile]

Frenetic. Busy bees doesn't do us justice. Fascinating to watch. We look the more likely but there's no time to sit back and reflect.

[old_eastender]

Mehmeti has at least been involved, as we are predominantly coming forward down the left . His first miss was really poor, any decent contact on that header and it's a goal. His second headed miss then ironically sees him get too much contact and ends up over the bar. Has had a couple of attempted runs too, but so far each has ended up with him losing possession.

We need to get a better balance and try and feed Sykes more. At the back agree with others saying Max needs to mix it up and hit a few longer clearances instead of always playing it short, we have been close to giving the ball away near our own box too many times for my liking.

[Engvall’s Splinter]

1 minute ago, You Do The Dziekanowski said:

Someone else who’s watching the same game as me! 

 

As proven, we don’t have the ability to unlock teams who sit deep, having the ball in midfield and defence, on occasion, is drawing them out and giving us space to get into 

 

More chances will come second half

Think you lost a tad bit of credibility when you agreed Williams has been brilliant this half

Brilliant is somewhat overstated  

 

[downendcity]

31 minutes ago, siuk101 said:

Anis needs to work on his headers

Had those chances fallen to Wells we'd more than likely be 2 up now.

If Anis had a few goals under his belt he'd probably have taken one of those without thinking, but when a striker is short of goals those are the type of chances that they seem to miss 

[Ivorguy]

1 minute ago, DaveF said:

What happened to the other 10%?

Gone into the nest egg?

[And Its Smith]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

Dave, Dave, Dave…in the past you’ve been happy to give players like Wells stick as soon as he breathed!

Will have a look back and see if that’s true or a misremember on your part! I normally give players a least 60 before I suggest a sub

[MelksRed]

3 minutes ago, red panda said:

Eh? He's indisputably had a poor first half, aren't we allowed to say that? 

I agree he has been poor in the first half (when compared to the last game) - although some may take your comments as "normal service resumed" - as he has been pretty poor until recently. 

We must give him an opportunity- until 60 mins to try and create something - if he was to score he will come alive like the mop and bucket in Fantasia! 

[ZiderEyed]

2 minutes ago, spudski said:

Gotta get Knight and Sykes into the game more. Both making it happen when they get the ball on the right. 

It's not clicking down the left. 

Both Mehmetti and Pring bought trampolines for boots tonight. 

Fingers crossed they find their touch again. 

 

Felt for a while we’d benefit from an upgrade at left back. Not only that but Mehmeti/Bell would too.

Edited December 29, 2023 by ZiderEyed
Clarity

[You Do The Dziekanowski]

Just now, Engvall’s Splinter said:

Think you lost a tad bit of credibility when you agreed Williams has been brilliant this half

Brilliant is somewhat overstated  

 

Haha, brilliant is an overstatement. He was doing well out of possession. Covered Tanner well and pressed heavy/bad touches well. On the ball, there’s plenty more needed second half

[AppyDAZE]

6 minutes ago, red panda said:

Eh? He's indisputably had a poor first half, aren't we allowed to say that? 

It’s been a poor half of football, why pick on one player?

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Who had the other 10% ?

Nest Egg for 2nd half!

1 minute ago, And Its Smith said:

Will have a look back and see if that’s true or a misremember on your part! I normally give players a least 60 before I suggest a sub

Don’t worry Dave…it wasn’t subbing per se, but criticism of players.

[Andy082005]

9 minutes ago, RollsRoyce said:

You mean he is playing like Mehmeti, he has not changed at all. Just had more game time. Same errors and decision-making, always cutting inside onto his right.. He was doing the same at Watford, but it was masked by scoring a goal. A lot of work still to be done with him. 

Personally think he looks a bit tired. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him subbed early in the second half 

[robinforlife2]

Wouldn't hook Mehmeti yet. We're controlling the game, but Birmingham are defending solidly. If we keep at them, they will tire.  Mehmeti should have left his second chance for a Nahki tap in, but possibly Nahki didn't shout, although he definitely shouted at him after his header went wide. Pring is doing a good job on that young lad Donovan, who looks a decent player. If we get one, I think we'll get two or three. Just have to stick at it, and it'll come. No need to hit panic buttons yet. 

[ZiderEyed]

4 minutes ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Who had the other 10% ?

Marina Dolman playing keep away with Bacuna and Mehmeti, she’s bossing it tbf

Edited December 29, 2023 by ZiderEyed

[Woofyourkipper]

1 minute ago, AppyDAZE said:

It’s been a poor half of football, why pick on one player?

No one is picking on one single player mate,bottom line is we should be 2 up.

absolute sitters and free headers

[eardun]

4 minutes ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Who had the other 10% ?

Ref had a touch to be fair 

[mozo]

Overall I'm happy that we shut the home crowd up and nullified Birmingham, who so far look happy to play on the break.

Great half by Joe Williams imo. The Brum co-comms guy said JW was running the midfield and I agree 100%. Good both with the ball and without.

Sykes put 3 great crosses in so job done by him, Mehmeti utterly disappointing in every way.

Generally, we've been lacking in our execution. Probably every City player has played a bad ball or three.

If we can raise our standards by 10% we snatch a winner.

[Benneythered]

The presenter in the studio on Robins TV is so enthusiastic he looks and sounds so bored.

[Dolman Block B]

5 minutes ago, DaveF said:

What happened to the other 10%?

Was in the concourse

[REDOXO]

2 minutes ago, Ghost Rider said:

There we go. Not sure why you laughed then? 

 

3 minutes ago, Ghost Rider said:

There we go. Not sure why you laughed then? 

Because you’re funny!

See what happens in the second half. We were intent on moving them around as they are not deep on the bench. 
 

A lot of football to be played more than one way!

[bcfc01]

11 minutes ago, Fuber said:

Disagree with that. Has made about 4 of 10 attempted passes.

Along with most others tbf.

TGH just doing little 5 yard passes side or back, playing too safe, at least Williams is trying to get us going. I'd give TGH 10 minutes and if no improvement get him off for James. Same for Mehmeti, 10 minutes, if no improvement get Bell on.

Just about every player is off his game other than Vyner, Dickie (despite some very dodgy runs forward), and Williams. The rest are anonymous really. Sykes has his man on toast if he goes for it, but hasn't so far. Mehmeti is back to his old self, Wells isolated. Bit of a deja vu performance from a little while ago.

Hopefully, they'll come out second half less passive and a bit more positive after 69% possession with a couple of headers from Mehmeti and no attempts on target. Been here before...

[IAmNick]

11 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Quite a few players read the forum after the game. Just seems that he has done well recently but is 45 mins away from fans turning again 

Fair enough. I wouldn't sub him yet, but I don't think he's being unfairly attacked either. That's quite different imo.

Let's hope he comes out for the second half, continues to get in the good positions he has been and makes the most of them this time.

[wendyredredrobin]

Mehmeti no output again and also missed two decent chances with his head (which he needs to learn to use in more ways than one).  I would probably sub him for Bell's pace though Conway could be another option.

[Wrongagain]

Birmingham are crap, with all our possession we are taking the easy option and passing the ball back far too often - even when there is a chance to attack - and will somebody inform our boring announcer the is no “ BacunIA “ on the pitch!

[Lew-T]

Joe Williams is perfect for a pitch like this and a side like Birmingham.

He‘s doing well, again.

[Ska Junkie]

At least the big guy 'Dukowicz' (?) isnt there anymore, usually scores against us.

 

[RollsRoyce]

Just now, Andy082005 said:

Personally think he looks a bit tired. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him subbed early in the second half 

He is a frustrating player. He has the ability, but his in-game play is very immature. You can see his fellow players throwing their arms up in the air time and again as he misses a pass, takes too long to release. He needs a lot more coaching, and is why his game time since last January has been limited. Bell having some in-game issues himself has made it a tough call between the pair. It is an area of weakness right now. I would expect any January business to address that position. 

[Alessandro]

Actually a decent first half in a scrappy game with quite a few of them not firing on all cylinders. 

TGH and Mehmeti scrappy in final third - latter missing two good chances.

Williams and Pring not at best on ball in the right places.

Knight took a long time to get into it.

Birmingham do look poor though, feel this really is a game to be won.

Conway on for Wells. 

[Curr Avon]

Conway for Wells.

[Ska Junkie]

TC on.

[ralphindevon]

1 minute ago, Lew-T said:

Joe Williams is perfect for a pitch like this and a side like Birmingham.

He‘s doing well, again.

Running the match according to Brum commentator

[johnheadbcfc]

1 minute ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Mehmeti no output again and also missed two decent chances with his head (which he needs to learn to use in more ways than one).  I would probably sub him for Bell's pace though Conway could be another option.

Bells pace? Seen him so many times but never think wow he's rapid... or is it just me

[alexukhc]

Is it me or was that the longest half time ever, just demolished a big pack of sensations 

[Lanterne Rouge]

1 minute ago, Ska Junkie said:

At least the big guy 'Dukowicz' (?) isnt there anymore, usually scores against us.

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but he`s on the bench.

[WarksRobin]

Birmingham terrible, we have most of the possession. Why am I worried?

[One Team]

12 minutes ago, RollsRoyce said:

Any player who reads a fan's forum is insane. They tell you to avoid social media comments in any top-line sport. 

Ross M saying Wells sub was pre planned. 

[Better Red]

A lot of people moaning.

We are away from home and - 

Controlling the game

Had 70% possession

Should have scored at least 1

Kept Birmingham quiet

We are pretty much running the midfield.

Williams and Knight both having a good game.

Looks like Sykes has beating of full back.

Ok we lack a goal but come on we look the better team again..

 

[robinforlife2]

Surprised Wells subbed for Conway. Wasn't having a bad time. Can only assume it's time management having come back from injury. 

[W-S-M Seagull]

10 minutes ago, Ghost Rider said:

Mate, you’re weird. The reason I mention you was because YOU mentioned the other day about Manning and the amount of information he gave to the players. He explained it. I was being nice!!!!!!!! 
 

Where did I have a dig at NP? Are you okay? 
 

ps Pay your fiver. 

Have a day off from fishing mate. 

Happy new year.