BIRMINGHAM CITY PREVIEW

After the cruel defeat away at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, the Reds remain on their travels, as Keith Hill's charges prepare to take on Birmingham City at St. Andrews this Saturday tea-time. 

Yes, it's getting no easier for us, but if we continue to perform as we've done in our last three fixtures then I'm sure we'll start to see better results on a more consistent basis. 

A lot of the good things that came out of that defeat at Ewood Park have somewhat been lost in the wash, as the talk since amongst supporters and the media alike, centered on Keith's post-match comments, where again he brought up the subject of finance in football. 

To be fair to him, he did make many a good point with regards to Parachute Payments, and the "rewards" for being relegated from the top flight. 
But I just found the timing of the comments odd, and I'd much rather he concentrated his efforts where he can make a difference - on the training pitch. 

Anyway, back to Tuesday night. 

It was a game we dominated, both in terms of possession and opportunities created. However, a failure to convert those chances - Jacob Mellis' goal apart - and our own inability to deal with crosses, cost us.

We've played 6 league games now, and I think 7 points from them is a decent return, considering the strength of the opposition faced thus far. 
I just feel that, but for the mistakes (at Wolves and Blackburn) we could have been sat on a double figure points tally already. 
I suppose it's a sign of the decent job Hillcroft are doing that I'm feeling a tad disappointed. If someone had offered me 7 points at this stage back in July, I'd have taken it without a moments thought. 

A couple of statistics stick out for me though so far. 

(1) We've lost all three games away from home, conceding 10 goals along the way. 

(2) We've scored in every game so far this season (League and Cup) but in 7 of the 8 games we've only scored the one goal. 

I don't know what point it proves, if any, especially at this embryonic stage of the campaign. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out we're lacking both in terms of finishing, and denying chances. 

Other than the Brighton game where we just didn't turn up, I can't recall the opposition carving us open at will, creating/missing chance after chance. 
I do though, remember us gifting the opponents clear chances. Or defending badly in key moments.

I've lost count of the times our centre halves are either out of position, or in position but stood still with their arms in the air.... 

I'm hoping that Keith knows this too, and that he and Flicker are working hard to rectify these issues. Because the performance levels of the fullbacks and midfielders in particular (which have been great) will eventually drop if they keep seeing their own good work and endeavour going to waste due to poor decision-making from our centre halves. 

Jordan Rhodes profits from our bad defending

The finishing, other than that of Craig Davies is also worrying. But I'm loathe to be too critical at this juncture, as the options available to Keith right now are somewhat limited. 

Both Chris Dagnall and Marlon Harewood have missed good chances of late, especially the latter. He's had 3 or 4 efforts in the last few games where you'd expect him to convert. The one at Ewood Park beggars belief to be honest. He didn't even work the keeper. 

I feel I'm being harsh though bringing 'Daggers' into it. I like many, wrote the lad off last season, and in my first blog article this summer I doubted he'd alter my opinion of him. 
But it was the way he clinically put away those two chances at Rochdale that had me thinking again, and he's really impressed me so far this time around. 
Yet because I now know he can finish, I suppose I'm expecting it just as much as I'm craving it. Because believe me, nobody wants Chris to succeed more than I do. Apart from maybe one lad off our forum.... naming no names. 

Anyhow, let's get on with previewing this weekend's fixture...... 

THE OPPOSITION


Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became simply Small Heath in 1888, followed by Birmingham in 1905, before finally settling on Birmingham City (as we now refer to them) in 1943. Fussy or what? 

Upon the name change to Small Heath, they were also the first football club to become a limited company with a board of directors.

In 1893, they won the inaugural Football League Second Division title, yet weren't promoted via the 'test match' system. Look it up people. 

They originally played their home games on Muntz Street, before moving to St. Andrews in 1906.

In 1931 they reached the FA Cup Final, losing to West Bromwhich Albion 2-1.

Now as Birmingham City, in 1956 they again reached, and lost in the FA Cup Final. This time 3-1 to Manchester City, in the game remembered for City keeper Bert Trautmann playing the last 20 minutes with a broken neck. 

They became the first English club to take part in European competition, back in the same year of 1956. 

They were also the first club from England to reach a European Final, when in 1960 they lost 4-1 to Barcelona (on aggregate) in the Fairs Cup. 
They also lost 4-2 in the same final a year later to AS Roma.

Birmingham lifted their first major trophy in 1963 by beating local rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on aggregate in the League Cup Final. 

In 1978 they sold Trevor Francis to Nottingham Forest, making him the first million pound player. A club of many firsts it seems! 

Instability on and off the field saw them relegated to the third tier for the first time in their history in 1989. 

They lost on penalties against Liverpool in the 2001 League Cup Final. 

They were promoted back to the top flight after a 16 year absence in 2002, after Steve Bruce's side beat Norwich City in the Playoff Final. 

After decent finishes in the Premier League, they were relegated in 2006, only to return the following year, before falling again, and obviously returning once more the next season! Talk about up and down... 

They're currently in their second season back at this level, after their last relegation in 2011. 
The same year they beat Arsenal to lift the League Cup for the second time. 

They did reach the Playoffs last season, under Chris Hughton. 

THE GAFFER


Former Fulham and Newcastle United midfielder, Lee Clark went into coaching upon his retirement as a player and was appointed first team coach by Glenn Roeder at St. James' Park in 2006. 

In November of 2007 he again teamed up with Roeder, as his assistant, now at Norwich City. 

In December of 2008 he was appointed the manager of Huddersfield Town, who were in League One. 

He brought Terry McDermott and Derek Fazackerley with him, both of whom were with him at Newcastle. 

In his first season in charge, he led the Terriers to a 9th placed finish, losing just two home games. 

The following season he led them to the Playoffs, where they were defeated by Millwall at the semi-final stage.

In the 2010/11 campaign, Clark guided Huddersfield to a 3rd placed finish, and a Playoff place, after a club record 25 game unbeaten run in the league. 
They lost the Playoff Final 3-0 to Peterborough United. 

He was still in charge last season, as the club extended their unbeaten regular season league run and record to 43 games. 

However, he was sacked on the 15th of February this year, after a 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield United. 

On the 26th of June this year, he was unveiled as the new manager of Birmingham, with again Terry McDermott as his assistant. 

THE VENUE


Opened in 1906, renovated between 1993 to 1999, St. Andrews is situated in the Bordesley district of Birmingham, and has a capacity of just over 30,000. 

Visiting supporters are housed in the lower Railway Stand. 

The nearest railway station to the stadium is Bordesley, on the Birmingham to Stratford Line between Moor Street and Small Heath stations, which has regular services only on match days. The stadium is a 20-minute walk from New Street station, which is served by direct trains from most parts of the country. Digbeth Coach Station, served by National Express coaches, is a 15-minute walk away, and buses run along the Coventry Road past the ground. There is very limited parking at the stadium itself, but a secure outdoor car park is available at Birmingham Wheels Park, less than 15 minutes walk away, and parking is permitted in the streets surrounding the ground. 

Key man - Chris Burke

KEY MAN 


Former Glasgow Rangers and Cardiff City winger, Chris Burke is a terrific player on his day at this level. 

He featured in all but one of Birmingham's 62 competitive fixtures last season, scoring 14 goals and making 19 assists. 

He was named Player of the Year by both his supporters, and teammates due to those exploits last term, and whilst he's not been prominent for Blues so far this time around, we should really be keeping a close eye on him if we want to take anything away from St. Andrews tomorrow evening. 

Interestingly, I find it quite bizarre that he's only ever represented Scotland on two occasions. Especially when you consider he scored twice on his debut, way back in 2006. 
Although to be fair, Scotland are overloaded with talent............ 

Golbourne - Impressive this season

WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS


Like many other Tarn supporters I would imagine, I've decided not to travel to Birmingham this weekend. I haven't been back there since I was showered with bits of glass after our coach was bricked the day we beat them in the Playoff Semi-Final. 
However, that's not my reason for not attending this time. It's being broadcast live on SkySports, and so it's much cheaper for me to get a few cans of lager in and watch it at home. 

It's not often we're involved in a televised game, and even rarer still do we actually triumph in front of the nation. 
But here's hoping eh? 

As I've stated above, I believe Chris Burke to be their key player. He's always been dangerous against us in the past, and so we've got to hope that Scott Golbourne continues his impressive form at left-back. 

He's looked a quality player for us so far, although the previous incumbent at left-back wasn't going to be difficult to replace, to be fair. 

The other selection at fullback will be an interesting one. 
It seems the crude 'tackle' on John Stones the other night has ruled him out for this match at least, and with Sir Bobby Hassell sitting out the final game of his suspension it leaves Keith Hill with a dilemma at right-back. 

Captain and last seasons regular fixture there, Scott Wiseman, has been used at centre half of late, and I can't see Keith moving him back out wide. He's not been great by any means in his new role, but I prefer him there if he has to play. 

Recent recruit Martin Cranie can play right-back, and did so successfully in the victory over Bristol City. But his performances against both Blackburn and Blackpool, as a holding midfield player, were spot on. And so again, I can't see Keith shifting him across either. 

Step forward David Perkins. Keith's very own Mr Versatile. 
Whilst I'd love to see him back in the centre of the park, in the engine room, I reckon he may well do a job tomorrow for us at right-back. 
Keith has certainly hinted as much, and his assumed duel with Nathan Redmond could be a tasty one. 

Apparently Craig Davies has been struggling recently with a groin strain, but he's expected to retain his place in leading the line for us. 

The likes of Reuben Noble-Lazarus, Kelvin Etuhu, Matty Done and youngster Paul Digby may have to settle for a place on the bench, as the midfielders used at Ewood Park this week rarely put a foot wrong. 

All in all, I don't predict too many unforced changes. Obviously, I'd like to see a different pairing at centre half, but until the likes of Jimmy McNulty return I suppose we're limited at the back. 

The fact I've rarely mentioned the keeper of late, shows just what a good job Ben Alnwick has done in replacing Luke Steele so far. 
The latter is now back and amongst the substitutes and so Alnwick's performances will need to stay strong if he wants to be number one at Oakwell. 

One piece of news on the transfer front. As Keith has strengthened us at left-back with the short-term recruitment of former Leicester City and Rochdale (obviously) player Tom Kennedy. 
Not much else to say on this one right now as the details are only just being made public. 

New recruit - Kennedy

 

I never expect anything away from home, results-wise, and tomorrow is no different. But what I have come to expect is a performance, and so hopefully we'll get another, and this time take our chances, whilst being far more resolute in defence. 

The league table is as tight as it ever is in this division, and a morale-enhancing victory against a quality Blues side will have us set up nicely as we start to play sides who aren't as well off in terms of finance etc. 

But before I start going off on a tangent about it not being fair like King Keith, I'll bid each and every travelling Reds fan a safe journey to the Midlands tomorrow, and fingers-crossed we're finally off the mark away from Fortress Oakwell... 

Up The Tarn! 


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Endeavour.