One down, 45 to go...
It's funny sometimes that we're quick to criticise our own when we maybe don't appreciate what we've got.
I've listened to people and read things over the weekend alluding to the fact that Sheffield United have one of the best defences in the division and Blues were fortunate to win.
No doubt, their backline is very strong and organised and the Blades will be difficult to beat this season.
But beat them Blues did - no matter when the goal arrived - and they will come up against teams who are not as capable defensively this season.
And you would expect Blues to improve in terms of guile and creativity as the season goes on too, plus we have yet to see Quincy and Kemy Agustien.
Yet let's not forget that for the misgivings surrounding Blues defenisvely, it was a very sturdy effort from all concerned, and that was without Stephen Kelly as well.
I agree with many people that Blues need another player to bolster them at the back. That's why Alex McLeish went for Bobo Balde and is still on the lookout.
However, Martin Taylor - even hobbling on one leg - knows the division and the requirements (he and Radhi Jaidi were the mainstays of the 2007 promotion) and Liam Ridgewell has the appetite and aptitude for it.
Mistakes and misjudgements will not be punished as much than in the Premier League either.
At full-back, David Murphy and Stuart Parnaby were far more adventurous than their Sheffield counterparts - who played defender Greg Halford at wide right as well - but in games like Saturday's, it not about pretty football but matching fire with fire.
A concern from last season was Blues decidedly soft underbelly, away from home in key games notably.
Sheffield probably thought they could have taken advantage here, but their players were the ones more often than not left on the turf requiring treatment.
It wouldn't have pleased the purists, but it was good to see Blues putting in the harder tackles, the bad ones as well if you want, like Parnarby's in front of the dug outs.
Lee Carsley has added an extra abrasive edge to the team, Marcus Bent is a physical presence and, even from his brief cameo as a substitute, Garry O'Connor suggested he could be a lively, awkward customer this season.
The array of attacking options available to McLeish are impressive, and although the front players could have done certain things much better, you can bet Championship rivals won't like to look across at the bench and see the likes of O'Connor, Kevin Phillips and Cameron Jerome ready to come on.
And what of Phillips, scorer of a classic Phillips goal? Mikael Forssell has gone, he's already taken over his mantle. When matters are even-steven, the game is a hard-fought slog, it's a player like him who can light it up and make all the difference.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
138 is the magic number ;-)
your'e right. albion fan in the pub last night had a right go at us blues fans for being so hyper-critical of the performance and glossing over the 3 points somewhat.
opening home games always set a benchmark, however. i shudder when i recall the home midweek game we had against boro a few seasons back when brucie got it horribly wrong tactically and a sense of impending doom engulfed the ground.
this time the opening game has shown us exactly how difficult the season is going to be in terms of breaking foes down at home.
Excellent points especially about not getting punished. Taylor and Ridgewell both had steady games but continally game the ball away or headed straight to an opponent. Sheff U could not take advantage wheras last year the game would have been lost.
Kilgannon would make an excellent signing but who ever comes in needs to be sooner rather than later.
I think Nafti has been overlooked. He had a great game IMO.
Birmingham have had an excellent start to the season and already the talk is of promotion and while I have no objection to this prognosis,it leaves me somewhat disturbed as to the consequences should we achieve that objective.I am sure everyone couldn't possibly have not noticed the surge in transfer fees in the latest premiership feeding frenzy.Prices for less than mediocre players has transcended the 10 million pounds barrier and as our limit falls somewhat below that figure,what chance do we have in the premiership.If we want to join the premiership circus then other investment must be brought to the club.I am sure David Gold and his board will be looking into various scenarios but the bar needs to be raised so high that I am not sure this can be achieved.If not the we will become the perennial Championship club,always vieing for a return---even if short---to the Premiership.My question is,who wants that?