Singing the Blues

They've got a 'singing section' now down St Andrew's, something I've never been convinced about.

A bit contrived. If fans are going to sing, they're going to sing. You can't force them.

Something, though, does seem to be stirring among the masses.

We all know the two usual standards that roll down from the stands.

I was never sure about the 'Volare' Muamba refugee, now he's quality, chant but you kind of sensed where it was coming from.

But there are a few more songs being added to the repertoire.

Perry Common-based Blues stalwart Bob Teagle was out in Austria and his voice could be heard loud and clear at the friendlies.

His praise of Cameron Jerome to 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' was interesting, you certainly couldn't accuse him of not trying to get a new chant started.

Another stock song, describing Villa fans to the tune of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' got a fair few airings, and is growing in popularity.

Then the other night at Wycombe, the hardy travelling band of 400 or so conjured up a song for Quincy moments after his impressive debut goal.

Although it's another that can't be repeated in print on the grounds of decency - well, because of one word to be exact - it did raise a smile.

Imagine 'Sloop John B' and it went 'He plays on the left . . . he plays on the right . . . that boy Quincy, he makes Kapo look . . . ', well, you guess the rest (clue: it wouldn't work if it started 'right' rather than 'left').

Then there was the tribute - of sorts - to Colin Doyle. This is one where you had to be there, and I reckon big Doylie must have got a bit worried at first.

Simple in its execution, but in mock-menancing voices, it went: 'Doyle! Doyle! Doyle! Doyle!'. Told you you had to be there. Where on earth that one came from, well, I don't know.

We've also been having the intro of UB40's 'Food For Thought', which could become a cult classic, maybe even to rival the surreality of 'Cardiff Dance'.

People always drone on about Liverpool's Kop being really witty, we all know Scousers are natural comedians etc (yawn, yawn).

So it's good to hear that sardonic sense of humour surfacing among the Blues ranks again in some new songs, albeit for adult ears only in the main.

PS: nice to see an electronic scoreboard at Wycombe - League Two Wycombe - replaying the action and updating on the night's other scores. Hope it's installation didn't cut into Peter Taylor's squad budget mind . . .