Three in a row
Hands up, last time Blues lost three games in a row?
The final days of Steve Bruce. A year ago. Everton (away) 1-3, Villa (home) 1-2 and Portsmouth (home) 0-2, under Eric Black's caretaker charge.
Perhaps more pertinently, the last time at Championship level?
The final days of Trevor Francis. September, 2001. Manchester City (away) 0-3, Burnley (home) 2-3, Preston (home) 0-1, the weekend of the petrol blockades.
Now, not for a minute am I suggesting that big Eck is due the boot should Blues lose at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
But it would be three losses on the trot, something that is unacceptable for a team with title aspirations.
Sure, in the Championship, you can hit the heights and then plumb the depths pretty quickly. Three defeats on the spin doesn't mean promotion has gone.
Yet a another blank return at the City Ground would be highly damaging for Blues and Alex McLeish.
The way it is surrounding the club, criticism is quick and vicious. The recent yo-yo existence has frustrated. We've been here before, seen it and done it. There is not that sense of excitement there should be considering the team has made its best ever start and has topped the table.
Journalists from outside the region who pass through are shocked and can't understand it. Why are the crowds so low, for example. That's one often asked question. How long have you got, is the reply.
Just like in 2006-07, if Blues go up it will be against a backdrop a grumbles and gripes. We're always two defeats away from a crisis.
Are those said gripes and grumbles justified? Yes and no.
Blues are no mugs. They are one of the better teams in the Championship. But they do have to start like the eager beavers all their opponents do against them. They have to be less conservative and considered and take the game to others.
They did against Coventry City - but only after going a goal down.
The challenge for McLeish is to empower his players to cut loose a little bit more, by talk and balance of selection, without forgetting that defences win championships.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
Colin,
You are right about the Blues fans, according to the message boards we are in crisis. McLeish must go, Board out etc. The problem is that expectations are so high, not surprising with the players that Blues have. We expect to beat every team whilst playing brilliant football but this isn't going to happen in this division. We will have to scrap our way to promotion and this may be where some of the players are lacking. However at least we are still second without really playing well.
We need a settled team with players that are up for it and playing in their best position, give them a few matches together and stop all this rotation. We also need to settle on a formation be it either 442 or 433. That I think is the challenge for McLeish. Unfortunately I don't think he knows his best team. Let's hope he gets it right on Saturday for a match we should win.
By the way I noticed an article by you in the Post this morning, are you now writing for both papers?