Into the Wolves den
Random thoughts post-Wolves . . .
* Not sure what game Mick McCarthy was watching, describing the first-half as about 'even'. There were enough doom merchants beforehand expecting Wolves to blow Blues away, but it was like men against boys in that opeing period. Blues dominated and should have been a couple of goals clear, at least.
* Nigel Quashie, I have to admit, has surprised me over time. He kept the ball brilliantly, I don't think he ever wasted or misplaced a pass. After so long out battling to save his career because of an ankle injury, I wondered if he had the mobility and sharpness, anything left in the tank. He's improving with every outing and he's one of those 'strong characters' we've talked about.
* James McFadden. Not interested, wants to be in the Premier League, look at his body language blah, blah, blah. These accusation are tiresome and need to be put to bed. Yes he skulks and sulks, but that's his way, he's as committed as anyone. He was a cut above in terms of ability. The pass with the outside of his foot that put Marcus Bent through was sublime. And what about when he chased down Michael Kightly after Mehdi Nafti was left trailing, won the ball then backheeled it behind Kightly to Nafti?
* Ahh, yes, Nafti at right-back. Losing Nicky Hunt was a blow. I don't feel Wolves would have had as much joy as they did in that second-half had he not got injured. Kightly was switched to left wing and suddenly looked like a world beater against a defensive midfielder out of position. Nafti was spoken to at half-time about the role and told Alex McLeish he had played there before and would give it a go. He was reminded of the fundamentals of the position and told to make sure he stayed tucked in near his centre-half, his Tunisian compatriot Radhi Jaidi. He was also asked to cut out the little short passes he favours and knock the ball in behind. Unfortunately he wandered too close to Jaidi, soon picked up a yellow card, and it was edge of the seat stuff from there on. Thought was given to moving Franck Queudrue across, but then that would have meant two changes to the back four, never a good idea on the hoof, especially in a derby like this. David Murphy was the correct option, it was a just a shame Blues couldn't quite stem the tide that kept on coming down the left. Still, had they taken the chances created, it wouldn't have mattered.
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* Plenty of hype has surrounded Michael Mancienne, who was called up to the full England squad for the Germany friendly. Decent player, sure, but Liam Ridgewell was better on Saturday. Yep, you read that right.
* These Blues-Wolves derbies are turning into quite entertaining fare. All it needs is for Martin Grainger and Kevin Muscat to be appointed to the respective coaching staffs to spice it up a bit more. Wolves have a great balance about them, plenty of verve and energy, and a goal threat. I think they realised that they came up against the sort of side they don't always come up against in the Championship and, if Reading would just self-destruct, it's likely to be a battle between the two of them for the title.
* The Robbie Williams impersonator . . . let me entertain you? More like let me murder his songs. The booing said it all. Let's hope Wolves don't bring him to St Andrew's for the FA Cup tie.
* McLeish did a good turn on Match of the Day last night. Nice to see someone on the sofa different to the usual suspects dishing out their matey-matey smugness. And his analysis was quite interesting, shock, horror. But was he told to dress in the same gear as Alan Shearer?
Not sure if Adrian (lower voice, talk slowly) Chiles knows he might have actually offended big Eck when the Championship table flashed up. 'That could be the Premier League in reverse in a year's time,' he scoffed. Not necessarily. After all, promoted sides Hull and Stoke haven't done too badly this season, unlike some . . .
* The final parts of the McLeish video interview have gone up on-line.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
It's about time someone gave Adrian Chiles the gee-up. He'd make a really good funeral director, but as for Match of the Day...?
Tatts, maybe you could apply. Mind you, you'd have to improve a little on your intro on that Mail vid. Have any Midlanders ever heard of caffeine?
Tatts
what is the exact problem with Seb - have read personal reasons - are you at liberty to expand?
Andy, I'd guess that since it is personal reasons he wouldn't really want them told to everyone.
Andy, David Gold went on radio and said Seb's girlfriend had been taken ill, putting the reason in the public domain. Rory, yes, one is working on one delivery but I don't get as much time to practice as yourself...
Absolutely spot on blog, agree with everything you have written. Lets just hope the performance will persuade a few more bluenoses to come back to Stans. It was interesting to note from your interview with him that was the message Alec wanted to get out to the fans. Great interview by the way
where you even at the game. if the own goal had gone in then we would have killed the blues.
you c even the wolves have some ifss, well ill put it this way if we dont come up against teams like you in the championship then weve got nothing to fear. the blues were nothing speacial, very negative in my view and belive me when we play propely there will be no contest between the two (blues and wolves)
all you deluded brum fans will see nxt january when we play you in the cup.
Yeah if the own goal had gone in, Fadds offside goal stood, Stearman not got one off line, Phillips not missed a sitter, Jaidi been couple yards lower with his shot and after Jerome scored you would have been 5-1 down numpty
Well said Yam yawn. I think the name irishsmurf says it all. Enough said.