April 2009 Archives

It's the biggie, Blues v Wolves, and if you can't get to St Andrew's tonight there's no need to feel left out as our popular live match blog will be up and running from 7.30pm GMT.

You can follow the action with the Birmingham Mail team at the ground and join in the debate and banter on www.birminghammail.net.

A win for Blues would be hugely significant - and they are going to have to buck a recent trend.

Blues have not beaten Wolves at St Andrew's for five games; the last three in the league were draws.

Blues last success was in 2000, when David Holdsworth got the winner in a bad-tempered affair.

Martin O'Connor and Bryan Hughes were both sent-off for Blues and Thomas Myhre saved a Keith Curle penalty.

In tonight's Birmingham Mail we have a special preview of the big match, including analysis from Keith Downing - and some heartening news from Kevin Phillips.

Is Blues v Wolves on Monday the defining match of the season?

Very possibly, very possibly.

Victory for Blues and, all of a sudden, they are only two points in it for the title again. Defeat and the silverware has all but gone and it's time to look over the shoulder once more.

Reading are away at Coventry City on Saturday, Sheffield United at home to Ipswich Town, Burnley at Derby County and Cardiff City play Swansea City at 11m Sunday.

By the time kick-off comes round, the pressure could be cranked up that little bit more on Blues. But it's been such all season; now we're at the business end, there has been a definite focus about the players.

Sure, Blues last match at home to Norwich City was a disappointment. There were mitigating circumstances (too many players off the boil, Lee Bowyer struggling with injury, Lee Carsley not quite right, Garry O'Connor not fully sharp, Norwich performing well).

But Monday night is a different kettle of fish altogether; it's the kind of do or die where Blues just have to lay it on the line, there are no excuses.

I have a feeling that they will be on their mettle, and they're 'due' against Mick McCarthy's side.

I've made my choice, how about yours?

At the Birmingham Mail we're putting up one of the awards for the Blues player-of-the-season bash.

So get voting - and you could be at the annual dinner in person to meet the recipient.