Birmingham Mail - Birmingham City

Back in the swing

2009-06-30T20:55:44Z

Down to Wast Hills today for a media gathering, Alex McLeish providing the up-dates.

Eck came back off his holiday at the end of last week and says he cannot wait to get onto the training pitches again.

He's delighted with the transfers completed so far - 'I think there's been some good business done' - and says there's more to come.

From what we could tell, he still had his own office; it hadn't been annexed by the board so they could bring in 'their' players as they see fit . . .

On that subject, McLeish continually made references to the support he has had from the directors, and he spoke as if he was happy to have Giovanny Espinoza.

Revelations that he hadn't been able to see either Espinoza or Christian Benitez 'in the flesh' raised an eyebrow or two. Then again, it's not that uncommon
nowadays, especially when time is of the essence and you have to nip in quick.

On the other side of the coin, the hunt for new defenders has been long and detailed. McLeish feels he has chosen correctly in Scott Dann and Roger Johnson.

He admits Blues have 'hedged their bets' during the past 18 months.

Midfield is the next area to concentrate on. Maybe two more are needed, as he believes Blues remain 'light' in that area.

One of those midfielders is Lee Bowyer. He has penned a contract, it's just a case of signing-off the fine details.

Gareth Bale's name was thrown into the mix. If he was available, I'd be interested, came the reply. Moreover, keep an eye on Armand Traore in the next few weeks.

While waiting for the audience with Eck, one or two familiar faces popped up around the corridors of the training HQ, even though Blues don't report back until July 8.

Rumours that Mathieu Flamini was in the building could not be substantiated, however.

Gary McSheffrey was there continuing to build up his fitness after the knee problem that wiped out his effectiveness last season.

And, peering out of a window, none other that Franck Queudrue could be spied coming down the steps from pitch level to the dressing rooms following a work out.

Spotting me, he said: 'See, I have made sure I am here a week early this year!'.

New Moody Blues

2009-06-26T18:55:38Z

Is it me or is there a lot of head-nodding going on in relation to Blues recent actions, and a quiet feeling of optimism?

Six players have been signed, a deal for Lee Bowyer agreed, and there's promise of more to come by the board.

And there was the dabble for Patrick Vieira too.

When Blues announced their '10 point-pledge' the cynical among us had a field day. Yeah, right, heard it all before was the take.

But maybe it's not so wrong after all to at least give Blues the benefit of the doubt thus far.

St Andrew's is never going to be as palatial as most stadiums around the country yet Blues have been addressing certain aspects: the pitch and track surround, big
screen/scoreboard.

It would be nice to think they would just knock down the Main Stand and have done with it, but there you go.

Season ticket prices are inviting, especially when you see what's materialised in the restructuring of the squad, although sales remain under 10,000.

Blues have gone in early and done business. They have been decisive and don't seem to be heading for that late transfer window panic in the last week of August, which marked the last two Premier League preparations.

David Gold rang me this afternoon just for a general chat, during which he confirmed that the Vieira attempt was a long shot, with the tag that if you don't try you will
never know.

The chairman was interested to guage the reaction to the new players and he said he was enthused about the months ahead.

He won't take anything for granted, however, with those memories post-Blackburn Rovers popping up in his memory from time to time.

He said Blues still had plenty to do.

Gold yesterday issued a statement to the club website patting people on the back, not least his fellow key director David Sullivan.

And Sullivan, often considered the Big Bad Wolf of Theydon Bois, also seems reinvigorated. In our conversations, he has talked like a fan about players Blues
have got and the type they are still trying to get, and not banged on about money. Well, not too much anyway.

In fact, Sullivan and the Golds have both loaned Blues their own cash to help fund ground improvements and player purchases.

An announcement to the Stock Exchange on June 9 showed that Sullivan put in £1 million, matched by David Gold.

Then, today, it was revealed to the City that Sullivan has loaned another £1.5 million, David Gold £750,000 and Ralph Gold £750,000.

The loans are all payable by September 1, with an interest of 0.5 per cent per month. So they are going to get something back for their trouble.

Basically, the money was pumped in to tide Blues over until the Sky television windfall lands in the bank account in August. They didn't want to miss out on Christian Benitez, Scott Dann and Roger Johnson.

Without doubt, there does seem a fresh approach, a more engaged and harmonious attitude, which has been been picked up by people.

Maybe it was the ordeal of the Championship last season, maybe lessons of past Premier League relegations have been taken on board, maybe it's starting a top-flight season with a new manager.

This week, Sullivan made this remark: "It will probably be a tough season, but I hope everybody has some fun and enjoys themselves - that's the key for me."

It's a mystery . . . or is it?

2009-06-25T19:10:18Z

Developments re the 'mystery £90k-a-week man'.

He will be named tomorrow in the Birmingham Mail, and the background to Blues pursuit explained.

Then at least the guessing game can stop!

But have Blues pulled off a coup and got their target?

All will be revealed . . .

Case for the defence

2009-06-22T19:32:14Z

It's not very often we get all in a lather about centre-halves, is it?

Well they've created plenty of debate since well before the season's triumphant end, and will continue to do so for some while yet.

The changing of the guard is happening at St Andrew's.

Scott Dann has come in, it is increasingly likely that Roger Johnson does, while Geovanny Espinoza was undergoing his medical in Birmingham today.

Then we have Joe Hart, a new goalkeeper, and the likelihood of a left-back on loan from the Premier League or abroad.

Having the right combination at the heart of defence is absolutely vital.

Think back to when Blues first came into the Premier League in 2002.

Kenny Cunningham was an inspired signing. He had the know-how, he could read a game and organise. Then Matthew Upson arrived. Pace, power, purpose, hunger.

Those two under-pinned Blues in the first three seasons.

Darren Purse, Michael Johnson, Steve Vickers, Olivier Tebily and Joey Hutchinson were all around St Andrew's at that time seven years ago.

But it was all about getting the right pair to gel, and that was Cunningham and Upson without question.

Dann, 22, and Johnson, 26 have no Premier League experience; Espinoza (32) has been round the block but not over here. Martin Taylor, at 29, is the grand old man of Blues central defenders.

Liam Ridgewell (24) walked the Championship and will get better as the years tick by. It's a shame for him and Blues that he suffered ill fortune and broke his leg.

Alex McLeish has to hope that his defence learns fast, clicks and hold firm.

It won't be for a lack of desire as both Dann and Johnson are itching to make their mark at the highest level. Espinoza will be eager to please.

The way the rest of the team is set up and does their duty in Blues own territory is critical too of course.

It might be too much to ask for another Cunningham-Upson straight away. But the alternative to change was to do nothing - and that just was not an option.

On the subject of getting into a lather, as for the 'mystery 90k-a-week man', there's nothing really new to report. It remains a long shot.

From what I gather Blues have recently tried to change his mind about entertaining them, but he is not a priority target and was not budgeted for.

It would be a bit like an extra topping on the cake, a pleasant surprise, if it came off. And a 'special case', a bit like Christian Benitez, transfer kitty wise.

Five, now six, weeks ago, as I've written elsewhere, Blues became aware that he might be available and contact was made through his representatives.

The board and McLeish have been working assiduously on other targets since, primarily those to remodel the centre of defence.

Fergie v Eck first up

2009-06-17T09:01:39Z

Last time Blues won at Manchester United anyone?

Last time they scored a goal moreover.

In eight visits they've lost the lot and not scored. Before that there was a draw, which followed another two losses that drew a blank.

So some way to start the new campaign, at the home of the Champions!

To discuss the fixture list for 2009-10, which were released today, join the Birmingham Mail writers from 1pm for a special live web chat on www.birminghammail.net.

Oh, and it was in 1978, when goals by Kevin Dillon and Trevor Francis gave Blues a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Dann's the man?

2009-06-15T17:17:36Z

Scott Dann is the first but won't be the last defender to join Blues this summer.

Alex McLeish has been trying to bolster the centre-half position ever since he took over at Blues.

Gary Cahill got away, which left Eck and Blues cold. It was genuinely felt he was in the bag until a late chance of mind saw him leave Villa for Bolton Wanderers.

There have been a couple of attempts to take Sami Hyypia, who ended up signing a whopping contract at Bayer Leverkusen after exiting Liverpool on a free.

Then there were the cases of Calum Davenport and Matt Mills. And there have been plenty of others looked at and either dismissed or considered out of reach.

There's no messing about by Blues now.

Blues saw off Wolves for Dann, the Sky Blues captain.

Geovanny Espinoza is also on his way to St Andrew's. And don't rule out Roger Johnson arriving either. I suspect it's either him or Oguchi Onyewu.

At left-back, Blues have David Murphy on the injured list and Franck Queudrue. But expect to see another specialist for that position join, and talks are continuing with Djimi Traore, who can provide cover at full-back or in the centre.

Dann's signing, for an initial £3.5 million, is an interesting one.

His rise from Walsall junior to Premier League has been swift and if you counsel opinion of people in the game about him, you get conflicting views.

Highly promising, the potential to improve, a sound investment. On the other hand, I've heard from those who don't think he will cut it at the highest level.

Never mind whether he's worth the fee or not. Same applies with Johnson. Nowadays it's impossible to get a Matthew Upson for £750,000.

Dann's price is the going rate and although McLeish would love to be able to spend £10 million each on a proven Premier League pairing, he can't.

McLeish said just after the season ended he might have to bring in an emerging player or two and work with them; that's what he's done with Dann and, to an extent,
could do with Johnson as well, another who has yet to make the jump from Championship to Premier League.

What Blues like about Dann is that he has the basic attributes to do a sound job and get better. Also, his on-pitch attitude is that of a leader, a strong Liam Daish type.

He is quiet and unassuming off it, but once across the white line he's vocal and wants to dominate his domain.

A few people who have watched him regular told me that he is a good header of the ball, has very good feet and can pick out a pass. Dann, although 6ft 2in tall, is not a clogging type of centre-half.

He is a threat at set-pieces - as Blues found out when he plundered the only goal of the game at the Ricoh Arena in February - and check out this goal for Walsall against
Rochdale, which suggests he's not lumbering on the deck.

Dann had a hard time of it against Chelsea and Didier Drogba when Coventry were knocked out of the FA Cup in the quarter-finals. He was muscled off the ball for the first goal.

And like any player new in the Premier League, he is going to have to learn fast.

Whilst he can get stuck in and mix it, despite what happened when Drogba mugged him, his sharpness and reading of the game is more of an asset. He's not lightning quick, but neither he is a slouch.

The England under-21 international is sure to show rough edges in the sort of company he will be battling against next season.

But you would think that someone with McLeish's pedigree in the position should be able to nurture a promising centre-half, and Dann's determination to succeed given the opportunity presented to him should count for something too.

Wheater from the chaff

2009-05-26T13:16:11Z

Gareth Southgate got in a pickle before his Middlesbrough side's Premier League demise.

The Boro boss and ex-Villa captain took exception to Alex McLeish's comments about David Wheater.

An intelligent bloke, Southgate probably knew that McLeish wasn't really trying to unsettle Wheater or destabilise an already destabilised team.

And on further reflection of the context of the remarks, he would maybe accept it was all a bit of fluff really.

McLeish was talking in general terms, and used Wheater as a random example of the obstacles Blues were likely to face during their summer search for centre-halves.

Southgate wasn't happy though: "David Wheater is one that we have no intention of letting go. He is a big part of the future of this football club.

"It was at a fans' forum and we've all said more than we should have at them. I'm sure Alex will regret how it has come out. It doesn't help.

"I haven't had any sort of apology on the phone but there you go. You're a bit looser if you're talking to your fans. I'm sure he might regret saying it, but it's irrelevant."

Wheater himself went all goggle-eyed: "The speculation doesn't unsettle me, it's flattering. I saw £9 million mentioned and I was like, 'Flipping heck!'

"It's madness isn't it? But it doesn't really bother me."

Money, money, money

2009-05-21T13:09:46Z

It seems that it's a case of not how much you've got, but what you do with it.

That's Alex McLeish's transfer lot this summer.

He has asked the board why won't they give him £30 million - £40 million, the money garnered from the Premier League television agreement.

They countered with the usual tale of Sunderland (£90 million spent over the last two years, still fighting for their lives) and the dark scenario of a Southampton.

Although it wasn't what McLeish wanted to hear, he understood the viewpoint and has decided to just get on with it.

I don't think we should be too surprised. Going on the past, Blues have never shelled out massive amounts per season.

The last time in the Premier League, Steve Bruce spent about £10 million on a collection of new players, including Garry O'Connor, Oliver Kapo, Franck Queudrue and Liam Ridgewell. Stuart Parnaby, Daniel de Ridder and Richard Kingson were added on frees.

Then, in January, McLeish was given £6.5 million for James McFadden and David Murphy. Also, £5 million was made available for Gary Cahill. So that does take us beyond £20 million, in fairness.

So, by that token, I would estimate that he probably has somewhere between £10 million - £15 million to play with, plus any money raised from sales.

Then there are the so-called 'special cases', a player who might tickle the fancy of all concerned.

This is why McLeish told the audience at the Banks's/BRMB Football Forum in Sheldon the other night that, no, he didn't have the wherewithal to splash out £8 million or £9 million on one player, David Wheater was the example in question.

Hence also the move to bring in Bobo Balde for pre-season training with a view to a free transfer. It makes sense considering the circumstances.

Balde, McLeish suspects, still has sufficient mobility and strength. Whether he's rusty, or his hunger has been diluted, he should find out for definite in July.

Balde is not McLeish's prime target for centre-half.

Standard Liege stopper Oguchi Onyewu is someone he has at the top of that list.

McLeish said at the Forum - which can be heard on Friday at 7pm on 1152am Gold - that he wants speed and mobility in the position, as well as know-how.

In essence, this is what he has in mind for his team: "We need players who can take the football, more quality" he said.

"I don't mind a couple of big gorillas at centre-half because that spine is so vital for us.

"So, with another quality midfielder, two, strong and mobile centre-halves, then I think we are getting there.

"If I can find that ultimate striker and the two Davids fancy it, then it's all systems go."

As we know, McLeish wants at least 10 new players through the door come the Premier League kick-off. He was talking in general terms above.

Ideally, he wants to make the squad more athletic and younger as well.

You could be forgiven for thinking that, after an interview that surfaced today, to primarily address the climax to the SPL season, he wants half the Rangers team.

Naturally, he gets asked by journalists north of the border about Kris Boyd, Madjid Bougherra, Barry Ferguson and so on. And Eck replies honestly. However, so often in these instances people still put two and two together and come up with five.

I can't see any of that trio heading to St Andrew's this summer as it stands now. McLeish has other players in mind and judging from the flurry of activity at Wast Hills during the past couple of weeks - it's been like an agents' convention - Blues seem quite a way down the road with a couple of transfers.

Footnote: Standard Liege drew 1-1 at Anderlecht on Thursday night, Oguchi Onyewu playing 90 minutes in front of the watching Alex McLeish.

Radhi to go

2009-05-19T11:17:34Z

There's a popular phrase 'big unit' to describe players who are, well, hulkingly big.

And if there was one who it applied to at Blues more than others, it was Radhi Jaidi.

At 6ft 4in tall and wide-bodied, Jaidi provided quite a barrier. Sure he wasn't dainty on his feet and teams always tried to run him down his side.

But when sharp and focused, he was a tough old bear and aerially, he was one of the most dominant centre-halves to wear the Blues shirt. It was if he had a breeze block stuck on his shoulders the way he used to thud balls away.

Jaidi's time at St Andrew's is over after the club decided not to take up the 12-month option on his contract.

It was partly due to cost, partly due to Alex McLeish wanting to freshen it up in the heart of defence.

I caught up with Jaidi on the telephone in Djerba, an island off the coast of his native Tunisia, where the big unit was getting in some big rays.

He was fairly philosophical about his axing although intriguingly didn't rule out returning on a reduced salary deal.

McLeish saw him as back-up for the Premier League, perhaps a decent replacement to come in as and when. But the desire to move on, to find the next Radhi Jaidi overrided any sentiment.

Two seasons ago, Jaidi and Martin Taylor formed the backbone of Blues promotion success.

Jaidi powering onto a corner to connect with the ball was a fearsome sight, and he chipped in with some vital goals that campaign.

In the Premier League, he didn't get much of sniff until the new year. His lack of speed and athleticism was too much of a risk for Steve Bruce.

Circumstance meant that he got an opportunity and, to his credit, during the stretch run he gave his all and produced some performances that merited man-of-the-match as Blues tried to stave off the drop.

The 'Jaidi Jumping Jive' designed at putting off goalkeepers at direct free-kicks always raised a smile, but was also highly effective.

This season, again he started down the grid but forced his way to the front and, although sometimes given a run around by eager strikers, he tended to impose his will on them in the end and come out on top in the personal duels.

Jaidi was a decent bloke, and always an engaging interviewee. His English turn of phrase was quirky but at the same time endearing.

His sentences tended to never end, he would pause, think of the right context, and then carry on earnestly making one point and then another.

He always used the word 'concentrate' a lot and it became a bit of a standing joke to guess how many times he would utter it when speaking to the press.

Off the field he admitted he tended to not do much else than sleep, which was perfectly in tune with his laid back personality.

I'd be surprised if there weren't a fair few clubs in the Championship ready to pitch in for Jaidi, a 'big unit' indeed.

The spoils of the season

2009-05-14T20:52:12Z

Someone said to me the other day that Blues had no player in the PFA Championship team of the season, didn't win a manager of the month or a player of the month award.

But then they got promotion, so they must have done something right.

Fewest goals conceded, fewest losses. More points than Albion who won the title last season. Best record against the best teams.

That someone was Alex McLeish. Not that he was bitter - far from it - just a little miffed that Blues were always seemingly dismissed.

It was probably because they kept on doing what they had to do, they didn't have a startling purple patch.

Wolves won seven games in a row on two occasions early. That gave them the platform to go on and take the top spot, despite a spell of one win in 11 games.

And there was the perception that Blues couldn't string two passes together, unlike my friends at 14th-placed Doncaster Rovers, who were 25 points behind Blues. (let's not go there, eh, they'd only get the wrong end of the stick . . . ).

That said, Blues won the performance of the week for the 2-1 win at Reading. To be fair, it would have been hard not to have given them that one!

Peter Beagrie, Sky Sports Championship expert, often had a downer on Blues. But at least he has seen fit to name two players in his team of the season: Maik Taylor and Lee Carsley.

Predictably, he has been slated for choosing that pair.

Matthew Kilgallon got in, ahead of Liam Ridgewell, who has been an unsung hero in the league's best defence.

Ross McCormack, who snubbed Blues in the summer, was selected too. Take away his penalties, could he have done what Kevin Phillips did?

And if there were signings of the season, what about Stephen Carr and Keith Fahey for 'big spending Birmingham'?

Talking to Carsley this week for an exclusive Blues View interview, he was not happy that Blues didn't play the dashing football everyone wanted. But he was happy that promotion was achieved.

Now it's a case of taking another step forward said Carsley. And so far, from my conversations with McLeish and David Sullivan, there does seem to be a vigour and determination to get the right people in and, more importantly, harmony.

Blog on

2009-05-13T06:41:38Z

We will be hosting another live web chat on Friday at noon (GMT) to discuss all things Blues.

Do join me on www.birminghammail.net as there sure is plenty to get our teeth into following Blues promotion to the Premier League.

Blues are, indeed, on their way

2009-05-04T17:46:20Z

Got into a sort of argument before the Reading showdown with a well known face on satellite television, who happens to be a Blues fan.

"Well, if we do go up, we don't really deserve it," he said.

Excuse me, I replied, you finish where you deserve to finish over a 46-game season.

Why do people think there's always a rain cloud hovering over their and their team's head?

Speaking to Lee Carsley after the promotion-clinching victory, he said he was shocked by the pessimism and air of doom and gloom surrounding Blues after he signed, and this from a local.

It wasn't until he was right in the thick of it did he realise what the atmosphere was like.

So Blues didn't deserve it? Nonsense.

Everyone would have liked them to have scored 100 goals and stormed to the title. But it doesn't happen like that and only three teams in recent years - Sunderland (of Peter Reid, not Roy Keane), Fulham and Reading - have torn it up in the Championship.

Blues got up their way. It wasn't always pretty, in fact it was grim on some occasions, but they were effective and in terms of character and will, they had no peer.

Their success was relative to the league they were in this season. Finishing on 83 points, that was two more than Albion totted up in winning the title last year.

We tend to forget that Blues made their best ever start to a league season when they hit the top in October.

And they ended with the best record against the top-half clubs, and they were the defensive unit, despite various changes for various reasons.

Sheffield United might think they 'deserved' automatic promotion because of their late run (helped along the way by Lee Mason of course). They didn't because Blues, with all the pressure on them at Reading - all the pressure on them all season in fact - got the result.

Reading, the team everyone kept telling us were the best around after bashing both Wolves and Blues away, they 'deserved' it, didn't they? No.

Imagine if Blues had finished the season with five defeats, three draws and just three goals on their home ground in eight games, there would have been hell to pay.

Cardiff City might think they 'deserved' a play-off place after being in the mix for so long and missing out on the last day by just one goal. Tough.

Blues never dropped lower than third position and were only out of the top two for roughly seven weeks, on and off.

The fact that Blues won promotion by scoring the fewest number of goals - 54 - since the Championship started should not be ridiculed but grudgingly admired for it showed that the fundamentals in other departments were strong and constant. Blues were difficult to beat.

Take the Reading match. They lost concentration only once really, just after scoring, and conceded a goal.

Then, as the game boiled to a conclusion, they repelled everything that Reading threw at them. By the end, there were five up front for the Royals; it was never like this in Instanbul, was it, Djimi?!

The age and experience of Blues was often held against them. In fact, it counted for a great deal.

Dave Jones's comments after his Bluebirds blew up struck a chord. They had the opportunity to finish top a few weeks back due to the games in hand they had.

"Where we have fallen short is through a lack of experience and knowledge of how to deal with the situation we found ourselves in," he said.

"Maybe my players have been affected with nerves as well. Perhaps they didn't have the mental strength to see through a promotion campaign."

After the celebrations had died down at the Madejski Stadium, Alex McLeish was quite reflective when he spoke to the media.

He said this season had been 'an absolute ordeal'.

He revealed how much of a burden it was carrying the hopes of so many people and dealing with the demands, criticism, sniping and general 'always look on the dark side of life' attitude.

His comments about his future were also illuminating. He didn't like what he called 'car crash' management, he didn't like having to use the loan system and thinking short-term.

Where Blues go from here, and whether or not McLeish will be able to implement the 'infrastructure' he talked of is going to be decided over these next few fascinating summer months.

On the verge? But . . .

2009-05-01T17:55:03Z

Strange, isn't it, that Blues could clinch automatic promotion on Sunday and any feelings of euphoria probably wouldn't last long.

Seen it before, done it before, heard it before, know what's coming . . .

The latest comments by David Gold hardly generate confidence that Blues, if they return to the Premier League, will be anything but plucky scrappers.

"I think the question is not how do you stop yourselves from becoming a yo-yo club but how do you stop yourself from becoming a Leeds, Leicester, Charlton or Southampton,"
the chairman said. "That's more important than saying how you become successful."

Revenue will jump to £50 million on promotion and a significant sum of money, quite simply, has to be made available to address the needs of the team and squad.

Blues fans have heard all the arguments about the need to run a tight ship, being 'lean and mean', balancing 'risk and reward'. They understand all that.

Quite frankly, they - we all - need to be inspired. Nobody is asking for an £80 million Sunderland style-splurge, just that the boat is pushed out a little further than the edge of the harbour.

Look at Fulham. They really should have been relegated instead of Blues last season, but their amazing sequence of results and Blues inability to deliver in the big games at the end meant it was Championship football again at St Andrew's.

In the summer they spent £11 million on Andrew Johnson, £4.8 million on Bobby Zamora, got Mark Schwarzer and, coupled with the quality they already had and the blossoming of a shrewd signing like Brede Hangeland, they're being talked of in terms of European qualification.

And let's not even start on Wigan Athletic.

The manager has to be able to identify the right sort of players, and mould them into an effective unit. His judgement has to be spot on, sure.

Steve Bruce did it in 2002, getting Kenny Cunningham, Robbie Savage, Matthew Upson, Aliou Cisse etc. But that was seven years ago; the landscape has changed.

Those equivalent types of players are quite happy filling up squad spaces in the Premier League. You are looking at £5 million - £6 million as a base figure for a decent perfomer
nowadays. It is also harder to 'land' on someone like Christophe Dugarry, and watch the punt pay off.

But this is a debate for if Blues get there. Reading on Sunday has to be negotiated.

The feeling from Wast Hills today was that Blues are not feeling sorry for themselves after Preston North End, rather angry at messing up like they did.

They have another crack at it. Let's hope then not another crack after that too . . . in the play-offs.

Decisions, decisions

2009-04-29T09:37:32Z

The guessing game has started.

Who does Alex McLeish pick for the second bite of the cherry at Reading?

It's (again) win or bust, and there are important decisions to get right in the forward areas.

Before we get onto that, a quick point from the Preston North End game and the decision making in the wake of Lee Bowyer's sending-off.

Why didn't Eck shut it down and send on Lee Carsley with Blues 1-0 up? He's taken flak for it, and from this reporter too.

So I asked him and, in fairness, unlike some managers who bristle at the slightest hint of criticism, he answered.

"For clarity's sake, he was going on and it was something we had considered," said McLeish.

"We were having a look at the pattern of the game first and, unfortunately, Paul McKenna scored his 'worldie'. The timing was out, and when it was 1-1 we obviously had to change tactics to try and get another goal, which we almost did."

There were eight minutes between the red cards for Bowyer and Lee Williamson and McKenna's goal.

Both teams went 4-3-2 and the management team asked that one of the forwards dropped into midfield to help, to track back, once possession had been lost.

Said McLeish: "You can't beat yourself up about it, because you'll never know it that decision would have won us it. You'll always wonder.

"Don't get me wrong, I have beat myself up about that one as well.

"The game did become a bit open and, as they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

"Most decisions we have got right this season.

"We understand that people might only remember other ones, but that's the fickleness of football, I am not going to criticise or argue about that. That's the nature of football.

"Maybe, maybe no. If we had lost a goal in that way, 4-4-1, people would have said 'he's gone so negative; 10 against 10 is the same as 11 against 11'.

"The 4-4-1, we will always wonder. And apparently that was McKenna's first shot at goal all season.

"These are the fine lines. 'Why did you not stick Lee Carsley on?', 'why did Cameron Jerome not score?', 'why did Radhi Jaidi go rashly at the free-kick, because Reading would be out of it now?'

"We could have had a penalty, a push in the back on Cameron by Sean St Ledger. You saw the Sheffield United one we had against us; that was worse. Fine lines."

The fine lines are even finer now as we prepare for the Madejski Stadium showdown.

McLeish has to try and find the right balance for his team. They can't be too safe, they can't be too open.

Blues certainly want their best finisher and goalscorer on the pitch for the maximum amount of time, so that means Kevin Phillips is sure to start.

Garry O'Connor hasn't rekindled his form of earlier in the season since returning from injury, so that is possibly where at least one change comes.

Personally, with Bowyer suspended, I'd shove Keith Fahey inside and put James McFadden on the flank. The Damien Johnson and Carsley combo in the centre is a little too samey, and Blues need as much creativity as they can muster for me.

McLeish and his staff also have to second guess Reading. They know their tactics will revolve around trying to get players moving down the sides of the centre-halves, who are hardly blessed with lightning quick pace on the turn.

Defensive positioning, in midfield as well as at the back, is going to be another big factor.

And then there were three

2009-04-27T20:51:39Z

From Birmingham, onto Berkshire; the must win game moves.

Reading's win at Norwich City, thanks to Shane Long's two goals, has set up one heck of a showdown and made Blues failure to book their Premier League ticket on Saturday all the more galling.

Blues lose at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday, Sheffield United do no better than draw - and it's the Royals who go up automatically.

No question, Blues blew it against Preston North End. At 1-0 up - their favourite scoreline this season - you expected them to have seen the game out.

But four minutes after Keith Fahey's goal, Lee Bowyer and Lee Williamson tangled like pair of rugby league players, went forehead to forehead, and were sent-off.

Bowyer was daft to become embroiled as he did, especially as he was on a yellow card anyway. However, especially with emotions pumped and the stakes in the game so high, you're never going to get him to act like a shrinking violet.

Phil Dowd is the sort of referee you can accurately describe as officious. He makes his mind up, and that's it. Taking into consideration the magnitude of the game, he should have realised it was not a violent confrontation and had a word.

In the Scottish Cup semi-final hours earlier in the day, there was a flare-up involving Rangers' Mo Edu and St Mirren's Stephen McGinn that incorporated a hard push in the chest and a slap in the face.The referee in that instance, Calum Murray, told them to calm down and get on with it.

It was a further eight minutes after the red cards until Paul McKenna smashed a stunning equaliser. In those eight minutes, should Alex McLeish have sent on Lee Carsley, probably for the ineffective Garry O'Connor, and shored it up? Quite possibly.

Although it was 10 against 10, by having four across the middle of the park and James McFadden up front - who can keep hold of the ball to allow others to join in - Blues might have stifled the eager threat Preston carried.

That said, you can't legislate for two such well struck long range goals, nor Blues turning in one of those performances that they have done on occasions at home, just when it was least needed. They weren't quite firing, they missed chances, they were on edge at the back.

Talk about problems at home, though, and thoughts turn straight to Reading.

The Madejski Stadium has become a temple of doom: four defeats and three draws in their last seven games there, and just two goals.

Away, they are unbeaten in nine games.

The pitch, churned up because of the ground share with London Irish Rugby Club, won't be something that Blues will complain about either.

Here's what Dave Kitson - a McLeish summer and January target - had to say about it: "It's not the only excuse but all the lads will tell you it is a very big factor and people don't realise that.

"Our away record has been excellent but we haven't won in seven home games and I'm certain that is the reason why. I just hope it will be OK for Birmingham."

Something's not been right with Reading this season, they haven't clicked as they should considering the type of players they have and they way they like to play.

They have beaten Wolves twice and rattled in three goals defeating Blues at St Andrew's, and their team has been kept more or less in tact for around three years.

But they don't have the same ruthlessness as the 2006 version that romped the division and then finished eighth in the Premier League.

That said, undoubtedly last night's result was a killer for Blues.

Blues wanted Reading out of the equation and obviously therefore less motivated.

Steve Coppell probably would have held back some of his key players. James Harper, Chris Armstrong were missing against Norwich, Noel Hunt is out with a broken bone in his foot and Kevin Doyle's knee isn't quite right, hence why he was on the bench at Carrow Road.

Reading's superior goal difference now gives them a big, big sniff.

Sheffield United are at Crystal Palace, and the conspiracy theories involving Neil Warnock have surfaced.

Although Warnock is a well known Blade for life, apparently he and Kevin Blackwell aren't exactly the best of buddies and he left Bramall Lane in acrimonious circumstances.

However, it won't be a team of Warnocks out on the pitch. Neither a team of Simon Jordans, however much that would appeal to him. Palace's players have no history, no beef with Sheffield's; you have to base the predictions for Sunday on Palace's players being on the beach already.

So here we go again; for the second week running Blues have it there before them, only this time it's now got a whole lot tougher.