April 2009 Archives

Did the Toon Army seriously think that the ridiculous fairytale appointment of Alan Shearer would be all it takes to keep them in the Premier League?

It's not all about passionate fans and a legend at the helm, the club's dismal on-the-field results have a lot to do with the over-paid, over-stocked and over-rated squad of players at St James Park.

The general consensus outside of the north-east is that Newcastle are the one that the neutrals want relegated this season to finally dispel this 'big club' myth once and for all.

No club has a god-given right to be in the top flight.

Hear the views of Blues correspondant Colin Tattum and boss Alex McLeish in light of the disastrous 2-1 defeat at home to Preston on Saturday.

As soon as the fixture machine churned out Blues at Reading on the final day of the Championship season then you just knew that the promotion race would be destined to go right down to the wire.

And with it now appearing to be Steve Coppell's managerial swan song, it is going to be far from straight forward for Birmingham City especially if Reading see off Norwich tomorrow night.

Seeing as it is being disbanded from 2010 to make way for the new English Premier League Twenty20 tournament, is the second division of this season's Natwest Pro40 the most pointless competition in world sport?

A chance to hear the views of Alex McLeish, Blues reporter Colin Tattum and Bluenose Andrew Forrester following the 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road.

While it may be a pleasant one, Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish faces a selection headache when Preston North End roll into town on Saturday.
Does Big Eck plump for his skipper for most of the season, Lee Carsley, or his club captain Damien Johnson?
Had Carsley not been sent-off against Wolves and forced to serve a three-match suspension then this headache would never exist.
However, since stepping into Carsley's shoes for those three games, Johnson has been simply inspirational for Blues and it would be harsh on the Northern Ireland international if he was dropped.
Both players are perfect for that 'defensive rock' role in midfield that compliments the lung-bursting charges forward that Lee Bowyer makes.
Carsley and Johnson have successfully played alongside each other for Blues in the past but there's not a chance in hell of Bowyer (a player that, as well as Stephen Carr, has been a revelation since January) being dropped.
It's going to be a tough one to call for McLeish for a match that could potentially wrap up promotion in front of what looks set to be a bumper crowd at St Andrew's.
Bluenoses, who would you go for?

British diving prodigy Tom Daley has a new partner to join him on the boards.
And even if he doesn't go on to win gold at London 2012 then surely Daley's new sidekick should win some sort of gong for having the best name in sport.
Introducing 17-year-old Max Brick - the latest person to be handed the responsibility of living in Daley's shadow after his public spat with previous partner Blake Aldridge last summer.
However with a name like that, lets hope that Mr Brick returns to the surface of the pool after performing a back somersault twist.

Get in the mood for tonight's match at St Andrew's with today's Blues View:

The cowardly act of coin throwing appears to be creeping into the beautful game and it is something that needs to be nipped in the bud as soon as possible.
After a thug (thankfully one that was later convicted for the offence) soured Villa's goal-less draw with Portsmouth back in October by launching a 50 pence piece at assistant referee Phil Sharp, the disgraceful act reared its ugly head in South Wales yesterday during the Cardiff-Swansea derby.
This needs to be stopped but the authorities cannot do it alone. The geniune fans who sit in and amongst these mindless idiots need to speak out.