Blue Heart of the City (An MM Diary)

[Jonno394]

I'm well into manger mode at the moment, and I am finding it hard pressed to play online when I have this little distraction. So, after loving Baddars MM diary so far, I have decided to give mine a go. If noone reads this then I will keep posting as long as I can be arsed.

Birmingham off to a successful start under new boy Crosbie​

When Carson Yeung indicated his interest in the unknown and inexperienced 24 year old jonathan Crosbie, Birmingham fans feared the worse for their return campaign in the England League.

However, their initial fears were allayed during a successful pre-season seeing Blues undefeated in 4 games, with the main highlight being a memorable 1-0 victory at the San Siro against Inter Milan, with Crsobie himself scoring the late winner.

So far, apart from himself, Crosbie has not signed any new talent, and has instead opted to consolidate what he has got, and give the youngsters in his squad the oppurtuninty to progress, most notably in the League Cup, with an inspired performance by Simmons in midfield earning a 10 rating against Lincoln in a 2-0 victory away from home.

The season has so far seen Blues undefeated and having only lost 2 points leaving them sitting in 5th place.

The season highlight has to have been the Benitez inspired 7-3 victory away to Burnley. Benitez has now established himself as one of the best small strikers in the league, earning such praise and comparisons to the likes of Gianfranco Zole, with his deft touches, turns and play making ability.

The future looks bright for Birmingham under this young and inspired manager. Keep your eyes posted here for all the results, problems, rumours and stories.

Match day 6

Hart Horror Show hand Blues their first defeat​

Birmingham City 1 - 2 Wigan Athletic

Two clangers by Birminghams onloan Keeper Joe Hart handed the blues their first defeat of the campaign today at home to Wigan.

After a strong start to the season, Birminghams ride came to a shuddering hault as former Blues boss Steve Bruce brought a full strength side brimming with confidence after back to back victories to St Andrews.

After a lively opening period, a Hart miskick landed at the feet of ex blues boy Oliver Kapo who delicately lobbed thekeeper from outside the box.

After a rollicking from team captain Liam Ridgwell, Hart was found lacking again ten minutes later when he clattered into Charles Nzogbia after a smart breakaway. The ref had no choice but to point to the spot, and the penalty was duely converted by recent signing Doyle.

Credit to Birmingham for not letting their heads drop though, creating chance after chance but the makeshift strike partnership of Bent and O'Connor found Kirkland in inspired form, and even when the keeper was beaten, the woodwork intervened 3 times.

After the game Crosbie was blunt in his assessment.

"Our squad depth is severely lacking, and I was at fault not to bring any new faces in before the transfer window shut. We had to chop and change today because of injury and tiredness, but it has shown us that we will need two or three player in January."

There were some positives to be taken from the game though, as Lee Bowyer returned to action for the first time since an injury against preseason opposition Fulham, and scored a screamer late on.

"Lee played a good 20 minutes today, and I'm sure it will be like having a new player now he is back with us. I doubt i'll see a better goal scored this season by a player in Blue. I've never seen him score from that distance in training, i'll put it down to a fluke *laughs*"

 

[Barry]

Good stuff Jonno, it reads like a real match report, but with a little more color.

 

[Jonno394]

Match Day 7

Bent Burns 'wood at Blackburn​

Blackburn Rovers 0 - 1 Birmingham City

Birmingham performed a smash and grab today away to Blackburn with Marcus Bent sliding in from close range on the 92nd minuite to seal a dramtic win for the Blues. The experienced striker, starting only his second game, latched onto a Crosbie throughball in the dying seconds to send home fans away with the Blues.

After a forgettable first half, the game came to life with the introduction of Dunne in midfield for Blackburn, and the exblues man found himself in the right place at the right time to volley a poor punch by reinstated Blues Keeper Doyle, only to see it rebound off the post to safety.

Blues were shaken and for a while on the back foot, but their success this season has come from shutting out games, and the central partnership of Ridgewell and Johnson performed admirably against Diouf and Roberts, keeping the chances to a premium.

Paul Robinson was in England recall form as he produced an array of saves to keep out the Blues frontline, and he will be dissappointed to have not kept a clean sheet.

Crosbie was happy with the result but was not without his complaints.

"We defended well but we lacked that creative spark in the attacking third. I'm not a manager to complain about luck, but we have both of our top scoring strikers out through injury, so to come away with the win is a great result."

Looking to the future, Birmingham has two midland derbies ahead, at Home to Wolves and the big one, away to Aston Villa. Crosbie is relishing his first taste of derby success.

"As a kid, I got all the stick off the Villa fans for being a bluenose, so these are the moments you look towards in your career. Hopefully Chucho and Jerome will be back for the Villa game so the Blues fans can see the best of us out there."

When asked what he thought the results would be against these two opponents, Crosbie merely laughed and said;

"If I was psychic I'd have won the lottery by now, but at a guess, I think we'll do ok"

 

[Baddar]

Good luck with this mate. I appreciate the opening comments.

 

[Dale C.]

This better not jinx us Jonno, you cunt.

Hart Horror Show hand Blues their first defeat

This seems all too real :'(

 

[Jonno394]

Match Day 8

Blues leave it late to get ahead of the pack​

Birmingham 1 - 0 Wolverhampton

Gary O'Connor and Birmingham celebrate today after taking all 3 points in the first of their derby double header. In a fiery contest that saw two players red carded as well as a penalty, it took 87 minutes before the dead lock was broken with a diving header by O'Connor from a Lee Bowyer corner.

However, the drama did not end their, with Wolves Captain Jody Craddock seeing red for hauling down Phillips in ridiculous fashion in the 90th minute, only for the small striker to hit the post with his penalty.

Earlier in the match, Stephen Carr had been sent for an early bath after two late challenges, leaving Birmingham with 30 minutes to play out with ten men. In what many are now calling the fiercest West Midland Derby yet, there were 10 yellows to add to the collection of reds.

Referee Howard Webb could do little to let the game flow as challenges were flying in all over the pitch from both sides. This stop start nature of the game meant chances were at a premium, and when Bowyer drifted in his late corner, O'Connor duely obliged with his.

Crosbie was ecstatic after the game:

"The boys performed exceptionally well against a strong team even when down to 10 men, and this can only bode well for our team strength and mentality. If we perform like this in every game, then who is to say we can't make europe. It might be a bit too early to talk about that prospect, but hey, I'm a dreamer, two years ago I never thought i'd be here, so who is to say miracles can't happen!"

Birmingham now face local rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday. With both teams flying high so far this campaign, this could be a cracker.

 

[Jonno394]

Match Day 9

Sidwell Red gives Villains The Blues​

Aston Villa 0 - 3 Birmingham City

The second city derby ended as a competition almost as soon as it began as Villa's makeshift defender Steven Sidwell scythed down returning Blues striker Benitez in the third minute with Chucho clean through on goal.

Sacrificing Agbonlahor for another centre back, Villas attacking presence lacked any bite and Birmingham comfortably strolled to another win thanks to goals from Jerome (2) and Benitez.

Lacking the bite and pyhsicality of Blues other midlands derby, Birmingham were able to exploit their man advantage to the max, with swift break aways and wing play to count for their victory.

Blues manager Crosbie was delighted with the win, but his post match antics may well land him in hot water after he was seen gesturing towards the Villa fans.

"I'm delighted. The players knew what the fans wanted of them, and what I expected of them, and they gave 110% to get the result. Being a bluenose myself, I know how much this result will mean to half the city tomorrow!"

"Siddys red definitely took away a bit of the shine from todays result, as you always want to see 11 v 11 and win from that, but he had to go."

Commenting on his post match celebrations, Crosbie is quoted as saying "I got a bit caught up in the moment, this is the biggest result of my career so far, I lost my composure, and hopefully the FA will see that."

The FA have yet to comment on the situation.

Premier League Table

1. Man City P9 22pts
2. Man Utd P10 22pts
3. Blues P9 22pts
4. Arsenal P10 20pts
5. Villa P10 20pts

 

[BarnDoor]

Siddy is it now?

 

[Jonno394]

I thought i'd throw in a bit of manager/player cunt talk. Adds to the realism........