Birmingham City - West Brom Albion: Match Thread

[ericlegrisly too]

Most of our problems stem from the squad’s lack of quality in depth, virtually every sub we make weakens us which means we have to keep our better players on the pitch for longer: fatigue=concentration lapses=mistakes. Blues on the other hand were able to make changes which actually made them stronger, which (I’m guessing here) is probably the case for many of the teams in the top half. Whatever division we find ourselves in next season, our rebuild is going to take a lot longer than one or two transfer windows.

It's no surprise that Blues ended the game much stronger, as they had far better options off the bench than we did.

The biggest challenge is the lack of attacking options. This is the area that needs addressing most urgently in the close season, whichever division we find ourselves in.

Not least because about 4 of them are out of contract. So we'll need to make changes by necessity.

I see this as a good thing, because it will free up wages and force the teams hand. I wouldn't mind keeping Grant and Jed on reduced deals, but Maja and sadly Dike need to be out of here.

Broadly agree with that.

Maja has pretty much already gone, but Dike's recent minutes have gone some way to explaining why successive managers haven't played him. I'd like to think there's some hope he'll come good, but it may be that those big injuries have reduced him. Sad, as you say.

[Tom Joad 25]

Just watched the highlights and can see why blues thought they did enough to win. That said I thought we did enough to earn a point. You don't always get what you want in football. Massive credit to ER for patching an injury hit, demoralised side into a high pressing, 'thought shalt not pass', never say die outfit. There's a few concerns obviously but I grew up in the era of defence first and the rest will fall into place eventually. Great effort from the team. Top marks to our fans as well, loud, proud and still selling out away games - not just this one either.
Not fashionable to do so but I have to say Blues have got that pre match thing nailed. I loved the lights down and playing Food for Thought. Very good.

[Gzbaggy]

Most of our problems stem from the squad’s lack of quality in depth, virtually every sub we make weakens us which means we have to keep our better players on the pitch for longer: fatigue=concentration lapses=mistakes. Blues on the other hand were able to make changes which actually made them stronger, which (I’m guessing here) is probably the case for many of the teams in the top half. Whatever division we find ourselves in next season, our rebuild is going to take a lot longer than one or two transfer windows.

It's no surprise that Blues ended the game much stronger, as they had far better options off the bench than we did.

The biggest challenge is the lack of attacking options. This is the area that needs addressing most urgently in the close season, whichever division we find ourselves in.

Not least because about 4 of them are out of contract. So we'll need to make changes by necessity.

I see this as a good thing, because it will free up wages and force the teams hand. I wouldn't mind keeping Grant and Jed on reduced deals, but Maja and sadly Dike need to be out of here.

Broadly agree with that.

Maja has pretty much already gone, but Dike's recent minutes have gone some way to explaining why successive managers haven't played him. I'd like to think there's some hope he'll come good, but it may be that those big injuries have reduced him. Sad, as you say.

If Heggebo gets injured we are going to be in trouble as we have no fit strikers.

Has anybody seen Bray or Sule play? We spent a little bit of money to get them here so the club must have seen something in them. At their age they should be ready.

[wba13]

Well at least we know Chris Davies doesn’t know the rules, he stated with VAR they would have had a penalty when it hit Styles hand accidentally. Well Mike Dean says, He said on Sky Sports: “The defender’s tried to block it, it’s gone through his legs, hits his knee, his backside and then his hand. It’s a complete accident. It’s not a handball and is the correct decision.”
So if I were you Chris I would look up the rule book.

[KRO]

Just watched the highlights and can see why blues thought they did enough to win. That said I thought we did enough to earn a point. You don't always get what you want in football.  Massive credit to ER for patching an injury hit, demoralised side into a high pressing, 'thought shalt not pass', never say die outfit. There's a few concerns obviously but I grew up in the era of defence first and the rest will fall into place eventually. Great effort from the team. Top marks to our fans as well, loud, proud and still selling out away games - not just this one either.
Not fashionable to do so but I have to say Blues have got that pre match thing nailed. I loved the lights down and playing Food for Thought. Very good.

Like I said play well and you can get a result anywhere in this league. You probably should have at Cov too. Close at Ipswich. No doubt they’re playing for the manager either. 
And yeah our pre match stuff must be ok as I usually get in for it now. After years of having an extra pint. Plenty think the lights down aren’t by choice though. A lad walking behind me yesterday was convinced the floodlights had failed. I hear that every other game

[Fido]

Just watched the highlights and can see why blues thought they did enough to win. That said I thought we did enough to earn a point. You don't always get what you want in football.  Massive credit to ER for patching an injury hit, demoralised side into a high pressing, 'thought shalt not pass', never say die outfit. There's a few concerns obviously but I grew up in the era of defence first and the rest will fall into place eventually. Great effort from the team. Top marks to our fans as well, loud, proud and still selling out away games - not just this one either.
Not fashionable to do so but I have to say Blues have got that pre match thing nailed. I loved the lights down and playing Food for Thought. Very good.

I said to my lad at the end that they seemed to be playing that but it seemed a bit different. I've only just found out it's "Forever Blue" to that tune, must have completely passed me by. Thought it sounded good and captures the mood well.

[Peachofacross]

Most of our problems stem from the squad’s lack of quality in depth, virtually every sub we make weakens us which means we have to keep our better players on the pitch for longer: fatigue=concentration lapses=mistakes. Blues on the other hand were able to make changes which actually made them stronger, which (I’m guessing here) is probably the case for many of the teams in the top half. Whatever division we find ourselves in next season, our rebuild is going to take a lot longer than one or two transfer windows.

It's no surprise that Blues ended the game much stronger, as they had far better options off the bench than we did.

The biggest challenge is the lack of attacking options. This is the area that needs addressing most urgently in the close season, whichever division we find ourselves in.

Not least because about 4 of them are out of contract. So we'll need to make changes by necessity.

I see this as a good thing, because it will free up wages and force the teams hand. I wouldn't mind keeping Grant and Jed on reduced deals, but Maja and sadly Dike need to be out of here.

Broadly agree with that.

Maja has pretty much already gone, but Dike's recent minutes have gone some way to explaining why successive managers haven't played him. I'd like to think there's some hope he'll come good, but it may be that those big injuries have reduced him. Sad, as you say.

If Heggebo gets injured we are going to be in trouble as we have no fit strikers.

Has anybody seen Bray or Sule play? We spent a little bit of money to get them here so the club must have seen something in them. At their age they should be ready.

Not sure either are ready from what I've seen. Mandey looks our best bet at the moment but the club have converted him from a striker to an attacking midfielder. Scored quite a few this season and physically imposing too.

[Jacko]

Well at least we know Chris Davies doesn’t know the rules, he stated with VAR they would have had a penalty when it hit Styles hand accidentally. Well Mike Dean says, He said on Sky Sports: “The defender’s tried to block it, it’s gone through his legs, hits his knee, his backside and then his hand. It’s a complete accident. It’s not a handball and is the correct decision.”
So if I were you Chris I would look up the rule book.

Laws ffs 

[Borin' Baggie]

It's no surprise that Blues ended the game much stronger, as they had far better options off the bench than we did.

The biggest challenge is the lack of attacking options. This is the area that needs addressing most urgently in the close season, whichever division we find ourselves in.

Not least because about 4 of them are out of contract. So we'll need to make changes by necessity.

I see this as a good thing, because it will free up wages and force the teams hand. I wouldn't mind keeping Grant and Jed on reduced deals, but Maja and sadly Dike need to be out of here.

Broadly agree with that.

Maja has pretty much already gone, but Dike's recent minutes have gone some way to explaining why successive managers haven't played him. I'd like to think there's some hope he'll come good, but it may be that those big injuries have reduced him. Sad, as you say.

If Heggebo gets injured we are going to be in trouble as we have no fit strikers.

Has anybody seen Bray or Sule play? We spent a little bit of money to get them here so the club must have seen something in them. At their age they should be ready.

Not sure either are ready from what I've seen. Mandey looks our best bet at the moment but the club have converted him from a striker to an attacking midfielder. Scored quite a few this season and physically imposing too.

Sule is ahead of Mandey but he's also coming off a huge injury layoff that curtailed a much needed loan way too prematurely. Though Mandey definitely has the physical attributes his decision making is well off this level at the minute.

[baggpuss]

Most of our problems stem from the squad’s lack of quality in depth, virtually every sub we make weakens us which means we have to keep our better players on the pitch for longer: fatigue=concentration lapses=mistakes. Blues on the other hand were able to make changes which actually made them stronger, which (I’m guessing here) is probably the case for many of the teams in the top half. Whatever division we find ourselves in next season, our rebuild is going to take a lot longer than one or two transfer windows.

It's no surprise that Blues ended the game much stronger, as they had far better options off the bench than we did.

The biggest challenge is the lack of attacking options. This is the area that needs addressing most urgently in the close season, whichever division we find ourselves in.

Not least because about 4 of them are out of contract. So we'll need to make changes by necessity.

I see this as a good thing, because it will free up wages and force the teams hand. I wouldn't mind keeping Grant and Jed on reduced deals, but Maja and sadly Dike need to be out of here.

Broadly agree with that.

Maja has pretty much already gone, but Dike's recent minutes have gone some way to explaining why successive managers haven't played him. I'd like to think there's some hope he'll come good, but it may be that those big injuries have reduced him. Sad, as you say.

If Heggebo gets injured we are going to be in trouble as we have no fit strikers.

Has anybody seen Bray or Sule play? We spent a little bit of money to get them here so the club must have seen something in them. At their age they should be ready.

Why?

Even out 'fit strikers' aren't scoring goals!