Went to both of those. The away game was pretty scary in the away end. After Spider Sutton hacked down Francis for third time we had 30,000+ people chanting "Animal, animal" in the St. Andrews bowl. I recall a battered and bruised Peg staggering down the side of the pitch after trying to take the homd end - on his own.
Not sure a wake up call is needed as I'm sure what's lacking isn't lost on SM. It's still the beginning of the refining process now. Given how we've started, playing off the shoulder seems to be the preferred method. Just need to practice and perfect. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
I do wonder if we'll see Etete instead of Watters this week? To me Watters still looks a little lacking and would be better off playing off a number 9 rather than trying to lead the line himself. He's obviously not been helped though by the wingers coming in to support when their opposite number is trying to play balls in etc. As Clingo (and many of us have) said, it's a work in progress that is still in need of refinement and tweaking.
I still think he’ll persevere with Watters. To be fair to him it’s not as if he’s been missing chances (like Collins last season) but he hasn’t had any. He was a hairs breadth from heading home at Reading. There’s got to be more creativity from midfield - how many seasons have we been saying that for - let’s see how he gets on if he has some chances.
Agreed. If he's missing chances then fair enough, but that's not the case. He makes the runs but he's hardly had the service. He arguably made Sawyer's goal against Norwich with his run across their defence - that was as good as a goal in his name.
I mentioned on the Norwich thread that Bothroyd was giving Watters positive comments during the game. A couple negative ones as well, but more positive. A goal or two will make a world of difference. Its fixable on the training paddock.
Good morning you wonderful bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds. How's everyone feeling about today's encounter? I see Birmingham New Street is closed because of the train drivers strike. Might affect the attendance and/or put extra cars on the road. If the Brummie fans have any sense, they'll stay home. The game could well turn out to be the survival of the fitest and the effective use of the bench really important. For those oy you lucky enough to be going, keep yourselves safe in this heat.
An evertonian fishing mate is heading for villa today. 12.30 kick off as well. Given temperatures, the earlier kick off may be a blessing for players, though it's still going to be bl00dy hot. The bench will be key, as you so wisely say Mr Drum.
Morning clingo et al. Got a good feeling about today - mind you I get one of those every game. Having said that, this looks like an encounter between two teams in transition. It'll come down to who has moved the most in their new direction and in that department Morison has had more time than Eustace to sort things. Historically most of our Brum games I've seen have been pretty "blunt force trauma" affairs. If we can keep the ball away from them and ultimately use the bloody thing more effectively, we should take this. Don't play their game because they'll probably come to spoil and pinch it which in all fairness is a legitimate tactic. As you say clingo, with the effect of this heat on the players, this could easily be won off the bench.
Morning Mr Clingo sir. I trust and hope that all is well with you this fine sunny morning? I am just preparing to head off from the land of the tractor to go to the game via Chepstow to pick up a mate en-route. He's been kind enough to offer me his spare (ie. wife's) season ticket for today. One slight potential problem is that he and her are classed as senior citizens now.... So not only am I impersonating a woman today but it also needs to be a more "senior" one.... Now, where did I leave that Mrs Doubtfire costume...... Have a great day guys and keep hydrated (Sparky, keep this Peronis chilled!!).
All good here thanks Brizzle. I'd definitely go with a summer frock if I were you - let the breeze get at your luds! Enjoy the game
Giving the early kick off, I thought we might have seen Speculative Sparkey's odds checker by now along with a list of bets. We seem to be favourites for this one. If it comes to the bench I'm hoping Philogene, Collwill, Harris et al will see us home.
Morning Mr Clingo and all fellow Bluebirds. Given it’s only the third league game of the season I find this one hard to call. We played well against Norwich and I fancied us to beat Reading. Brum haven’t had a bad start so they will be decent opposition. As long as we continue to play proper football and continue to develop our passing on the ground game I’ll be happy. Predicted us to nick this one 2-1 hopefully.
Yup, the Capital City are favourites for this one indeed, so price not so hot @ 11/10 Can't be arsed with that, so going for City to win with a handicap of one goal @ 3/1. That's 50 quid on City winning by more than a single goal - any scoreline.
Was surprised to see us approaching evens with the draw and a brum win around 2/1. Didn't fancy doubling up with a scorer? I think predicting scorers this year will be difficult as goals will be well spread out. Would be nice to score more than 1 today.
Just parked near the Cornwall. Walking to the ground in the shade as much as possible 'cos its f'in' hot. Playerrs will need to be cery careful. Water breaks every 10 minutes or better still, turn on the sprinklers every 15 minutes. No hosepipe ban here yet.
