This is good for the team. There is proof the team can defend now they need to do it against a good team. A win will give confidence as well.
I am not usually one to bash the ref but he was really hopeless having no control over the game and appearing really not what know what to give - often only something when a player complained. Anyway a solid defensive performance in the main and Tozser was very good. Maybe not the prettiest attacking display but FF and Deeney worked hard to ensure we kept pressure on the back 4.
Not looked beyond page 7 thus far.... just to concur in my refereeing capacity that that was indeed one of the most inept and clueless performances you will see from a team of officials at a professional sporting event anywhere, any time... mind bogglingly awful. What a c... That is all.
I have not previously commented on a referee on this forum. I think sometimes people are quick to criticise when they have a difficult job. But that has to be one of the worst refereeing performance I have ever seen, awful! Anyway, pleased with the win, especially pleased with Deeney scoring after the stick their fans were giving him, and thought it was quite poetic the farcical way it was scored! I do think that Tozser has made a difference to the team. His presence gives the opportunity for the industry of Battochio and Merkel, and Fessi has really come onto his game last few matches, in fact since Park joined!
Ref aside, I was encouraged by last nights performance. Not great, a bit scrappy at times and too defending too deep for the las 15 minutes. But I thought they really put a lot of effort in. I thought Deeney was excellent, but most of the team put in a shift last night. I think 'Boro will be a tougher test on Saturday which should see the return of DG. What are the odds on him scoring?
[video=youtube;2zytWQcSmhQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zytWQcSmhQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUptKljTrbdMTgmuekGKhRug[/video] COmical miskick first time jsut before Deeney's goal!!!
Nor hacking Fessi's legs away in the box, nor the late off the ball challenge on Cassetti, nor the ref waving Fessi on and then stopping the game and sending him back off to wave him back on etc....
Good to get another home win but there wasn't a lot of good football on display and I thought Birmingham were poor. The main plus points for me were a solid performance from Angella and Doyley, good all round defensive midfield play from Tozser and excellent dead ball delivery too, boundless enthusiasm and effort from Forestieri without always producing an end result. It worries me that we still sit very deep and invite the opposition on and that when Anya doesn't play we don't have much pace down the flanks. There were more long balls played than usual, perhaps justified by the feeling that Brum's centre backs were not as imposing as many we've faced, though they didn't lead to much. I see Deeney still thinks he should come 30 yards to complain to the referee about decisions he had absolutely no involvement in...does he really think it helps us get decisions?
We have heard a lot about managing a game in the latter stages, yet last night I heard that Almunia collected the ball and quickly threw it out to Bellerin catching him unawares, leading to a handball and a yellow card. As this was in the last few minutes of the game you had to wonder why one of our most experienced players didn't hang on and see what was happening, or send the ball into the other end of the ground. He might be a good keeper, but that didn't suggest that he is conveying the instructions to play safe very well.
We were good. Blues were better than Brighton. Neat moves all round, thought Battoccio did well and Toszer. Ref had a shocker. ..and the longest queues at Fridays I have seen.......
Did anyone else see the ref wave FF back on? Because I am certain that's exactly what I saw. He waited and waited trying to be a bit of a smart arse then penalised FF. If FF was in the wrong, then that was booking all day long and he looked as though he was reaching for his cards. But he must have realised that he would look an even bigger tit when the footage was reviewed after the game. What a complete and utter numpty.
Does anyone know what the Birmingham manager is on about - he reckoned they were the best side - must have been at a different game to everyone else if he thinks that.
Everything that he has said I predicted he would say when Mini Bloother and I were heading back to the car. Predictable nonsense and a total lack of honesty and respect to the (better) opposition.
The thoughts of a Brummie fan which appear to suggest that he was at a different match too. Quite how he can rant about Deeney's goal celebration when the video evidence is there for all to see is anyone's guess. Appears to dislike Fessi too - may have clouded his vision.... http://www.joysandsorrows.co.uk/2014/02/view-from-the-south-watford-v-birmingham-city/?
They had more of the ball 2nd half but didn't really threaten considering we were sitting back quite a lot hence the not looking as good as last season comment when we thumped them 4-0 playing typical Zola football. Neither team can say they played well and Almunia wasn't really tested that much. We all know Deeney likes to take the mick and joke around - of course it was his goal btw. Didn't Gerrard support Everton but the other week celebrated in front of them at the derby? He has a point about the injury time but that just summed up how poor the ref was!
