01 04 2006 Birmingham City 0 Chelsea 0
Oh dear! We have thrown the league away... only seven points between us and Manchester United! But seriously, at
least we shall have an interesting run in until the end of the season. The Reds are on form, Chelsea are not.
I drove up the M40 today and didn't get lost for once. Had a cheeky couple in the Brew and Baker which was 10 minutes
walk away from the ground. Apparently it is usually frequented by brasses and drug dealers. I missed out on both
unfortunately. The Birmingham fans I bumped into were pleasant enough - if not a little depressed. It makes you thankful
and appreciate what you have when you chat to rival struggling clubs.
At the game I had an old man sitting to my left who hummed "mmmmmm" throughout the game, and to my right an
oriental fan who kept going, "ooooooooooo". Very strange bunch indeed. I had cow impressions in stereo.
Anyway, today a Birmingham side fighting for their lives battled throughout the game and limited the amount of crosses
we could put in the box. We certainly had enough chances to win the game which we didn't capitalise on, but you can't
deserve to win a game if you can't hit the target (or at least avoid shooting straight at the keeper when doing so)!
I don't enjoy singling out players for bad performances, but Gudjohnsen had a very poor game - he bottled a few
challenges and his passing went astray. Lampard's crossing from corners was very poor and the only shot he did get
sailed well over the bar. I thought his recent average form would have turned the corner by now. Perhaps now with more
pressure on the team we shall see the best from him and our club. At least I pray so! Chelsea's passing was
occasionally sloppy, and Duff certainly seems to have lost some form or confidence in the past few months. At the
moment, Robben and Cole should start every game.
Having said that, in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half Chelsea blitzed Birmingham, and created plenty of
chances which we did not convert! Some Chelsea fans who criticise Mourinho should put some blame on the players,
not the manager. We certainly had an attacking team out, and in the second half had Crespo, Robben, Cole and
Drogba up front. Crespo could have won the game in the dying minutes but chose to hit a difficult shot directly at the
keeper rather than either side of him.
In any case, things are interesting now and I hope those who do nothing but moan start getting behind the team now. It's
difficult to be motivated when you are streets ahead of the rest in the league - now that the competition has tightened up
perhaps we shall see some excitement and real atmosphere at the Bridge!
Bring me some Pampers please!
least we shall have an interesting run in until the end of the season. The Reds are on form, Chelsea are not.
I drove up the M40 today and didn't get lost for once. Had a cheeky couple in the Brew and Baker which was 10 minutes
walk away from the ground. Apparently it is usually frequented by brasses and drug dealers. I missed out on both
unfortunately. The Birmingham fans I bumped into were pleasant enough - if not a little depressed. It makes you thankful
and appreciate what you have when you chat to rival struggling clubs.
At the game I had an old man sitting to my left who hummed "mmmmmm" throughout the game, and to my right an
oriental fan who kept going, "ooooooooooo". Very strange bunch indeed. I had cow impressions in stereo.
Anyway, today a Birmingham side fighting for their lives battled throughout the game and limited the amount of crosses
we could put in the box. We certainly had enough chances to win the game which we didn't capitalise on, but you can't
deserve to win a game if you can't hit the target (or at least avoid shooting straight at the keeper when doing so)!
I don't enjoy singling out players for bad performances, but Gudjohnsen had a very poor game - he bottled a few
challenges and his passing went astray. Lampard's crossing from corners was very poor and the only shot he did get
sailed well over the bar. I thought his recent average form would have turned the corner by now. Perhaps now with more
pressure on the team we shall see the best from him and our club. At least I pray so! Chelsea's passing was
occasionally sloppy, and Duff certainly seems to have lost some form or confidence in the past few months. At the
moment, Robben and Cole should start every game.
Having said that, in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half Chelsea blitzed Birmingham, and created plenty of
chances which we did not convert! Some Chelsea fans who criticise Mourinho should put some blame on the players,
not the manager. We certainly had an attacking team out, and in the second half had Crespo, Robben, Cole and
Drogba up front. Crespo could have won the game in the dying minutes but chose to hit a difficult shot directly at the
keeper rather than either side of him.
In any case, things are interesting now and I hope those who do nothing but moan start getting behind the team now. It's
difficult to be motivated when you are streets ahead of the rest in the league - now that the competition has tightened up
perhaps we shall see some excitement and real atmosphere at the Bridge!
Bring me some Pampers please!
