MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h) sponsored by Martin Hicks

[royalp-we]

[Hound]

Not sure what to make of Brum so far this season. Their stats look roughly similar to ours on whoscored, have just made Clotet permanent on the back of 3 points in 5 games, but the fans looks reasonably happy with that appointment

Seem to be going through some sort of transition, and blooding a few young players. Really does look like one we should be winning

[Old Man Andrews]

Not sure what to make of Brum so far this season. Their stats look roughly similar to ours on whoscored, have just made Clotet permanent on the back of 3 points in 5 games, but the fans looks reasonably happy with that appointment

Seem to be going through some sort of transition, and blooding a few young players. Really does look like one we should be winning

Think they will be very hard to break down, from what I have seen of them they very much set up not to lose and a win would very much be a bonus.

Think Swift could be a big loss for us, players like him are great at unlocking a tight defence.

[URZZZZ]

Not sure what to make of Brum so far this season. Their stats look roughly similar to ours on whoscored, have just made Clotet permanent on the back of 3 points in 5 games, but the fans looks reasonably happy with that appointment

Seem to be going through some sort of transition, and blooding a few young players. Really does look like one we should be winning

Their away form is 2-2-6 and they haven’t won away for nearly three months now. One of their away wins was at Brentford where they had one shot the entire game and completely stole the win

However as OMA said, they don’t tend to concede many. Since their 3-0 defeat to Swansea on the 25th August, they’ve only conceded more than once on two occasions and only lost by more than one goal once (which included a 95th minute penalty by Ralls) so I think it’ll be a close game

[Hound]

just quickly skimming through the reports on their last two games, sounds like Millwall and esp Sheff Weds had plenty of opportunities though

I'm assuming they are also without one of their first choice CBs - Marc Roberts - who has rated very highly on whoscored this year

Agree its likely to be close, but would be a disappointment not to win

That chap Jutkiewicz looks to be their main threat up front. Wins an incredible amount of aerial battles. I wonder if they'd consider putting Miazga on him - who is also extremely strong in that area

[SWLR]

Martin Hicks

Blast from the past that

Free kick v Chelsea in League Cup... now that was a blast-and-a-half... BOOM!!!

[The Cube]

Given how Clotet apparently got the job, does that make this the snake in the grass derby?

[Crowbar6753]

Not in my pecking order..

I suggest you peck elsewhere then because Adam is a seasoned pro.

I'll peck where I want to bro. Olise is the future. And the future should start asap.

Olise is quick, skillful and the future of the club but prone to errors due to inexperience, Whereas Adam is slow, cumbersome and at the twilight of his career but his experience and range of passing are great.
I personally feel that we should be looking at getting Olise game time sooner rather than later, either as a sub or in cup games. Adam has had a great career and now is the time to influence our youngsters in the dressing room rather than on the pitch.
The loss of both Swift and Ejaria was massive on Saturday with the game crying out for a so called flair player and this 3-4 week absence of Swift is the ideal opportunity for Olise to showcase his skills.

[royalp-we]

Firmly believe that Olise needs a loan. I’ve got a feeling that playing now and then during his Development will backfire, a bit like how Loader looks set to leave the club.

He’s looks a real talent. A loan for the rest of the season will do him wonders. Instead of getting lumps kicked out of him in L1/L2, I reckon Holland may be a good destination.

Just seems lightweight and too soon.

[Hendo]

Given how Clotet apparently got the job, does that make this the snake in the grass derby?

*sigh*

[Old Man Andrews]

Given how Clotet apparently got the job, does that make this the snake in the grass derby?

Moron.

[URZZZZ]

Haven't scored a home league goal against Birmingham since 2013!

2014/15 - Lost 1-0
2015/16 - Lost 2-0
2016/17 - Drew 0-0
2017/18 - Lost 2-0
2018/19 - Drew 0-0

[Hound]

Haven't scored a home league goal against Birmingham since 2013!

2014/15 - Lost 1-0
2015/16 - Lost 2-0
2016/17 - Drew 0-0
2017/18 - Lost 2-0
2018/19 - Drew 0-0

some proper miserable performances in that little lot as well

[CountryRoyal]

Haven't scored a home league goal against Birmingham since 2013!

2014/15 - Lost 1-0
2015/16 - Lost 2-0
2016/17 - Drew 0-0
2017/18 - Lost 2-0
2018/19 - Drew 0-0

some proper miserable performances in that little lot as well

That is bleak.

[URZZZZ]

One of them springs to mind in particular

[Hound]

that 2-0 in 17/18 (early 18 if I remember rightly) was up there with the most abysmal performances I've witnessed. Dreadful weather as well

[URZZZZ]

Remember that game well, Birmingham's first away win all season IIRC Yet strangely, probably wasn't in our worst three performances that season

That being said, the dross in 2016 under McDermott against them wasn't much better

It's weird because we always seem to score at St Andrews

[Sutekh]

Remember that game well, Birmingham's first away win all season IIRC Yet strangely, probably wasn't in our worst three performances that season

That being said, the dross in 2016 under McDermott against them wasn't much better

It's weird because we always seem to score at St Andrews

Agreed. Only failed to score in one game in the last 11 played in all competitions at St Andrews and that was the last game of the season Reading were last promoted.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Right, I have an uncomfortable hunch here. Firstly, our home record against Brum over the past 5 years is 2 draws and 3 losses. Secondly, Bowen hasn't had a truly bad result yet and may be due one. Thirdly, over the past few years, whenever we've looked decent the bubble has burst at some point and we've been dragged into a relegation fight.

There are several rational reasons why it shouldn't happen this time, but pessimism is the oldest habit of any football fan, and it hasn't died yet.

[Snowflake Royal]

Remember that game well, Birmingham's first away win all season IIRC Yet strangely, probably wasn't in our worst three performances that season

That being said, the dross in 2016 under McDermott against them wasn't much better

It's weird because we always seem to score at St Andrews

Agreed. Only failed to score in one game in the last 11 played in all competitions at St Andrews and that was the last game of the season Reading were last promoted.

And my one visit to St Andrew's.