Often Partisan

Nominations and Ruminations

Lee Clark has been nominated for the SkyBet Championship Manager of the Month award for December along with Mick McCarthy of Ipswich, Billy Davies of Nottingham Forest and Steve McClaren of Derby County for a month which saw Blues continue their unbeaten run.

It feels kinda weird that Clark has been nominated for the MOTM award bearing in mind the level of antipathy still felt towards him around St Andrews. Blues haven’t recorded a home league win in three months and whilst their form on their travels has been impressive one can understand the undercurrent of frustration that is circulating Small Heath when the Blues are in town.

However, it would be churlish to not recognise the fact that Blues have done well of late; whilst the form is reversed from the norm (ie winning away rather than at home) Blues have been winning games whilst scoring a fair few goals and crucially picking up clean sheets that has seen their overall goal difference rise into the positives. People may pick up on the fact that we are using the most successful formation from last year to do this and Clark should have went with at first but I think some recognition has to be given to the development of players like Lee Novak and Olly Lee who have gone from seeming no-hopers to decent components of the team.

It’s going to be a tough run of form to continue though; Blues go into the match against Brighton at the weekend stripped of their two first choice centre backs and with much reduced options up front. Whilst Clark is undoubtedly looking to sort out the Dan Burn situation in either re-loaning the Fulham defender or bringing in a replacement he will have to ensure that the defence remains a cohesive unit despite the changes. It could end up being a tough baptism in his favoured position for Will Packwood but I am of the belief that Blues will have to bite the bullet and give the American the nod as I think it will benefit us in the long run.

With Mclean and Lingard also gone Blues will be missing their quickest and most creative players of late and it will be down to either players who have yet to deliver this season – Andy Shinnie and Shane Ferguson – players who have been cast out – Darren Ambrose and Scott Allan – or the rawness of youth – Dimmi Gray and potentially Liam Truslove – to step up to the mark and to fill in the gaps. That I think will be one of the biggest tests of Clark as I think he will have to either rehabilitate one of Ambrose or Allan into the squad or put even more faith in youth as the season wears on and the inevitable injuries and suspensions hit.

I don’t think Clark will win the award; after Derby have won six and drawn one of seven I think it can only be “Schteve” McClaren to get the bottle of bubbly but it is good that Clark is in a position where he is at least nominated. I think the biggest hope now is that we are able to continue the form we are in to the extent he is nominated again this time next month.

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93 Responses to “Nominations and Ruminations”

  • Clint Bestwood says:

    The manager of the month award is often the kiss of death for a team’s form so lets hope that Schteve wins it.

  • DoctorD says:

    Please not the curse of the manager of the month award! Winning it’s usually followed by a heavy defeat isn’t it — or perhaps that’s just “anecdata”.
    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=anecdata

  • Burnham-on-sea-Blue says:

    Congratulations to LC, I’m certainly not his biggest fan but you have to have a certain amount of admiration for him in how he is dealing with the situation at the club without ever moaning!

    PS. Clark OUT ;)

    • Frankie says:

      Hope the P.S was a lame joke.
      Lee Clark fully deserves to be nominated, for the amazing job he is doing at St Andrews.
      So some of the ‘butt-heads’ on the Tilton don’t like him.
      A lot of them wouldn’t know a football if one was inserted up them as a suppository.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        Made me chuckle. :-))

        • Staffordshire Blue Nose says:

          why? So the back slappers have their day with this but….. we are now playing the way we were succesful at the end of last season…. Not brain surgery was it but took LC over 3 months to go back to it AND only because the players wanted a settled team. So well done Lee for the last 6 weeks but why did you change the winning formula?

  • clubclassblue says:

    I know injuries have been a factor but the likes of Ambrose, Allan and Ferguson should be regular starters when you look at our squad. Packwood came back from Bristol with some glowing reports and it would be good to see him settle in at centre back. We know that Robbo is going to get additional yellow cards and two games out soon so we still need some cover.
    Hopefully LC can pull some strings and get one or two in during January. He wont be winning the MOTM award but definitely deserves the nomination.
    Upcoming East Midlands derbies could be a real test.

  • steve says:

    Well done Mr Lee Clark. Congratulations to you your staff and the players.
    Not many managers can do what you have done with a cash strapped club.
    Keep up the great work.
    Keep right on.

    • thejudge says:

      Couldn’t agree more, Clark is doing a fantastic job, just would have been good to see some of the draws wins and we’d all be breathing easier.
      Just read in the guardian PP was paid £1m for last season… Seems a little out of touch given our financial situation.

      KRO DNM

  • Chris W says:

    Well done to LC for being a contender but does he want the poisoned chalice, I think not.
    As for the trip to Brighton and until the defence can be sorted I have no problem with Will Packwood.
    He played well on loan at Bristol Rovers and obviously knows the players, so move Robbo across and Ferguson at LB shouldn’t make much difference. Up front is more of a problem, but with Novak playing behind Ziggy might mean we have to adapt to a 4-4-2 which we have struggled with until we can find another striker or flood 5 into midfield, which would make it difficult to break through thus protecting our defence, we will lack pace to get forward.
    In LC we trust and I am sure he will have a plan
    KRO+DNM

    • StaffsBlue says:

      With our defensive problems, (it’s almost certain that either Mullins or Packwood will partner Robbo) I think we have to go with either 4-5-1, or a defensive 4-2-3-1. . Whichever formation we play, we have to provide defensive cover in midfield. Either way, I think it’s time to play our successful partnerships, Caddis / Burke and Hancox / Ferguson. Who is Adeyemi’s best partner, I really don’t know… but sort that out and with Zigic and Novak up front, I think we’ll be ok.

      • Chris W says:

        Adeyemi’s partner for me could be Allen, if he sorted himself out. but I think Mullins will do the holding job allowing Adeyemi to link up between defence and attack giving us a little more depth in central midfield with Burke and Ferguson attacking down the flanks, that’s my opinion anyway.
        KRO+DNM

  • Agent McLeish says:

    LC has done well and is the right man for the Blues. As much as I want the current ownership and hangers on gone (please go now) you have to say that PP has chosen managers wisely. IMO both CH and LC were good decisions. Now, as fans we all want to win every game but you have to be realistic and factor in what LC has had to endure with having no additional funds available and his better players constantly being sold to fund other items. For me LC has worked miracles, never moaned and just got on with his job. I take my hat off to him.

  • dave mann says:

    its great hes been nominated but dont worry about the dreaded curse cuz steve mclaren will
    win it anyway….6 wins, 1 draw….blues 2 wins, 4 draws…were settle for the runners up
    prize.KRO.

  • andy says:

    Lee Clark more than deserves some recognition for his tireless work at St Andrews, even the clubs own supporters don’t recognise the fact, or choose to ignore it. 10 games unbeaten in any League is no mean feat, especially managing a club that is virtually on its knees. The owners may now be getting ready to sell him!! Well done Lee, well deserved.

  • mark says:

    great that our manager in great company going for this award, myself would rather him keep going, and maybe next’s month award would be far more enjoyable…………………………………..and we still be unbeaten………..

  • mark says:

    Daniel packwood be a worthy defender having seen roger Johnson display yesterday so glad we did not offer him anything……………

    • chas says:

      I understand your comment,Mark, but I don’t think Johnson would have to face the likes of Toure , Navas or Djezko (is that his name even?) very often.. He ,Johnson, was let down by the rest of that ermmm… Defence ..

  • mark says:

    we got some cracking younger players, and imo they need to kick on…..these younger lads need to be tested, u21 development fine……..but they need to taste the nitty gritty and the rough terrain of the championship…………to see if they can make it………….only game time and experience can help this….kro

  • dave mann says:

    andy, i know the supporters i go with home and away appreciate the great work lee clarks doing
    its the fans who dont go who slag him off.KRO.

  • Knobby says:

    Sometimes blue noses drive me mad. Some have got it completely the wrong way around and some of the comments on this blog highlight this.

    Why feel antipathy towards LC when really you should feel sympathy. I mean, no cash for players, good loaned players being recalled, crap loaned players not being recalled, Chairman on bail, say no more about Peter Pannu and booed by the clubs fans/supporters/followers.

    Be very careful what you wish for.

  • Oldbluenose says:

    I have not been amongst L,C’s greatest fans, — but credit where credit is due, — under diabolical circunstances, he has done exceptionally well, when you stop to consider that in the last season and a half, we have sold or released so many experianced players, only by ” freebies “, loans and acadamy youngsters being available to him, he has indeed grown into the job and worked wonders,!!.

  • dave mann says:

    ive been saying on many occassions that if lee clark was manager of another club doing the
    job hes doing and we were outsiders looking in with the circumstances hes had to put up with
    we would all be praising him and lording what a great job hes doing, cuz hes our manager theres
    always a few out there who think we deserve better…..we dont and were lucky to have him, hes
    made some tactical and team formation mistakes but tell me a manager who hasent, as knobby says
    be carefull what you wish for!!!!!! KRO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    At this moment in time… there are only 3 teams in the top 5 divisions who have gone 10 games unbeaten. Brentford and Luton Town are the other two… and I’m sure their managers don’t get the stick that Lee Clark does. Admitted, they are top of their respective divisions, which shows just how unlucky we’ve been.

    Clark will do for me every day of the week. He has my complete respect and support.

  • andy says:

    Lets put the Villa situation to one side, even the most successful manager in Blues’ history, Alex McLeish, got stick from supporters. Clark is on a massive learning curve still and if and when the mess at the top end of the club is sorted Birmingham City will reap the rewards because Clark will become a top manager.

  • dave mann says:

    the worst mistake alex mcleish made was not so much leaving us but joining vile, he was never
    gonna be given a chance and if he had done is homework he should have realised it, ok relegation
    blotted is spell at blues but 9th place in the premier and a league cup was better than any other
    manager as ever done for us though we did have money to spend then, is carear as gone
    backwoods since and i still wonder deep down if staying with blues and trying to get us back
    up would have been a better option for him…..were never know!!! KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I’ve nothing against McLeish as a person, he’s always seemed like a nice guy. The fact that he left us and went to villa doesn’t bother me at all… his loss. What I really had against him, was his tactics. I know he got promotion, the 9th place finish and the cup, but OMG, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such dreary football in my life as that which I witnessed during his tenure. He wouldn’t, or couldn’t, change, whatever the circumstances. I would never, ever wish for that again. At least Lee Clark tries to play football and is not afraid to change tactics or personnel to alter the result of a game.

      • Agent McLeish says:

        I agree, it was dreary under AMc. It did make me laugh how much PP protested when the randy bloke across the road came in for him. In the background PP must have been rubbing his hands together thinking of all the compensation coming his way. It astounds me the amount of money that BCFC has generated from player and manager transfers over the last three years or so and we still don’t have a pot to pee in.

  • bluenosedaz says:

    I think Ambrose could come back into the side in the current formation. He first started for us in a 4-4-2, but he has no defensive qualities to his game. In a 4-2-3-1, his creativity and long range shooting would suit one of the attacking midfield positions.

    Of course, if he plays and is crap, please forget I ever suggested this!

  • dave mann says:

    though in theary i agree with staffsBlue and AgentMclsish about,the football generaly is record
    at st andrews results wise was outstanding, and dont anyone tell me that the performance at wembley
    was dreary and boring, far from it, and please dont tell me that you didnt think that alex mcleish at
    the final whistle wasnt the greatest thing since slice bread and results is all that matters and not
    performance…… because sorry guys i dont beleive you!!!! KRO.

    • Agent McLeish says:

      Ahhh, that day at Wembley beating Arsenal. Best feeling ever at a game, I thought the play-off final when we went through on pens was special the the cup final eclipsed this! The look on Wenger’s face at full time was a picture.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      It was still just one game dave. He bored me to death most of the time. Sorry mate, I wouldn’t have him back for any money.

      • Staffordshire Blue Nose says:

        Seriously? He took us up on a show string, I can’t remember how much he spent on transfers to get back up but we did even with Bent up front….

  • andy says:

    McLeish was the manager of Birmingham in the Premiership not Barcelona! Maybe dreary to some but it was a style that stopped us getting rolled over by the big teams and the most important factor was the players gave everything for the manager, the Cup Final win proved that. Losing Martins and Zigic to injury after that final cost us our Premiership place I believe. But this is not about the past now, its the present and again Blues have a manager that players are giving their all for and that is half the battle to any success.

    • mike b says:

      hi all……..sorry the relegation was down to mcleish,s negativity…..oh just for the sake of one goal…one point………

      • Chris W says:

        Sorry, relegation was down to underachieving players, they thought winning the club was enough.
        That was then and we all enjoyed a great day out, today we have an even harder battle, then we had money and high earners, today we have no money and a bunch of loans, bosmans and kids.
        They need that Wembley atmosphere every week, they get it away, the few that go make themselves heard and encourage the team on, what happens at home?
        KRO+DNM

        • steve says:

          The lack of strikers done us.We only had Phillips.Jerome was out more than in .Martins and Zig never played again.Also,Scott Dann didn’t play for the last third of the season.

          • Shirley Blue says:

            And Barry Ferguson bust his ribs in the final and Craig Gardner missed about 6 weeks after through injury, I think Jarinek didn’t play again after the final. Nice winning the cup but it cost is dear.

          • Richard Granfield says:

            There were 12 league games after the Carling Cup Final….
            Jerome played in 11,
            Ferguson played in 9,
            Gardner played in 8.
            Phillips played in 7,
            Jiranek played in 5
            Zigic played in 2.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I think that in those last 12 games, if Ferguson had passed the ball forward just once, we may have got the point we needed to stay up. I’m jesting… but you know what I mean. :-)

  • steve says:

    To put this nomination into perspective.David Moyes has been nominated for prem manager of the month

  • Shirley Blue says:

    I knew Jerome and Phillips played plenty of games after the final. I remember Ferguson was playing with his ribs strapped up. Anyway, it’s all history now. We didn’t deserve to go down that season and the injuries did play their part.

  • Shirley Blue says:

    What more can I ask? How about a win at home!

    • StaffsBlue says:

      A win against Yeovil a week on Saturday would be very welcome. I just hope we can bring a couple of players in soon to, not only freshen things up, but to boost morale, which may be flagging a little after losing all those players at once. Most of the teams we’re playing in the next month have new recruits.

  • Frankie says:

    Like him or not McLeish is probably one of the most tactically savvy managers anywhere.
    That victory over Arsenal and Scotland’s victory in Paris being just 2 examples.
    So sad that he spoiled it somewhat though by joining the Vile.

    • Agent McLeish says:

      He could have gone to so many other clubs but to chose the vile was crazy. Can’t understand what motivated him to do that – yes I agree that working under CY/PP must have been bad but to go the the vile? It’s now tarnished his reputation as a manager and as yet he has not recovered.

      One thing I do like about Blues is that we don’t follow the so called fashion for non-UK managers (remember Venglos at the Vile!). We have so much talent in our nation which is being stifled at the top end of the game by billy bigtime chairmen. Just look at the previous two England managers for example. No we have Roy the team seems to have established somewhat.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        It wasn’t just Venglos at the Villa… remember Houlier? Another disaster. In fact, the last really good side down there, was under John Gregory. But I am glad we’ve stuck to British managers at St Ans.

  • dave mann says:

    what do west brom do…. appoint a spanish manager, what do vile do…sack a british manager
    ( well theywill do after monday nights loss to arsenal) we stick with a young english manager
    whos improving at a vast rate…our rewards will be there for all to see after a change of
    ownership or massive investment which will happen eventually…your see all you doom and
    gloomers!!! KRO.

  • Frankie says:

    Yes Dave, i really feel that Lee Clark has a huge future in the game, hopefully with us.
    I do feel though that he will eventually go on to manage Newcastle.
    Times are tough right now at St Andrews but even now we are seeing some benefits, with the opportunities for the young lads in the development squad.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I too think that he’s destined for the Newcastle job… not yet, but 4 or 5 years down the line.

      I’m glad we don’t have a foreign manager… tippy-tappy-3-passes-sideways-1 pass-back definitely isn’t my idea of football.

  • dave mann says:

    pardews still got 6 years left on is contravt so cant see lee going there for quite a while,
    also ive got no problem with a foreign manager if he plays like barcelona, real madrid or
    bayern munich because thats the way football shoulld be played., dont know many
    british managers who play that way… the only english clubs are arsenal, swansea,
    southampton maybe and theyve all got foreign mansgers so a non british manager
    wouldnt bother me if they played it that way…..but then you do need the players to
    do it and we havent so not to worry just yet i suppose.KRO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Lee Clark talking about Craig Gardener in the BM this morning, plus the search for players.

  • dave mann says:

    ive heard through the grape vine about craig gardner and the chances of getting him on loan,
    he use to come in to my place of work when he was at blues and told us he never wanted
    to leave blues but was forced to and i believe him…..love to have hin back just love it…..as
    kevin keegan would say…but again its all about wges.KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      99.5% drop in wages vs playing for the club you love. Hmm.. only one winner really.

    • Chris W says:

      He is bound to say he never wanted to leave, he was one of the first to hand in a transfer request along with Ridgewell and Foster after the season had ended.
      Do we really need more midfielders?
      We need a central defender and someone who can score goals.
      KRO+DNM

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I think we have the players to score goals Chris, the only one who’s gone is Lingard and he only contributed 2 goals in a dozen games anyway. Burke, Zigic and Novak will do the job, but the prority is to shore up through the middle. The better we defend, the more chance we have of scoring and winning a game.

        • Chris W says:

          I still think we have enough mid-fielders, Mullins, Ambrose, Allen, plus those who already play Adeyemi, Reilly, Shinnie and Burke, we need cover for when the inevitable happens with Robbo and his 10th Yellow bringing about a two match ban, but if we are in need then look elsewhere. Those that deserted us don’t deserve to come back, no matter how good they were.
          They couldn’t get away quick enough to the greener grass on the other side of the fence, now let them rot in my book.
          KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I wouldn’t argue with any of that really. We all know what the priority is and so does Lee Clark. He’s admitted, he’s made a number of enquiries… but, when you have no dosh, your options are limited. To be able to wait to see what comes of the Burn situation would be ideal, but I’m not sure that’s an option tbh… we need someone in now, not in a couple of weeks.

          • Chris W says:

            On a positive note Mitch Hancox has passed fit for tomorrow, if Will Packwood can slot into the middle with Robbo we should be ok. Ideally Robbo could get a yellow tomorrow he will only miss Bristol Rovers and Yeovil. The cup should be fairly straight forward even with our current squad and can’t see Yeovil offering much at St Andrews.
            KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I think, with the lack of height now in the defence, it has to be Packwood. Imagine a back 4 of Caddis, Mullins, Robbo, Hancox? They’d lob it over us all day long. Packwood could deal with stuff in the air and Robbo can sweep up.

          • Chris W says:

            That’s why I think Defender/s need to be a priority, we have enough midfielders, not sure about attackers, Novak seems to be improving but can we rely on Ziggy when the pitches get heavier. I think against Bristol LC should look at other forward options.
            KRO+DNM

  • dave mann says:

    yeah we trully would need some some financual help from sunderland or whoever if we were
    to pull that one off, when it comes to the love of your club and city or the love of your family
    and future, to right theres ever only one winner.KRO.

  • Tony says:

    Gardners wife and family hate it up there, they would jump at the chance to come back to civilization so you never know.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Although no one really needs 5 grand a week, never mind 20 or 30 grand… there’s no way a player will choose football over money these days. It just won’t happen. If we could get him in on loan till May, that would be the absolute best you could hope for.

  • dave mann says:

    that would do for starters staffs but tonys right the wife hates it up there because her and craigs
    parents live in brum and hes comes back many times over the last 12 months to visit them so its
    not totally out of the question it could happen…..but its the same old same old as usual.KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      It’s all down to money dave. It’s the be all and end all. I’m sure that if he took that 99.5% cut, he’d be signing on the dotted line tomorrow, but it’s not going to happen and we don’t have the finance to take him permanently. A loan would be good though… imagine him and Adeyemi in the middle.

  • Agent McLeish says:

    Craig himself wouldn’t lose out financially with any loan move as he is still contracted to Sunderland. It would be down to Sunderland to say loan him to Blues and take a financial hit with the hope of raising the players stock. What a desperate situation we are in – I’m convinced that the current ownership are just waiting to hoover up the final parachute money before clearing off.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    McClaren has won manager of the month. Phew.. the unbeaten run has a chance of continuing now. :-)

  • dave mann says:

    as i said staffs its the same old same old…..money, its ruining the game and dictating players
    futures and as you said guys the owners futures to waiting for the parachute money then
    hopefully there clear of then but ime not holding my breath……i was thinking about where we would play craig in the system, either along side adeyemi or as one of the three behind zigic, he could
    play both roles easily at this level.KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I’d maybe play him further forward than Adeyemi. As we all know, Gardner loves a tackle… and I’d rather him do it as far away from our goal as possible. ;-) But seriously, apart from his shooting from outside the box, he could help in breaking up attacks further up the pitch.

  • dave mann says:

    is free kicks aernt to bad neither so i would prefer him alongside the 3 behind zigic, i wouldnt
    change the current system to suit him cuz its working fine as it is…on mclaren winning the
    manager of the month, well deserved but that means 3 points for leicester tonight in the live
    sky game and a fall from grace for derby……and ofcourse with our away record 3 points
    at brighton tommorow for the upwardly mobile blues.KRO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Nice little Q&A with Taity on bcfc.com today.

  • dave mann says:

    makes gardners tackles look child like compared to taits efforts, a tackler, a bruiser, a brummie,
    an absolute legend, not always for all the right reasons but is SOTV t shirt at wembley in 1995
    against carlisle after that golden goal was legendry and i was sitting right where he came up
    to celebrate….never to be forgotten.KRO.

  • dave mann says:

    makes gardners tackles look child like compared to taits efforts, a tackler, a bruiser, a brummie,
    an absolute legend, not always for all the right reasons but is SOTV t shirt at wembley in 1995
    against carlisle after that golden goal was legendry and i was sitting right where he came up
    to celebrate….never to be forgotten.KRO.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Somebody at Blues needs to explain why Akwasi Asante has been out injured with a hamstring injury for the past 5 MONTHS, with no date set for his return.
    Cruciate injury suffers return in 5 months!!! The reason I highlight his injury is that we have signed strikers on loan this season and wasted money when Asante would have fit the bill.
    He was also out for the majority of last season with the same injury.

  • Shirley Blue says:

    I have got a feeling he will go three centre backs tomorrow with Caddis and Hancox as wing backs. He can then also go with three central midfielders as Reilly and Lee really struggled against Barnsley. I also have a gut feeling the unbeaten run will come to and tomorrow. Losing two good centre backs in Burn and Bartley at the same time is a significant blow. Hope I’m wrong – I usually am!

    • Chris W says:

      I agree that losing both Burn and barley is a blow, but I think a draw will see us through tomorrow.
      Those who are left have a lot to prove and we play with less fear away from home, if it had been a home game then I would agree with you on the unbeaten run ending, as it is I think We will extend it till after Yeovil, but by then we should have Bartley back and possibly a couple of loans in.
      KRO+DNM


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