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Groundhog Day
Last night Leicester City beat Blues 2-1 at St Andrews to set a new club record for consecutive league wins whilst condemning Blues to a ninth league home game without a win.
I feel a bit like Bill Murray in Punxsutawney at the moment, condemned to go write the same things over and over again. There is only so many times one can discuss the frailty of the team, the thinness of the squad and the preponderance of midfielders in the team without getting boring – and that’s without touching the six foot seven elephant in the room that is Nikola Zigic. The fact is our players aren’t very good, our manager is trying but is limited and our owners are absent and skint. It’s a vicious circle that is going to potentially see Blues washed down the relegation plughole.
Normally, this is when I’d say there isn’t much that we can do about it but this time, for a change I’m not going to – circumstances change and whilst it might not achieve much there is a potential for making disgruntled voices heard. Firstly, as I mentioned on the Often Partisan twitter feed a couple of days ago there is a BIH director in the country at the moment and I am led to believe he may well be at the games. Panagiotis “Panos” Pavlakis, who was reappointed to the board after the AGM at the start of this month, having served a month or so as a director prior to the meeting has been seen at the ground during a game on more than one occasion. If we assume he’ll be there on Saturday then there is a chance to ensure that people make sure BIH understand the groundswell of unhappiness at St Andrews.
Secondly, with the EGM coming up next week BIH are making the attempt to get the shares in the holding company relisted. Whilst I cannot be absolutely sure that it’s true the word is in Hong Kong that they will be successful and the general public will be able to once again buy shares in the holding company on the open market. I wouldn’t personally recommend anyone spends money investing in a company that is struggling in the way BIH is but I would also point out that the BIH board has a legal obligation to its shareholders that it doesn’t have to fans and that as shareholders it would be easier for fans to demand answers from the board.
It’s worth pointing out at this juncture that if BIH’s shares are indeed relisted Carson Yeung will have to step down from his position on the board of BIH for the time being. As much as I think some people see the possible conviction of Carson Yeung as the point when things will have to change I am much more doubtful as I suspect the only thing the FL will insist on is that Carson steps down from the BCFC board also. However, if Carson is convicted another avenue opens up as pressure can then be applied on the Football League to do more to change the situation.
What concerns me is I think that apathy has already won to a large extent. Despite the grumblings online I don’t think there is enough of a groundswell of people who are willing to do stuff in real life where it matters to make an impression, let alone change anything. People have spoken about a tipping point but at this moment in time all I can see is an endless repetition of the same old story, just like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day
Tags: BIH, Panagiotis Pavlakis, Protest
179 Responses to “Groundhog Day”
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The difference in class and quality last night was horrific. That is not Clark’s fault either. How the hell is he supposed to put together a competitive team with owners like these? Anyone who cannot see where the fault lies has not got a clue
do we really need another midfielder on loan?
Clark collects midfielders like his wife no doubt collects Nectar points at Sainsburys.
We have a desperate need for a striker and centre back. ie on last nights showing that’s someone to play alongside a fast improving and solid Packwood (cos Bartley was appalling last night). However Clark the Tinkerman goes out and finds 2 more midfielders (that’s 3 this month!) probably with a promise to MCFC of playing the youngsters regardless of form or impact. Yet we already have loads of senior and young midfielders who each get picked for a couple of games and then dropped.
Yes, Clark does have financial problems to deal with and a number of other issues off the field but he’s still making the selections and setting up the team. Novak for all his hustle and bustle won nothing in the air last night bar once and never has the capability of holding the ball up to lay off. He’s never a one on his own up front! Look how things improved after Clarks’ mates lad Lee was removed and we went to 4:4:2 ! We actually started to pass to one another now and then, and..Yes, even the intro of Lovenkrands, that goalscoring Clark midfield signing of yesteryear, and who had difficulty receiving throw ins, made a difference to the second half.
It was boys v men last night but the manager has to take a big chunk of the criticism for the performance. There were some bright points Bell Packwood and Brown did well. Lets hope they don’t get demotivated when replaced by a young loanee of lesser talent.
At home we are in a self perpetuating spiral. We do not expect to win and the manager sets us up to avoid defeat and /or sneak a draw. The longer we go on losing the worse the morale gets and of course the dwindling numbers watching know we are there for the taking by anyone top or bottom of the table !! It might be best if we plough up the pitch and ask permission for all our games to be played away!! Unfortunately it won’t hurt Carson financially as I suspect there are very few pay on the day visitors in the crowd right now as we are down to the 9000 or so season ticket holders attending who’s cash has already gone.
Still, Half time entertainment was good First prize was a season ticket second prize was 2 season tickets !! The ref stopped the contestant after 2 winning shots on goal when he’d won 2 tickets for the Derby game as it was unfair to expect him to take more punishment.! Perhaps they should offer BIH shares instead. KRO
That is a good assessment of things in my view tms. I keep having to remind myself that we are not a team that’s under achieving, but we are what we are. A poor team, with little or no confidence, no direction, and diminishing support. We looked like a conference side in the first half last night, making Leicester look every bit a premiership outfit. We all know the situation. The manager is no doubt doing his best with the resources he has, and I have supported him many times for getting on with the job without complaint and I stand by that. However, I am no longer sure that his best is good enough. His recent decision making is suspect, in terms of transfer targets, team selection and substitutions. And his apparent inability to motivate the players is starting to have an impact. Many plaudits have rightly gone to Leicester for their club record breaking exploits. We can’t be far from breaking a record ourselves, of consecutive home games without a win? And people wonder why the support is dwindling?
I have to agree Clark I’ve no doubt leads by example. I think he’s a nice, down to earth passionate guy but I’m not convinced he’s ever going to be a top manager, he’s too inconsistent in his decisions for starters. I am sure he tries and tries and works hard like his team often does and the players he likes do too eg Novak and Lee, but skill and guile are needed too and you can’t put in what god left out! Leadership is not just about perspiration its about inspiration, decisiveness, astuteness and a general ability to motivate and I’m not sure those qualities are there.
I am concerned how we are going to survive and if we continue who’s going to be watching at the death. A relegation end to the season used to bring out the crowds but if our home form remains as is there will be jus a few to witness the events. I do hope we can get a fortunate win at home soon because the longer it goes the harder it is to break the hoo do !
I see Bartleys gone back to Swansea ! He looked like his mind was elsewhere last night !. Now Clark will probably sign another midfielder !
My heart absolutely sank when I read Bartley has returned to Swansea, then I read about Huws joining – another midfielder… on loan, with the removal of Elliott to Bristol City. I appreciate Elliott hasn’t been in the team much and could understand if its shifted his wages but I would much rather have his experience.
Only LC knows what he is doing and despite stating he is trying to bring in further players, I can’t help but feel utter skepticism.
So unbelievably fed up.
KRO
Injuries non permitting we now have 15 midfielders – not including the likes of Elliot and Higgins who are out on loan and the likes of Fry and Adams from the youth team.
Mr Paviakis if you are reading this will you please tell the BIHL board “IT IS TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING and let BCFC have a life again.
You people are killing OUR FOOTBALL CLUB in every way possible and destroying not only the current club but also its future by selling anything of any value and leaving just a shell of a club.
If you are in the UK at this time have the guts to come out and tell us what is going on.
Last night was boys against men. Consistently being bullied and pushed off the ball.
I wish we had a few more high earners like Zigic who would have pushed us over into admin before now.
Well according to the font of all knowledge (Wikipedia), Groundhog Day is 2 February and two things can happen: ” if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.” You’ve been warned.
Meanwhile, in the film “Groundhog Day”, theT main character (played by Bill Murray) is forced to relive the day over and over again until he can learn to give up his selfishness and become a better person. So there’s hope for you yet Dan (only kidding).
I watched Leyton Orient v Coventry last night, we wouldn’t be out of place alonside these teams in League One at the moment with the standard of football being played.
You can’t blame the manager or the players, there are doing what they can okay some more than other but that’s the bottom line. The buck stops with the people who own the club (not the guys running it on a day to day basis), Yeung and Pannu are a disgrace, in my opinion.
I wonder if Zigic has been called an elephant before?
An elephant is useful.
I often go and watch Orient too as I’m London based but was at Stans last night. O’s are playing some really good football this season. Both them and Brentford will acquit themselves well in the Championship assuming they go up.
To be fair to Barry Hearn, he’s backing his manager with players this month. Remember the days when we could afford to pay for a player, those were the days!
Indeed. A distant memory. They’re a great example of a well run community club. Pleasing to see them in the top two ahead or all the other big hitters that have much more financial muscle.
if moved like one he be useful lol
I know Clark is not being helped by the owners and is trying his best but he makes some bizarre decisions.
We have now signed another midfield player who we simply do not need, we need a centre half and a striker mainly. We have players he has bought in who he is not playing, Shinnie, Ferguson, Mullins, Lovenkrands. Our squad list on every program is bigger than our opponents, I know it lacks quality but he is just bringing in the same player over and over again with no real plan.
We looked like a team lacking confidence last night, Caddis was woeful and the defence on the whole had no shape. Clark can impact team shape, we have none.
In times of trouble you need a clever manager, we simply do not have one.
sorry cliff we have a small squad by doing what clark doing wade shifted out maybe age or not good enough who know’s. Another young playing attacking midfielder bought in. Clark has already mentioned that this week will be his busiest……..so on that front we have to wait and see…….bell had a reasonable game. some of our own young players are just finding their way into the game sorry but this take time…………rome was never built in a day……….
Look at the squad lists we have the most every game, we do of course have multiple youngters but we do not have a small squad by any stretch. We have a small amount of quality but not numbers.
Understand new player is a holding midfielder which we do not have.
these things happen in football but no disgrace by a blues team who eventually held their own……
towards the end it could have been embarrassing for the foxes if blues had stolen a point……
i wonder if it is really bye bye Ziggy……not only has clark pulled him up about his training, further comments regarding football reasons now have appeared, tbh he has been playing sh*t no effort no desire, not prepared to put himself where it hurts for his team.
Sadly i would rather not have in the team again………….rumours if true WBA want him please take off our hands……so we can move forward a find another striker who will play for the badge…….kro
i have nothing personal towards Ziggy imo he’s time has come to leave………………..
Great, with him off the books we can tick along like this for years. Division 2 is beckoning…
mr.crosby you worry too much…….kro from what clark has done even now is a bloody miracle, and he still manages to keep his head above water while others loses there………..we are here to stay my friend bedding in our players giving them game and match experience……………….Likes of brown even at a early age of 17 is championship quality imo…………..packwood imo will just grow and grow maybe a future blues captain……..
And what happens when they are both sold? Wake up mate ffs.
if sold and that’s a big if try enjoying them while we have them if you think that mate
Certainly in denial.
What do you think CY will do when they run out if funds again? Don’t be naive mate.
Mark seems to love Clark, thats his right but the job is doing is OK but no means great. for me he is a naive manager who thinks he can play football with limited players. We need to be more rigid at the back.
It appears we all know what we need, LC knows what we need, but the important factor is money.
Try doing your monthly Sainsburies shopping with a weeks wage, you can, but you would be living on their basics, past by dates, and Sunday 3:30-4:00pm bargain give-aways.
KRO+DNM
No coincidence that in the 2 games he missed we score headers from crosses, when was his last headed goal, with his height and Burke on the wing its not good enough
And we lost both.
Go onto Small heath alliance and look at the stats when he plays and when he doesn;t
Although Tom Ross can run with the hares and the hounds, he is in a position of influence. Last night, I felt that Tom had finally lost hope. Tom was intimating that as far as the current regime capabilities go, we are at the end of the line! He was blaming Pannu and Yeung for forcing Lee Clark into the disgusting situation of having to potentially ruin the prospects of young players by throwing them into the fray, when in fairness they are not yet ready for full on Championship football. maybe this is the tipping point??
thb that’s Tom opinion imo if the young players are good enough play them, wrapping them up in cotton wool will not enhance their football development…………..Tom loss hope when he got his facts wrong….
imo reece will improve more and more, which is lovely and will only improve if he is playing game time at this level,
and also for Will Packwood…….Bell had a reasonable game, shame about mitch injury other one……. dont you just love it………..i certainly do………..I do feel he talks pants sometimes broadhurst knows more about football……
thb that’s Tom opinion imo if the young players are good enough play them, wrapping them up in cotton wool will not enhance their football development…………..Tom loss hope when he got his facts wrong….
imo reece will improve more and more, which is lovely and will only improve if he is playing game time at this level,
and also for Will Packwood…….Bell had a reasonable game, shame about mitch injury other one……. dont you just love it………..i certainly do………..I do feel he talks pants sometimes broadhurst knows more about football……
thb that’s Tom opinion imo if the young players are good enough play them, wrapping them up in cotton wool will not enhance their football development…………..Tom loss hope when he got his facts wrong….
imo reece will improve more and more, which is lovely and will only improve if he is playing game time at this level,
and also for Will Packwood…….Bell had a reasonable game, shame about mitch injury other one……. dont you just love it………..i certainly do………..I do feel he talks pants sometimes broadhurst knows more about football……
Why do you…… insist on putting….. a line of full stops….. every few words?….. It’s really annoying ….and I just skip your comments!!!!…….
Got to agree with that. Another Gerald in the making.
maybe…he’s…using…morse…code?
His opinion was, that these young lads should be dipped in and out of the team, to save killing them. But, we’re having to rely on them game after game. It’s not right. He’s absolutely spot on. Young players need time to develop.. and it won’t help them being in a team that’s losing regularly.
And Broads was of the same opinion… and he knows these young lads well.
Staffsblue these youngster are fitter than they use to be……….reece is very talented young player and from the game time i see of him…………it appears to be water off a ducks back……………..if youget beat by team simpler to the foxes no great shakes they were simply better. But reece and will and bell footballing education would have done them no harm , in fact i bet they all chomping at the bits to play against derby on Saturday…………
His talent isn’t in question mark. He’s probably going to go the same way as Redmond. My only worry, is that his stamina levels seem to drop after about an hour or so, especially on these heavy pitches at the moment.
The biggest worry with playing the kids all the time is the affect to their performances on the pitch, playing in matches that constantly end in defeat does not build character but does shatter confidence!
Good luck Lee your going to need it!!!!!
KRO
Tom will change his mind when/If Yeung comes back.
Why does everybody keep on saying it’s not Clarks fault? There is no shape, no pattern of play, clearly no plan to win games other than saying just that to the players. He has failed to stabilise any consistency in our play. Much of how a team plays is through belief, you’ve seen that with the top clubs. A manager comes in….with a plan, plugs the gaps with coaching and drilling. We just have to stop conceding goals and concentrate on that alone on a consistent basis.
There is pattern there is shape players just not good enough or too inexperianced. Not Clarkes fault that passes misplaced and wrong decisions made by players in the heat of battle
That’s like saying that a pub team could compete in La Liga. I agree that organisation is important but it is irrelevant without any quality.
I’m hearing that Palace are considering a bid for Zigic.
Zigic is on a t least £60k per week. His current form is absolutely useless and his attitude stinks. He is a mercenary whose priority as a so called professional footballer is to pick up a fat pay cheque rather than do well for his team. Why on earth would an astute manager like Tony Pullis go anywhere near this waster???
Zigic was man of the match only a couple if games ago and if he is so bad were the hell does that leave Lee Novak?
novak got a better goal ratio and a better attitude, more desire and better work rate do that help?
Not this season he hasn’t.
you find zig has 5 and novak 7 but at the end of the day Novak every time time for me mate……
Fans have always been divided on Zigic and always will be. What cannot be disputed, is the fact that his wages have been a millstone around the neck of the club for the past 2 or 3 seasons. I think that when he does eventually move on (hopefully this week) the whole of BCFC will breathe a huge sigh of relief that will be heard outside St Andrews if you happen to be passing.
How many games has Novak played compared to Zigic?
Mr crosby the entire point of the arguement regarding Zigic v Novak is. how many games has Noval actually tried to do his job compared to Zigic ?, Zigic may have appeared more times but Novak has made more effort in the games he has played
Novak has played 7 more games than Zigic this season and scored 1 more goal.
Quite, but there is a long history of players with poor attitudes signing for decent managers / clubs in the hope that they can get the best out of them.
Didn’t Pullis buy Jerome? That’s why!
Unfortunately no one in the BCFC regime worked out in the past that if they moved him on and got around £20 -30 k saving / contribution to his wages then we could have had 3 decent committed champ players rather than loanees. Maybe even at this late stage someone might still pay him £20k per week and save us the trouble.
Eh?
Blues have tried to move Zigic every transfer window since we’ve been relegated. no one has been prepared to take him even at lower wages. Tells you a lot.
I understood about 2 years ago, La Liga’s Palma were very interested but we would not accept the wage contribution offered. Hindsight’s wonderful I know but they should have taken the deal and also accepted his agent’s demands I reckon. There could have been other opportunities but Pannu’s demands were too pricey because he overpaid he always thought others would too.
I don’t think it’s been the club that have scuppered deals… I know Ziggy’s agent killed one.
If true then it would make sense for Ziggy to move to a prem club. He’d get a 2-3 year contract +s/o fee on say £30-40kpw. Yes, less than he is on now but the crazy contract that PP agreed to will expire in 5 months.
Have you checked his age, his effort, form, goal scoring record, and general attitude… which Prem club do you think will give him a 2-3 year contract? Maybe a 2-3 month if we are lucky! You must be talking of the Serbian Premier League I reckon.
It would be nice to see us sign someone who isn’t a midfield player.
Panos Pavlakis has been there the last four games
bcfcanon – can you drop me a line – almajir@oftenpartisan.co.uk. thanks
Phil? Phil Connors? Phil Connors, I thought that was you!
Clark said he’s expecting a lot of activity this week. One in and one out isn’t a lot. Expect more.
The reason that protests seem unrealistic is because people understand that it will achieve nothing. Some think they are protesting by staying away when in reality they are making the situation worse and some are using the current woes to hide behind as they cannot admit they’re no longer interested.
Did anybody see the Cov fan run on the pitch at Arsenal to protest about their situation? Jail/Fine/Ban awaits him, anybody fancy that? What else can we do? Boo? Sing a song? Can anybody come up with an idea? Hard isn’t it.
This new guy may be at the next game he may not be? So what? What makes you think this new guy gives two about the club? It’s just another (poor) investment to him. It saddens me that yet another guy with zero affiliation to the club or even English football has joined the board. It amazes me that he thinks it’s a good investment. He will not be any kind of superhero in any way shape or form.
All we the fans can do is support the manager, the team and the club by attending the games and contributing to club funds. We can’t really seriously talk about protests when we can only pull 10,000 to the games. Now if all the online Blues started turning up that may help.
Good Post.
Last night it got to a point where I called Tom Ross and ranted and let a lot of emotion out about the club and the way I feel. I am not a glory fan who has just had the premier years. I started going down when Blues were in division 3 and since always renewed my season ticket as a given….not sure about next season at the moment in all fairness.
I have personally messaged Panos Pavlakis as I want answers, whether he replies is another thing. I am sad, angry and very tired of the situation at Blues now and we sit just 5 points off the relegation zone with no fighting players in the squad and majority fear the worst. It seems every week when I walk out of the Tilton and another fan will turn around and say “I am not renewing next season if these crooks are still in charge of our club”.
Something needs to happen.
Fans are leaving in seriously high numbers and BIHL and the Peter Pannu’s and Carson’s of this world need to make a statement and assure these hard-working supporters who spend their hard-earned cash week in week out on this club. All we can see is that the club is bleed dry and this club is currently unique in but not a nice way….that way is that we have NO communication or CLARITY of the whole situation about the ownership of the club. EVERY CLUB in the ENGLISH LEAGUES have regular communication with from and with the owners.
Keep Right On.
Chris.
picture taken at Blues
Who’s picture Chris? Mr Pavlakis? his visit to St Andrews is there for all to see. Notice its not during a match though.
I googled pavlakis and after seeing his picture I can say he was certainnly at the game.
He watched the whole of the second half in the Directors box.
His picture on a business social media site is from that box but the ground is empty.
That will be a match day then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not true!
What isn’t true?
yes Mr Pavlakis, i had put a link to this guy but think Al has deleted it but not mentioned the fact
I did, for good reason. Please don’t post it on here. I thought by now people might have realised that if I delete something it’s not cos I’m evil, but I have a reason.
So now your saying we should vent our feelings to this Greek guy? How I’m nowhere near the directors box
Too late. He’s gone back to HK
Does anyone know how to buy shares on the HK stock exchange? If I’m reading the FT right they are worth less than tuppence. However I’m sure there are major dealing costs etc. If not, I would be tempted to buy 1 or more!
Look on the Hargreaves-Lansdowne Website for all the answers. Buyi8ng and selling costs bout £11 a deal , a lot cheaper than you would think. HTH.
OOPS Fat finger time there. that should be ‘Buying’
to be fair 2-1 was generous to us because they were better than us in every department and
thats hard to take from someone who thought we would win 2-1, the concerlation was re rallied
a bit at the end and to nick a draw would have been scandlous on leicester but we go again
saturday and another chance to get a home win against derby, ime gonna say 2-1 to derby
because then we might win 2-1 so bring it on!!!! KRO.
It might have been a bit tough on Leicester had we equalised dave….. but it was the same for us with their soft penalty in the last minute back in August. I’m sure the Leicester fans didn’t give a rat’s that day. I’d have taken a draw last night and been very smug about it. :-))
Aaron martin from southampton in talks with blues whoever he is? KRO.
Richard G mentioned it in yesterday’s blog. He was highly thought of at Saints before his injury.
Centre back, spent time at Cov according to Wikipedia. Must be good then.
Arron Martin is a centre half who has had his contract cancelled by Southampton. Since 2009 he has played 10 times for Southampton, 6 times on loan at Palace, 12 times on loan at Coventry.
DELAY NO MORE
Wasn’t there last night and cannot comment on the performance, The one thing i will say about Clark is that sometimes i cannot fathom his team selections. He has Mitch Hancox who goes down with an Injury, He is playing a team on the back of 8 straight wins and throws Amaari Bell in? no disrespect but Shane Ferguson should have started last night. Can anyone tell me why no Brian Howard all of a sudden? Shinnie gone Awol? we lack experience and creativity and goals yet any creative player seems to be out of favour or not doing it in training??!! i get what Tom is saying in that the team is now turning into a bunch of youngsters. This brings its own pressures least of all the players themselves. i mean yeah training right is iimperative but results is all that matters out on the pitch. We ain’t getting it right at the mo.
not to over impreesed with martins track record then but thats where we are at the momment,
ime just supprised its not a midfielder….are we 100% sure hes a centre half, absoluetey nailed
on centre back….yes?…..just kidding….now all we need is someone to score 23 goals in the
last 19 games….theres a striker at liverpool who might fit the bill????…..well i can dream cant
i. KRO.
Apparently, he played 10 games in Southampton’s promotion season. Following season, he was loaned out to Palace (6 games) and Coventry (12 games.) Coventry manager Stephen Pressley was keen to bring him back permanently, but unfortunately, he suffered a bad injury in a friendly against Eastleigh last summer… ironically his first club.
As a Leicester fan I’ve been reading this site for the past few days as part of the build up to last nights game. I must say it’s so refreshing to be able to read intelligent well-thought comments. I wish we had something similar. I wish you all the very best for the rest of the season.
Many thanks Dean. Good luck in the Premier next season!
dan unfortunately we are where we are in terms of the playing side of the club and even though the youngsters are doing there best at this moment having talent wont mean a thing so lets support them in the best way possible as for cy pp and the others the club means mothing and has it is the only thing within bih that is taking money they will hold onto it it his part of a company nothing more there isnt any feelings for the club from cy or pp also dan I was reliably informed that any protest inside the ground ie banners and the like security will stop them being put up
I totally get the idea of a making a noisy protest to the club to express the fans feelings, but surely this is only worthwhile if the people the protests are aimed at are actually trying to please the fans?
I don’t think there is any one board member that has tried to connect with the fans, nor have they shown a desire for BCFC to win the premiership (for example), no matter how false it may be.
If this was a Vincent Tan scenario, then yes, shout from the rooftops.
This is just a group of foreign businessmen, who happen to control our club, and have no real interest in the long term direction of where this club is going.
We can shout and scream, but there will be nobody listening.
I will more than likely be castigated for saying this, but it is just an opinion, and if anyone does go on to arrange a protest and follows through with this aged approach, you’ll have my backing.
Up the Blues.
we cant be to fussy i suppose in our current situation but lee come out today and said
that hes looking at one or two strikers so lets hope we get some look there, hes still
hoping to bring lingard back but hes more of a support striker than a 15 goal a season
player but then he did score 4 on his debut!! KRO.
picture the scenario,end of feb, blues in the bottom 3,fans screaming why was zigic allowed to leave!
LOL
picture this scenario ….. Zigic stays and come the end of the season we are in the bottom 3 ???? and your point is exactly what? Have you been watching a prolific Zigic in a parallel universe?
Prolific , who the hells a prolific scorer in this team?
We are back in the round of games from the start of the season where we played 2 of the relegated teams, the three teams who were in the play offs last season and the early season favourites. After these few games we were struggling.
As when we were in the premiership we were a mid-lower table team, that is the case now just sadly in the Championship.
We always went on about beating the teams around us and winning our mini-league. At the halfway point of the season we were there or thereabouts at the top of our mini league in 14th place.
Yes I know the home form is terrible and we have a weak squad, but when we are looking at current form let us just remember who we are playing against and there position in the league.
If we had just lost 2-1 at home to Leicester (lets call them Manchester City), Brighton & Hove Albion (lets call them Newcastle Away), and Yeovil (lets call them West Ham), the only real disappointment would be Yeovil, and these things happen.
If we stay up that will be great, and we still have plenty of games against the teams around us to play. At some point we will win at home and get that hoo doo off our back and move on from there.
I am not saying all is rosy, far from it, but whilst none of us want to be here (myself included), lets remember the level we are at now and who we have to beat.
Id like to know whats happened to Ferguson too, he was the star man last year now he cant get a start, he cant become a bad player overnight he has to be a better bet than Bell Surely. Howard was decent in the game he played now hes out the picture, shinnie, Allen, also.
The thing is if its an attitude problem why didnt Clark do his homework before he signed them? after all it was he who signed them.
Its as if Clark is cutting off his nose to spite his face I just cant fathom the guy out for the life of me He seems to be saying its my way all the time, even when his way is sooooo obviously wrong.
We need rid of Yeung and the fat controller, but we have to get rid of this egotistical clown just as badly
Tony, we all know you don’t like LC. In fact you may as well just post that rather than the drivel you always seem to spout. Can’t you offer something constructive to any of the blogs other than the fact you don’t like LC?
Tony – I suspect LC has only managed to seal the deal with Man City for the young lad on the condition that he plays in all games? That could be why there is no place for Howard at the moment. Don’t know if I’m right or whether I agree with it, but with no bargaining position what else can LC do?
You talk about apathy , I’d like to live in the same world as the bloke who sits next to me every game in the Main Stand . “When’s Clark going to buy some decent players ? ” he says ” It’s about time he sold that Zigic , he’s useless ! ” he cries every game ” I really can’t understand these directors , we need a couple of class strikers , the window ends on Friday ! ”
He’s a nice enough guy , and God knows , I’ve tried explaining to him , but it makes you wonder , how many more are like him ?
I would say about 60/40.
I think potentially higher. Some Blues fan’s IQ’s are so low they probably forget their own names. Some of the things I’ve heard (particularly at away games) and read on facebook groups is shocking and also quite worrying that people are so ignorant of the harsh reality we find ourselves in.
Tony
Here, here …. I’m afraid we have far too many such supporters…. with the greatest respect to them …. as thick as pig muck.
Drew, comments directed at Agent apply equally to yourself.
Sorry….. novak i dont rate,and his form is poor ,his manboobs also.
We do need a midfielder to run with the ball ,as all the players we have got
want to get rid of the ball as soon as possible.
I agree that packwood will be a future blues captain,if we dont sell him,he was a mountain last night,my man of the match,considering he has been out with a broken leg.
Does anybody know if this Allen from the baggies that clark does not like ,is he training with the first team or the kids,must be a bit of atmosfear around the team.??????
For anyone saying good riddance to Zigic take a look at this: http://www.smallheathalliance.com/read.php?1,1469877
It’s not his fault he is getting paid ridiculous amounts of money it’s carsons fault..Zigic has the unfortunate role of having to perform every game to justify his wages. He has 1 bad game and treated like a disgrace..Guarantee if he has a good run of being a starter in games our results will look a lot better. He makes a huge impact on the pitch.
TR7 he might not be the whole shilling but at least he turns up for home games like the other
loyal 13,000 of us so he earns my respect on that basis alone, were all finding it tough at
this momment in time but come the summer his comments might just mean something
because at the momment nothing makes any sense.KRO.
The only thing we have to look forward to at the end of the season, is that the likes of Zigic, Mullins, Elliott, etc will hopefully be gone. All the loans will be gone too, so we’ll start with a clean slate. The players who are left will be a season wiser. Also, with Yeovil and Barnsley probably gone, we’ll most likely have the lowest wage bill in the division. It’s a start at least.
Unfortunately we did that at the start of this season (except Ziggy) and look at the state we are in. One step away from League One. We can’t keep shipping loan players in and out and playing the kids.
The hardcore supporters will drop to 8000 next season that’s for sure.
It makes me weep that our current owners have destroyed the club and have no intention of selling up except maybe to a developer. I don’t even get annoyed when we lose because it’s not the teams or managers fault. We are not able to compete in this division because of the negligence of our current owners.
As that famous midlander said ” A plague on all their houses”
I honestly don’t think we’ll be relegated. I think maybe, the bottom 3 at the moment will go – Yeovil, Barnsley and Charlton (who are selling their best player, Yann Kermorgant, to Bournemouth.) At this moiment in time, we have a 5 point head start on them.
there maybe 8000 fans next season but the season tickets are cheaper next season along with bringing a child under 10 free……….. if those who want to abstain carry on…………
How do you know that the season tickets will be cheaper?
With the greatest respect StaffsBlue , Yeovil AND Barnsley will be on our fixture list next season . Last night I looked at the remnants of our depleted rag tag and bob tail outfit ( no disrespect to the young, startled, rabbit in the headlights raw talent that has now reluctantly been ‘sent over the top ‘ ) and despite Leicester being a typical in form table topping team right on top of their game , thought we now have that look ! You know the look I’m talking about , the look that says “WHO are we going to beat now ” . I’ve seen it many times over the last 48 seasons , and unfortunately , apart from some major , last gasp Houdini jobs we’ve usually gone down. The big question is the ground sharing dilemma , if Northhampton play one week and Coventry the next will we have to play all of our home games midweek ?…..
We all have our own opinions. If we get relegated, I’ll come on here admit you were right. That do you?
You’re a gentleman sir. I hope I’m wrong . I usually am ! I’ll happily do the same if you’re right. Regardless I’ll still be there at the end of the road.
It’s a deal. :-)
We still might be playing them next season!
Until Orient come up. No player on over 28k a week.
Or 2k even.
Speaking at the start of his temporary spell with Birmingham, the Slovakian said: “We have some tough games coming up but they are the sort you look forward to most.It seems a Pity Ziggy does not think that way…..
i hope all our youngsters think positive and want to continue makes positive steps making our team better and doing themselves justice……….in their football development…………kro
*making
On the football front I thought we have signs being able to put together a reasonable defence for the remainder of the season. I was impressed with Packwood last night and the lad from Southampton may be a useful acquistion. Hopefully, Spector will be back in the mix sometime soon. However, I am very worried about our ability to score goals. an experienced striker is a must. Rusnak didn’t impress and is lightweight as is Reece Brown although looks a very useful prospect. I like the fact that the number of kids in the team provides the time with a dose of enthusiasm, however, we looked as though we are way short on some hard nosed championship experience and physical presence last night. Zigic is a player that totally relies on good service and if he gets it he is very effective. If he gets poor service he looks awful. The thing is do Blues have the capability of providing service to Zigic, because if not we have got no other striking options. Novak on his own upfront is a waste of space but can be useful playing alongside someone else. Regretfully I think Lovenkrands may be our only option at the moment.
It’s Peter Lovenkrands’ 34th birthday today.
Seems to be “same Old, Same Old”, I think we were luck Leicester were poor finishers last night as I believe it could have been much worse.
That is not detracting from our effort, some players excelled while others put in a decent shift, the reality is we are a team of triers, Loans and youngsters.
It was the youngsters that excelled, but I think LC should have bought Howard on 2nd half, he seemed decent when he has played and young Reece Brown was tiring and needed help.
Adeyemi and Bartley were also struggling, think Bartley should shed the beard, seemed to slow him down.
We really need someone who can score, Novak is top scorer with 7, which for a striker is pretty poor return on the games he has played.
It beggars belief that LC is looking at midfielders, which we have in abundance and not a striker, we are not even that desperate for a central defender, we have Packwood who has been excellent and can’t believe LC has not used him sooner, Bartley, when he gets back to fitness and Robbo. But goals are what win games.
I think Brian Clough said “If they they score 3 we can score 4”, once Leicester scored everyone in the crowd was of the same ilk, all we can hope for is a draw.
KRO+DNM
people should stop moaning about clarke .just stop attending for the next six home games ,a total boycott would show how unhappy all blues fans are . it would drive us into admin again and railroad this lot out .. what we got to lose? ,after all if you can’t win at home your relegated …FACT
This could be the last season to watch Championship football at St.Andrews for a few yeras, why would you want to boycott? Do you think the board care what the fans say or do?
Chudit,
Yes they do care,
Without the financial support of the fans they won’t have a business to run and the value of the club decreases’s
PP and CY stand to lose millions.
Most of the crowd money is banked and spent from sale of ST’s. Theres only a few paying on the day right now and I doubt that income even pays Zigic’s wages. A boycott would not put us into admin sorry.
Pannnu said that he has enough funds till the end of 14/15 season so if we have a pitch protest (invasion) he will be fined 100,000 for not controlling their fans surely that will put us into admin and get us a new owner
Check your maths !!
All those who invade will be fined and get life bans, that will reduce the tickets sales and attendance figures.
Pannu said He has enough funds, so we wont be selling anyone, at the same time we won’t buy anyone. Therefore things will just get worse, no investment, more academy players and before we know it we will be playing schoolboys.
I, like many supporters, would love to do something, but it has to be constructive and aimed at Yeung, Pannu and the other Hong Kong directors.
Instead we have apathy, anger and frustration all vented in the wrong direction, Lee Clark, the players and BCFC in Small Heath.
I heard one supporter having a go at a programme seller, that’s going to get back to CY.
KRO+DNM
So now Bartley has gone too which leaves Packwood and Mullins for Derby. What happens if one of those two gets injured during the game :(
A lesser manager (and lesser man) would have walked by now. The guy must thrive on adversity. If he manages to get more than one centre back and a striker in before the window closes.. he’ll be a miracle worker. Best of British to him.
Getting em in is easy particularly if they are midfielders ! Its getting quality better than we have that’s the challenge.
StaffsBlue.
This is absolute rubbish-he’s not going to walk from a job paying him £350k a year without another offer and who would re-employ him with a performance reord like his.
.
I appreciate he’s financially shackled but his team selection/tactics and man management skills are appalling.
He’s completely out of his depth in this league.
@Blue in Spain. I’m immune to it mate. It’s been tried by experts.
Agree. He is one of the very few managers who hasn’t got to worry about his job. We can’t afford to pay him and his crew off and the owners dont give a toss anyway to be bothered to assess whether he is doing a good job or not.
There have been plenty of managerial vacancies come up over the season and has anyone shown any real interest in him.
I think the only one was Blackpool before they took on Ince, PP wanted too much in compensation I believe, pity they didn’t do the same with Redmond, Butland and Co. We wouldn’t be in the mire we are.
KRO+DNM
Totally agree Art, an absolute load of rubbish. Nobody would walk away from a salary like that where you’re under very little pressure to actually perform because you’ve not been given the tools to do the job and also know you won’t be sacked because of it. A dream job.
Hear! Hear! How much crap can one man endure, I think he must have past the S.A.S anti-interrogation course to have such a thick skin and wake up every morning heading sledgehammers.
Fair play to him, but if anyone offered him anything I think he will snap their hands off. Then who would we get, CY,PP will promise them all sorts, but in reality is they will get nothing.
Maybe a change in tactics might help, as LC does seem at a loss to alter situations, a new look at substitutes and hiss timings, but with what he has how else can he change.
KRO+DNM
Packwood and Grey if Hancox is fit. But PLEASE NOT Mullins
KRO+DNM
Dimmi Gray the winger at centre half?
Whoops! Sorry, got my Demarai mixed with me Amari’i, I meant Bell, yes he is a left back by trade but couldn’t be any worse than Mullins. I thought he played exceptionally for a débutant.
The other option would be Caddis, but then who have we got as right-back.
Robbo only has one game left so I am sure we can improvise for one game, unless we can get an emergency cover?
KRO+DNM
it appears bartley been recalled back to swansea……………………oh sh*t…………
Bartley gone bk now to Swansea
was bartley as poor as they have reported this evening on radio wm.they also suggested bartley is to be sold ,
diabolical performance !
Strange to say it, but out of position.
Both Packwood and he are right footed, so one had to play on the left.
He being the senior pro, quite rightly made the sacrifice.
That said his left foot is not the best, coupled with a lack of left midfielder or forward running the channel he was struggling to pick a pass and complete it.
Positive note he made 3 of the best passes of the night, 2 40 yarders to Burke, and a lovely reverse pass to Bell down the left (all with his right foot)
Negative note was that his performance was quite notable affected by being out of position, once Robbo is back he will easily knock Will out of the team as he has so much more about him.
Just noted the bit about him being recalled – oh dear…….
LC will now have to prioritize two center halves,over a striker.talk about having the rug pulled from underneath you!
hi all…i dont know if it makes you feel any better but i have just had an email from a leeds fan….sounds like they are going our way….or all of football…….shame….
My view is if Villa Man U arsenal etc was in the same situation there would be a national outpouring of grief anger etc. The press would be vitriolic and there would be vibes extended to Hong Kong. My conclusions sadly are that apart from the Blues own supporters who are salt of the earth and not the prawn sandwich brigade we are perceived by the media as a small club and no one is bothered whether we sink or swim.. That doesn’t stop me being a true blue but I am concerned with the future as young kids are attracted to support more successful clubs ie in the premier league. It seems to me that until the HK connection is severed even more hard times are possible . CY has a lot to answer for !!!
If Clark has decided to completely sideline Zigic then would it not make sense to offer him out on a deal so they pay something like £20k per week of his wages and we continue to pay the rest. That would release wages to get another striker in. Nobody is going to take him for £60k a week. Not much time left to sort that out though!
Failing that then for me he has got to be involved in some way even if it’s only an option on the bench. Yes he was dire against Yeovil but so was the service to him and he was instrumental in the run of away wins before Xmas which has effectively kept us out of the relegation zone. His wages mean he will always get more grief than other players but he wasn’t the only one who was dire that day.
We need something like 20 points to be safe and given the evidence of last season and this most of the points are going to have to come from away games. Good managers in any workplace have to deal with difficult employees who don’t always do exactly what you want them to. The worst thing you can do is isolate people in that situation eg Scott Allen. We haven’t got the luxury of doing that because IMO neither Novak or Lovenkrands are as good as Zigic.
Not sure how you can say the service against Yeovil was poor, I believe we put something like 14 crosses in the second half alone for him to get on the end, he just doesn’t attack the ball or put himself where it hurts, even if he used his movement off the ball to create an opening, but he does absolutely NOTHING.
Terminate his contract and pay him off, the sooner the better, if he was that good someone would come calling, they don’t because he is not even trying to sell himself, a leech, parasite, freeloader or bloodsucker, I’m trying to be polite.
KRO+DNM
Yes get him off the books so CY and PP can pocket even more.
Anyone got pannus email address?
Don’t you ask this every few weeks?
Erm no,I’ve never thought of sending him an email ever before,so I don’t no where you got that from.
I’d give it to you but I suspect you’d send something so bile filled it would land you in trouble and I’d rather that you didn’t get yourself into bother
Chris W love the way you summed Zigic up.. Mickey07 you’ve just had me laughing
What a terrible state of affairs when it is newsworthy that a Club Director is actually ATTENDING a game.
Surely at any other club the non attendance of the Chairman and the CEO at games would be newsworthy.
A few things. Zigic it seems may be on his way today or tomorrow, these are the “footballing reasons” quoted by LC. An earlier scribe mentioned that no one had come in for LC and when it was mentioned that Blackpool had it was dismissed as if it didn’t count. LC went 10 games unbeaten and what did we get from certain people? Mostly draws, poor tactics etc. Give the guy some credit, he is knocked for taking his salary but what price loyalty? I seem yo remember a recent manager who completely up tactically in play offs that we should have won and then turned his back on us for more money at Norwich! Knowing our financial plight he returned to try and take our players at a fraction of their worth and everyone kisses his a***! Some people have odd values.
Totally agree with every word.
He’s not.
Al I work so.e of tge time in Spain and took the info from Evening Mail on line last night re:Zigic
Interesting to see that very few bloggers were interested in supporting any form of protest .
Bloggers? Do you mean commenters Art? I hate to be pedantic but the only blogger here is moi ;)
I was not a fan of Lee Clark and don’t think he has the experience to manage in the Premiership.
When he was at Huddersfield he took them on a 43 match unbeaten run, he was sacked because the chairman didn’t think his style of football was good enough to earn promotion. He drew most of those games and, as most Huddersfield fans state, drew games from a winning position.
I admire Lee Clark for his loyalty and endeavour, I also think it would be an injustice if he were sacked, but, to quote LC, “for footballing reasons” he just hasn’t got what it takes to get us or keep us in the Championship.
McCleish and Hughton both new what was coming and walked away, I am sure if the same happens so will LC, the nature of the game and money talks.
KRO+DNM