Often Partisan

The Drop Zone

Birmingham City lost 3-1 to Leeds United yesterday to secure an unwanted all time record for the longest sequence of games at home without a win in the second tier. It also ensured that for the first time since just before the halfway point of the season Blues dropped into the bottom three – and with the last game of the season being played next Saturday this is the almost the worst possible time for Blues to be in this position.

What this means is that Tuesday’s game against Wigan is Blues’ last chance to keep this in their own hands. Bizarrely, a win against the Latics would see Blues jump to 18th place and one would think almost certainly ensure that we stay up. The problem is that would mean Blues breaking a near seven-month, 17 match hoodoo against a team in sixth place who need just a victory to secure their own playoff place. The good news is that Wigan themselves have lost their last two games and are three without a win away from home – but even so I’m sure people can understand why I have a feeling we won’t pick up a point on Tuesday.

If I’m honest, I believe we’re already down – while it is still in our own hands (and there is just one place left with Barnsley joining Yeovil in mathematically securing relegation yesterday) I can’t see us picking up another point in our final two games. It doesn’t matter how long we play well for – if we don’t score our confidence is so brittle that when we concede our heads drop – and our defence isn’t good enough to keep a clean sheet – something we have only done in the league once in 2014 (Charlton away).

I listened to Clark’s interview from the club’s official audio channel in the aftermath of yesterday’s result and it struck me that he’s not quite understanding of the problem. He talked about changing formation – said that he played 4-4-2 and we were 4-0 down to Blackburn – which while true is more because so many players were out of position than because of the formation chosen. I’m concerned he’s thrashing around in the dark – yesterday saw Scott Allan recalled to the bench and actually brought on – which must have been a desperate move as Clark has all but consigned Allan to the Jamie Clapham Memorial Cupboard of late. I don’t think Clark knows who to pick, the formation to pick them in to get that much needed win. I don’t think he’s necessarily “lost the dressing room” or any of those other clichés, I just think he’s run out of ideas.

Regardless of what happens in the next two games, regardless of where Blues finish I think Blues and Lee Clark need to part ways in the summer – I hope it’s with Clark having kept us up but I doubt that will happen. I think next week is going to be a big one for Blues and for BIH – relegation might be pain for us and further humiliation but for BIH it’s going to hit them where it hurts – in the wallet. Relegation means the price the club is worth will drop by 50-75% and while I believe somebody would still buy Blues in League One it won’t be on terms that the holding company like – and worse for them, I think they’ll have no choice but to take it.

Talking Points sponsored by John Hicken Industrial roofing and cladding materials

Tags: , ,

93 Responses to “The Drop Zone”

  • Sarah says:

    That will be the only tiny crumb of comfort about the whole sorry saga, that they walk away not only without what they put in but having lost a lot of money in the process. All we can hope for now is that whoever takes over can do it in time to stave of administration and put together a decent squad for league one next season. Sorry to say but I think we are down already and it’s not just Lee Clark to blame.

  • Mickey07 says:

    Dan it will be a massive relief when we finally get relegated in a “strange sort of way”Clark will be gone,the Chinese will have to go and we will get our club back,I will admit it I will be soooooooo happy that pannu and co will have lost loads of money on everything I hope it destroys them out there,it’s the only thing pannu understands is hit him in the pocket….what a tinpot outfit bihl are….

  • Chris W says:

    To be fair Dan I think
    Lee Clark should leave now.
    He has been all at sea most of the season but even more so since Terry Mac and Derek Fazackerly left.
    If we are relegated, and like you cannot see
    what else LC can do to change things, then Administration will become
    inevitable, the board and BIHL are so determined to get £32 million and
    refuse to sell the club as a whole.
    Darker days lie ahead and I really fear for the
    future of BCFC, more so than those that followed the Wheldon era.
    KRO+DNM

    • bnd says:

      LC is not tactically aware enough. He needs to be able to get the tactics right from the kick off not wait until the second half. This is the main reason for many of the poor results this season. It looks all over now. My fear is because ovf the relegation the owners will hang on regardless hoping promotion can be achieved on a shoestring at the first attempt.

  • Dave Shaw says:

    Yep, Its time to take it on the chin and concede that we are already down. Having watched the game against Blackburn and yesterday, there’s no point in pretending to be upbeat and positive but realistic. Clark has done his best but, frankly, it wasn’t good enough. The players in the main with maybe a couple of exceptions, just haven’t the skills or, sadly, it seems the motivation to play. On balance we have been a Div One team since January and the writing has been on the wall. So, where do we go from here? Let’s hope a new buyer and a re-consolidation under a new manager with an input of new players….. Hmmm, I see the pigs flying?

  • Steve says:

    I,m gonna try and stay positive.a point may be enough.Doncaster away at Leicester could be the decider.and Blackpool playing Charlton could help us out.

  • Gary says:

    If Clarke has a bit of decency he will tender his resignation, with all the best will in the world he is simply not good enough, his tactics, team selection, the list goes on, granted we don’t have a great team but we should not be in this position.
    As for BH if we go down which is almost certain then I cannot see them getting anything like the money they want for the team and administration is now looking more and more like the best thing that can happen.

  • Adam karim says:

    Another heartless performance.

    At the beginning of the season Burke was coming off the bench and acting as an impact player, for the past 6 months his always started and my view is this is the issue, predictable football, send the ball down the right channel, block the right flank out and what other o

  • Son Of Chegwin says:

    I struggle to see how relegation isn’t the best option at the moment. Firstly from the playing side of things this will make to easier (if at all financially possible) to dispose of Clark who clearly is out of his depth and has survived on a ‘leadership’ of passion alone during his tenure – this has now been found out and he has been exposed. As I understand it from previous posts we only have 13 senior players with contracts for next season, of varying quality and experience. Therefore its highly questionable that we would be able to survive relegation next season unless significant investment was forthcoming. From the perspective of selling the club, as Al states, relegation is going to knock off a hefty chunk of any fee from the sale of the club and frankly after years of asset stripping this is nothing less than BIHL deserve. What we must only hope for is a takeover (preferably by a British based group) and something akin to Wolves revival – a knowledgeable, proven manger being brought in utilising a blend of homegrown talent and maybe (dreamland here) we pay a fee for some Championship/upper League 1 talent which we can build a squad upon rather than loans and the current crop of costly journeymen. I fear this is wishful thinking…

  • Adam karim says:

    Another heartless performance.

    At the beginning of the season Burke was coming off the bench and acting as an impact player, for the past 6 months his always started and my view is this is the issue, predictable football, send the ball down the right channel, block the right flank out and what other options do we have for a delivery channel……..we don’t and we haven’t all season and this hasn’t been addressed by the so called management team.

    We need to start attacking and defending as a team to stand any chance of picking up points In the next 2 games and they need to stand up and be counted for!!!

    My glass is always half full and being a blue nose we all know we never do it the easy way, that’s have some faith!!

    Kro

    • NickyWicky says:

      I would try Reilly and Packwood together at centre half I’m sure they’d do a better than the current lot. Spector and Thorpe are just too powder puff. put Spector and Hancox at full back and play Adeyeme in midfield with say lee or go 4-3-3 and play Adeyeme with Novak Zigic and Macheda up front with Huws and Burke out wide. That’s a more balnced team and if they can’t play like that then there’s no hope for them!

      • Stan031 says:

        Are you Lee Clarke in disguise? Why on earth would you even consider throwing Reilly into centre back? We’ve got a 6ft 5 centre half that we signed, why wouldn’t you use him first? Our only hope is that LC stops digging in his heals and picks Macheda and Zigic from the start- but he won’t, he is in denial. Reckon that’s why the coaches left maybe? Did they dare suggest 4-4-2 with all players playing in their normal positions?

  • Tony says:

    Agree I think we are already relegated, I said this would happen at the start of the season it gives me no pleasure to be proved right
    What matters now is to get the club sold ,start afresh with new owners and manager ,start the rebuilding process, depending on the funds available we should be back knocking on the premiership door in 5 years.
    Dan has accused me of having blind hatred towards Clark, well maybe he is right as a manager I hate what he has done to this club, he was never up to the job I still have nightmares about Barnsley last season . Thats when action should have been taken to remove him.
    There are issues of the field we all know that and they should not be underestimated, but it is Clark who picks the side and decides on formations and tactics, he has proved to be utterly hopeless.
    Those who have defended him should take their share of responsibility for where we are today.

    • Blueboy88 says:

      The managers job is to get the best out of the players at his disposal.
      In his two seasons at our club I have never seen any evidence of that.

      Leeds was another passionless, unorganized embarrassment to the shirt.
      That’s Clark’s responsibility.

      Simply put, he is not a very good football manager.

      League One beckons, & I fear their will be no Wolves like bounce back either.

      Absolutely Heartbreaking.

      • Ali Duncan says:

        I’m not taking this well either. Clark has proved he isn’t good enough. The last roll of the dice is gone as I can’t see us getting another point no matter how many blind panic team selections he dazzles us with in the next two games. He looks beaten and his body language when giving interviews seems even more negative and pitiful than usual.

        As said above we need a proven man to take over at League One level to steady the ship until investment comes. Like Blue Boy I don’t see a quick return. I follow League One quite closely and it is a league with 8-10 teams that have serious promotion aspirations and capabilities. We won’t be able to get anywhere near the top teams in that 10.

    • Ame says:

      What are you talking about?you havnt been proved right at all.There are still 2 games to play.LC and co are still with it.Shame you and others keep spreading negativity.We keep rigt on witth them TILL THE END OF THE ROAD,no?

    • mark says:

      what utter crap you try re-building two defenses in championship with the restriction clark had…………you just love your blind hate and yes you love the pleasure to be proved you are right………bloody long times to have those nightmares may you should see a doctor to get you though the bad period you are going though…………i am sure if you keep right on you will be fine..:)

  • mel says:

    Pannu wont have lost any money as he is an employee, and one on an extremely big wage. I resigned myself to League 1 a couple of weeks ago. Would be interesting to know the reason why Scott Allen hasn’t been used all season until yesterday when Clark finally ran out of ideas. I actually rate him as a player and he did set up the goal. Be interesting to see if he is used against Wigan

    • Chas says:

      I agree he looked like he was a good player yesterday , but as for setting up the goal (and it was a beautiful pass) he also cost us a goal by trying to dribble past three defenders and lost the ball. Still, on that showing , I would sooner see him in the team that Burke, Burke jumps out of every tackle that comes his way, he isn’t a very brave player to say the least.

      • Chris W says:

        Allen looked hungry yesterday, something Burke has lacked, along with several others, for sometime.
        Blues have become so one dimensional that it is easy to shut them down, we need to find some inspiration and fresh ideas.
        Clark has never been one for ambition, he was the same as a player and at Huddersfield, that was the reason behind him being sacked.
        With no leadership at board level I cannot see what options we have.
        A players revolt and lock Clark in the broom cupboard…
        Being a Blues supporter for the last 50+ years I await our fate still with hope we can overcome Wigan, but admit it is with a heavy heart.
        KRO+DNM

        • Chas says:

          So we agree on something then, Chris. I would leave Burke off the pitch to start and have Macheda on , he is our best chanc
          e at scoring.

          • Chris W says:

            Chas,
            we all have differing opinions about some things, Tony admits to blind hatred to LC, I make no bones that I would not play Zigic if he was the last man on earth.
            The same as everyone on here I am a Blues fan, heart and soul, born and bred, going to games since 1961, home, away and into Europe, seen victories and defeats at Wembley and the Millennium. Had some wonderful times and memories, I have also shed a few tears and I guess come May 3rd will shed some more, hopefully of relief and survival but I am rather resigned to relegation because I cannot see how or what LC can change for the last two games. Like everyone else, I have a team in my head, a formation and tactics that possibly could change our direction, what counts is Lee Clark’s ideas, and he does not ooze confidence, quite the opposite.
            Till the End of the Road…
            KRO+DNM

          • Chas says:

            Our paths have probably crossed then, then ,Chris. I started in 61 as well, Bertie Auld was always my Favourite. He wouldnt pull out of tackles like Burke does. ;-)

          • Chris W says:

            Don’t make em like that anymore a right character, do you remember when he stuck the ball up his shirt and ran into the goal and dropped the ball and began celebrating, get sent off now for that…
            I liked Big Trevor Smith, no nonsense
            KRO+DNM

          • Chas says:

            And when he got a Kid to take the corner for him and the Ref didn’t notice :-)

          • Chris W says:

            The problem with the game today is the lack of characters, it is all money, money, money.
            They were only paid £20 a week with bonuses added for performances. They would chat with supporters, even catch the bus with supporters in some cases.
            Terry Hennessey’s dad took me to my very first match, he stood on the Tilton in those days.
            KRO+DNM

    • NickyWicky says:

      I saw this coming some time ago. When they got rid of Marlon King and did not replace him. I saw us drawing a lot of matches and losing matches again as clark doesn’t know how to defend

      • Chris W says:

        Sadly he doesn’t know how to attack either, probably why we have such an abundance of midfielders.
        KRO+DNM

        • Stan031 says:

          I seriously think he’d play 10 midfielders if he could. My heart sank at the start of the season when I read he took the players to see Barca with a view of us playing that way with a bunch of freebies, kids and loanees….the bloke is off with the fairies. I’m just hoping he flutters away before Tuesday night.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Our great club is on its knees and there is a deafening silence from Hong Kong.
    We mustn’t give up hope of getting a result on Tuesday against a superior Wigan side. They (like we did) still have Premier League standard players in their first season after relegation.
    Lee Clark must feel very lonely at the moment with the burden of responsibility on his shoulders. Whatever criticism he receives about his tactics, team selection and inability to motivate the players, I defy anyone to criticise his hard work and commitment.
    We all must believe in a miracle and that BIH will sell the club before next season.

    • Chris W says:

      Sadly all the hard work and commitment as led us backwards and into the position we find ourselves. Football is about the players, tactics and formations, they are what earn the results, granted, if the players had shown the same commitment as LC then things could have been better.
      The players we have are more than capable of competing in the championship and easily achieve a mid table finish.
      KRO+DNM

  • naime 787 says:

    Come on LC please leave so we can have a smile on our faces for the last 2 games and not worry about what team your gona send out.
    This season has been a nightmare for us but as they say Managers & Owners come and go but we support our club for life.

  • chudlt says:

    Even with relegation looming and the value of the club spiralling downwards, I don’t believe the club will be sold. BIH only have eyes on a spot on the HK stock exchange. They will at the best sell 25% of the club to raise the cash to allow the club struggle on through the summer.
    As it stands today it would be better if potential buyers walked away and allowed the club to go into administration.

  • teejay says:

    as an ex boxer if i was taking a hiding in the ring because of the way i was fighting my mentality would be if i am going to get knocked out i am going to hurt him as much as i can maybe throw a lucky punch and knock him out but i could not do that if i just defended and keep getting hit best form of defence is attack at least go out fighting kro

  • Oldbluenose says:

    What a very sad state of affairs it is, Our owners are in disarray with no financial backing for us [ even minimal. amounts to try and keep reasonable player standards ].
    A manager who doubtless has great enthusiasm, but lacks tactical prowess, and far to many loanees who not all are up to standards or commitment.
    I [ along with most others ] doubt that we will win enough points to stay up for next season, So a very bleak picture for us indeed.
    The talk has resurfaced about Administration and whilst I am loath to see our Brave and caring backroom staff get the heaveho, I fail to see how else we can get rid of Hong Kong, Lee Clark, and have a clean slate for some DECENT minded new owners to rebuild us, — As did Sully/Gold and Brady, ??????????.

    • NickyWicky says:

      Sullivan gold and brady saw an opportunity to make a quick buck when we were down because it is a big club with a strong following. Thay made loads of promises like signing maradona would you believe but it never materielaised, then they saw another chance to make a quick buck by selling to the chinaman and that’s why were in the mess now! So I don,t hark back for another gold and Sully!

  • Chrisg says:

    LC has made a lot of mistakes this season, but I think his biggest was not replacing his departed assistants with at least one experienced head. I feel he has no one there to give him any help with where to go next. Personally I’d like to show him the door now

  • edd77 says:

    I agree we already down, already planning how to get to bradford,Swindon etc

  • Matt says:

    It’s too late for people to be calling Clark to be sacked now..a lot of people seen this coming along time ago. I won’t name them but there were a lot of Clark lovers on the comments section for this website, I hope they realise how wrong they were.

    • mark says:

      not wrong mate…….. i will completely back Clark until such time he leaves of his own choice or is sacked…….better you were was not moaning on 10 match unbeaten run….thought not…….spine ripped out….that was clark’s fault as well.

      • Blooflame says:

        What are you thinking Mark? How can you not see how inept he is..he’s renowned for it! from day one I knew as I knew he would fail. You cannot reward failure you cannot support failure..if you do you have to question your judgement

      • Matt says:

        Actually I’ve been moaning since he lost 5-0 at home to Barnsley in his first season with basically the same team as Hughtons. To be honest mark, It doesn’t really matter what you say because you will forever be a happy clapper. If he relegated us to league 2 next season you would still back him.

  • ijaz hussain says:

    Under normal circumstances Lee Clark would’ve been sacked after Barnsley but because of finances (ironically) he has continued his clueless and inept leadership. BIHL deserve to lose everything and though its heart breaking to see the club I love being destroyed by financial mismanagement I want the club to go into administration so these parasites who have hurt me so much lose everything. I know this will mean a points deduction and probably even a further relegation to league 2 along with some good people at the club facing redundancy. However it is only when the Chinese have gone can we rebuild and hopefully rise again from the ashes like a phoenix.

  • Alan Watton says:

    My crumb of comfort and they are small indeed is that the three managers who scuppered our promotion who took Burn, Bartley and Lingard away from us were all sacked. With those three in the side we may well have had enough resource to stay up. It is questionable whether we ever have had a manager capable of keeping us up.
    My patience with Mr Clarke has finally run out. Given time on the pitch Macheda must score at a rate of 1 every 90 minutes yet he is on the bench. Novak at best is a tryer yet he gets picked even when half fit. Zigic has never been used properly. We signed a centre half who can’t get a game even with 3 centre halves unavailable. Scott Allen was out of here but Albion wouldn’t have him back. How can he be selected?
    One point could be enough to keep us up. Sadly what ever happens we remain the worst side in the division and would struggle in League 1 or even League 2

  • Southern Blue says:

    Despite what Clark said last night on the FL show about needing 6 points from the remaining two games in all probability 1 point will be enough. Could we achieve this against Wigan?. Since the close of the January transfer window we have not conceded less than two goals in any home league game. Wigan have only conceded 3 goals away once this season – so we have our work cut out.Seems to me that the best we can hope for against Wigan is a high scoring draw like Derby or Burnley – therefore important to set up the team that can score goals. Yesterday’s game demonstrated again that the defence is vulnerable – Thorpe limped off at the end yesterday and will perhaps be replaced by Martin on Tuesday, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I also thought Scott Allen played ok when he came on – looking lively and setting up Macheda’s goal, perhaps he yet has a part to play.

    • NickyWicky says:

      wwwwwouldn’t play martin he’s too powder puff like Thorpe and spector would stick Reilly there. Knows how to defend and has a big heart Martin will crack in no time!

  • pedantic pete says:

    I wholeheartedly agree Daniel. it was interesting watching the League Cup Show last night. in their analysis they said the reason why Leicester and Burnley had got promotion is that they used a simple system that all their players could understand and they struck to it all season. Clarke started the season experimenting with all sorts of formations, which is hard enough to implement when you have a squad full of experienced players, but when you’re relying so much on rookies and loanees how do you expect them to perform well?

  • Art says:

    Clark cannot put right all that’s wrong in 72 hours and he doesn’t have the ability to do so anyway.He trots out the same excuses but fails to address the problems.Why does the team only play well for one half of the game?This is a trade mark of Clarks team and has been since joining the club.It gave me no pleasure predicting a defeat yesterday and yes Dan I think you are right we are on the brink of being relegated.

  • A Hawkins says:

    If he has run out of ideas then the writing is on the wall not only for us as a club but also for Lee as manager. I completely heartbroken and angry that in the years of winning a important trophy, we have gone downhill at a rapid rate. I also hold FA responsible for not checking into these people’s finances and allowing these idiots to buy us.

    • Chris W says:

      Not just the F.A but the Football League need to be more aware of circumstances surrounding a clubs finances. They should have taken action as soon as CY was found guilty, the transfer window was still open and a buyer could have been found.
      KRO+DNM

  • Mineheadblue says:

    I agree with your thoughts that we are down…I didn’t see how we could win yesterday when we haven’t won for so long at home. Dan, do you think that BIHL will still try and sell in tranches if we are relegated ??

    • Ame says:

      what is wrong with you all?what if LC goes now?so what will that achieve?and anyway you seem to forget how hes had to deal with players h t a everywhere..some really silly comments,this season isnt OVER,yet..Dyou think the BLUES ARE GONNA JUST DROP OUT OF THIS FIGHT??you are seriously deluded if you think that will be the case.Managers and owners:..LC wants nothing more than to give us the business,I and others should show support for what he is doing (or trying to do) for /with what he has/hasn’t got..An awesome situation to have to deal with:Thats the real strength of his character,imo ,and most of us would of just give up,and gone home,long ago.You cant BUY his kind of sincerity and genuine passion for the position he holds,and h’es not kidding.He means what he says.Slow,and ‘telegraphic’ football is the real cause of why we need to keep going harder than we should need to.Teams can read us like a book,and they all have us sussed,down to the tee..Punting a long one for Z to (more often than not) be looking for the foul,spending more time appealing for things than honestly playing the game.Forget that **8, so many times I’ve seen goal chances WAISTED,by not playing to the whistle, seen moves broken down precisely because of players ‘looking’,rather than riding the tackles and getting a genuine chance to score…No blaming of individuals will help us now.All we need is to replicate the unity we had in our last first half.Unselfish teamwork and some quality football,with a very appreciative crowd.We’ve no need to fall apart as we have done,if we are playing with refreshing honesty from KO,its as simple as that.Energy channelled into playing the game instead of NOT playing by looking always for doggy decisions,wasting valuable time and effort.You know what I meen.This,imho,is 99.9 % of the problem,and 100 % of the solution will be the new mentality:Playing ‘honestly’,from the off..You may laugh,but if you think about it,what else is simpler than a change of psyche towards this sport,of football that is the best game on the planet,when played properly?Let our opponents be swept aside by loyal support,and true spirit.WE ARE THE BLUES,we

      are not the kind of people who run out on their mates when it starts getting messy,are we??

      yammering on with the negative and futile is the LAST thing our BLUES (yes,from t to b) need at this stage of the game.Some of the comments are worthy of only coming from VILE individuals,and not from ‘to the END OF THE ROAD’ Blues… Stay till the very end,as loyaly as ever.Close season is where we can all have our opinions heard,and hopefully,acted upon.Right now,we are ALIVE,and very capable of absolutely anything.Stop looking for scapegoats or pointing fingers,and then I’m convinced we will be ‘safe’and you should be,too,as we journey on and overturn the doubt of the past few days.Our next game,i’m fairly certain,will witness the true power and tenacity of BCFC,the complete package will be at St Andrews for our final home game,just wait and see KRO BLUES!

  • DoctorD says:

    The turning point this year was Burn and Bartley going back to their clubs. Another odd move, in retrospect, was Terry Mac and Fazackerley getting the boot. Since then, Clark has been flailing in the dark. I predict another defeat on Tuesday (0-2) and then it’s the lottery of the final day.

    I think the best we can hope for is staggering, limping, exhausted over the finishing line with a point away at Bolton.

    • NickyWicky says:

      Clark is just making pannick selections at the moment he is not thinking them through and seeing if the team is balanced, I f the players are good enough he’s leaving his top scorer on the bench. I would try Reilly at centre Half with Packwood if he’s fit this would be a stronger defencewith Hancox and Spector at fullback and put Huws Adeyeme and Burke in midfield and then he could play Novak Zigik, and Macheda up front

    • RichardM says:

      DoctorD, my understanding from a reliable source is that Terry Mac and Fazakerley WALKED, they weren’t asked to leave…but do agree with you, losing Burn and Bartley at the half-way point was catastrophic for Blues. Can’t really blame LC for that – what’s upsetting is that both the managers that recalled them have since left, and neither are getting regular game time at either Fulham or Swansea – so a bad move for all concerned.

      What you can blame Clark for is persisting with Thorpe at CB who is clearly out of his depth, why has Aaron Martin (a natural and far more-experienced CB) been overlooked these last two games, is he injured?

  • beegeeblueboy says:

    I was against Clark the moment the Mail had him as their favourite. I cited his failures at Huddersfield and he lack of football pedigree

    As soon as I saw the Cheltenham preseason game my fears were confirmed. Them followed the opening day dirge that was against Charlton and the embarrassing League Cup performance at Coventry. It has just continued in the same vein ever since.

  • riverphoenix says:

    I hope ur right dan the sooner the better blues get new owners in.ask any wolves fan if they enjoyed their season maybe its what we need,to start from scratch with new owners.i know we would all prefer to be in this league next year but its not the end of the world either if we go down the main thing is to get them new owners in and fast

  • Blooflame says:

    Sorry to say I told you so…but I told you so. He should never ever have become the manager of this club. This ain’t the place to come learn your craft and basically be paid a fortune for failing. The same with the players. The kids should have been used far more frequently, at least they know the meaning of pulling on your home teams’ shirt. Loanees have no loyalty nor motivation. The former because they aren’t part of the club, the latter is to do with management. From Chaos comes Order…the future is bright!!

  • Bluenosesol says:

    Doncaster’s last game is away to Leicester who will have a full house to roar on their Champions, so we only need a point. Blackpool couldn’t buy a win and won at Wigan on Saturday and Wigan have hit a rough patch. Even if we lose against Wigan, we will sell out our allocation against Bolton on Saturday and the fantastic Blues Away support this season will get their just rewards!! KRO!!

  • Bluenosesol says:

    Doncaster’s last game is away to Leicester who will have a full house to roar on their Champions, so we only need a point. Blackpool couldn’t buy a win and won at Wigan on Saturday and Wigan have hit a rough patch. Even if we lose against Wigan, we will sell out our allocation against Bolton on Saturday and the fantastic Blues Away support this season will get their just rewards!! KRO!!

  • Rick says:

    I cannot believe you think Lee Clarke is the problem! He is
    a miracle worker! Let’s look at some facts. Any player who is worth any money
    at all has been sold. He has a low wage cap on any new players he brings in, so
    he can’t compete with other championship clubs. He has a striker who earns
    £60,000 a week who is worshiped by the fans but refuses to even give 20% effort,
    yet Lee Clarke manages to keep the other players motivated with a good team
    spirit. He does not have to rebuild the team every 12 months, he has to rebuild
    the team every transfer window and only bring in loan players whose parent club
    pays the majority of their wages. The atmosphere at St Andrews is so apathetic
    its toxic. Earlier in the season when he put an unbeaten run together he was criticised for drawing to many games and not winning them (that must have been sole destroying for him).

    Given all of the above, we should already be relegated with
    15 points, yet this really poor and unstable team are still giving him
    everything and it’s a miracle with two games to go it’s still in our own hands.

    I am not Lee Clark biggest fan and I disagree with a lot of what he does, but given the ridiculous circumstances, he has done an amazing job and everybody should at least acknowledge that. No manager could have done better than him this year. People who think we are getting relegated because of the manager really need to dig below the first layer!

  • Rick says:

    I cannot believe you think Lee Clarke is the problem! He is
    a miracle worker! Let’s look at some facts. Any player who is worth any money
    at all has been sold. He has a low wage cap on any new players he brings in, so
    he can’t compete with other championship clubs. He has a striker who earns
    £60,000 a week who is worshiped by the fans but refuses to even give 20% effort,
    yet Lee Clarke manages to keep the other players motivated with a good team
    spirit. He does not have to rebuild the team every 12 months, he has to rebuild
    the team every transfer window and only bring in loan players whose parent club
    pays the majority of their wages. The atmosphere at St Andrews is so apathetic
    its toxic. Earlier in the season when he put an unbeaten run together he was criticised for drawing to many games and not winning them (that must have been sole destroying for him).

    Given all of the above, we should already be relegated with
    15 points, yet this really poor and unstable team are still giving him
    everything and it’s a miracle with two games to go it’s still in our own hands.

    I am not Lee Clark biggest fan and I disagree with a lot of what he does, but given the ridiculous circumstances, he has done an amazing job and everybody should at least acknowledge that. No manager could have done better than him this year. People who think we are getting relegated because of the manager really need to dig below the first layer!

  • tmsblues says:

    So sadly we are in the doo now as I thought might happen and of course we now hold a record . Perhaps we can now get a result. Can’t believe the way we capitulated yesterday. I was in Leeds listening to their commentary and until half time they were berating their team and gave the first half to blues. Then one goal and it all fell apart. But the team problems are not new they ve been there for ages. The no hope management should have gone long ago. If contract players are important and they must be right now then play Randolph with Caddis Martin Packwood Hancox at the back and Spector and Adeyemi , Reilly and Burke wide and Zig or Novak (or bring on zig as impact sub) up front then add huws and or macheda as ‘guests who’ve shown they can play for the shirt’ !

  • Pete says:

    The alarming thing is that I think it is simple why this is happening. Lee Clark does not know his best side with 2 games of the season left, just like last season. Yes, he has had disruption, but he has never known it. Pannu and Yeung have led us to this disaster but they have been aided by Clarks management. I wish he/we could ask Hughton to come and organise the back 4 for just 2 games….

  • RichardM says:

    For once Paul I agree with you – too much negativity on here, and too many ready to throw in the towel. I CAN see us getting at least a point out of the next two games and can’t see Doncaster getting anything at Leicester – ergo sum we stay up and Donny are relegated. If we win on Tuesdasy it’s mathematically impossible for us to go down, and if Millwall and Blackpool can beat Wigan them I’m bloody sure Blues can.

    • Chris W says:

      I don’t think the problem is whether Blues can beat Wigan, we have produced the goods against some very good teams this season, especially away from home. It boils down to whether Clark can put out a team that can beat Wigan.
      Morale must be at its lowest following this disastrous home record and yet another capitulation against Leeds.
      The other question is can LC motivate them.
      KRO+DNM

  • super trevs right boot says:

    now is not the time for reflection. Their are 2 cup finals left and maybe 1 point may be enough to see the Blues safe? keep the faith, Roar the Boys home Tuesday night KRO/SOTV.

  • beegeeblueboy says:

    So you’ve also heard that Clark’s a gonner in the morning

  • Raymondo says:

    Players who earn more than most of us dream of earning who put in such an inept performance like that in front of their own fans are a disgrace. They give the ball away to the opposition with alarming frequency. If the average person was so inept at their job they would be sacked, long contract or no long contract and they would have to go to an industrial tribunal to try and prove they were entitled to any sort of payment. Pay is based on competance and they don’t show much at all. It’s about time a maximum wage was introduced into briitish football as it is in the american soccer leagues.

  • mark says:

    well well the players let him down again silly individual errors no manager in the whole land can stop them only the players. Well done to lee for playing scott Allen show you all there is no rift at all only conjecture and hearsay….by people who want to make waves….. why because the players did not take their chances when they came…..
    Some of them were still in the dressing room wow we played well that first half which they did i might had. But the games is about possibly 95 or 96 mins. This team needs to play to the end not just the first half……….but the whole game and learn to finish off yours chances. How many times could we not cross pass the first man……hang on minute lets blame Clark just example because Burke could not get his crosses pass the first man. maybe we should have played 442 maybe that would have won us the game…..ziggy had one of his best games to near season oh dear i might be leaving so i better put the effort in oh sh*t why could i not play like this all season!!!
    this not about tactics or formation this about players shouldering their own responsibility out on the pitch. Sorry Daniel i not in agreement with you regarding Clark parting the ways. If and its a big if bartley and burns were still with us would we be having this discussion??? imo i think not because we would probably be in the play offs……..

    • Agent McLeish says:

      Good post. Some people just like to point fingers at a scapegoat and can’t seem to see the real reasons why we are towards the bottom of the league. BIHL & CY are a cancer on our club – quicker they are gone the better.

  • mark says:

    Daniel sorry to say imo Clark going to be quiet busy sorting out player contracts this summer, hopefully he had a chat PP regarding the players who he will be saying goodbye too, if he hasnt already done this…….. Clark would have made his feeling known to the directors regarding the situation we have been in….

  • Tony Dickinson says:

    An excellent blog by Jeremy Alexander on the Guardian website: http://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2014/apr/27/blues-deepen-birmingham-leeds-win-battle-basket-cases
    I’m just starting a supporters club in Myanmar (for anyone here who dares to admit being a Blues supporter right now). If you know anyone there, please let them know.

  • Blooflame says:

    Clark can talk of formations and tactics all he wants but if the players have no confidence in the manager it will never work. There aren’t enough core BCFC players to rebel against him…they are all loanees. So he’s lost the changing room and they are all going to do nothing.

  • Agent McLeish says:

    I always thought when LC was appointed that the job would be a poisoned chalice. Having to work for absent owners who have stripped the club of decent players and running the club into the ground. Then finding some decent loan players only for them to return to their clubs as we could not secure loan fees. I don’t think that LC as a manager can be judged on this and any manager would be struggling in the same situation. LC doesn’t have the quality in the squad. simple and with young players and loanees you are never going to get consistent performances. Saying that I do think that we will get a result at Wigan on Tuesday. I just hope that next season we’ll be talking about the muppets at BIHL in the past tense.

  • Andrew says:

    Its been hard for Clark since hes been here but gaining just 2 wins at home all season would get you the sack at any other club instantaneously. Im not saying thats right and i believe every manger should get a fair chance but looking at the team not one player hes brought in except randolph (goalkeepers dont count really) has been good enough to keep us in the league, then to change the team every week doesn’t help either. besides hes had 2 years to get a good enough feel for the job and what he’s up against.


Leave a Reply

Personalised Gifts for a Bluenose
Haircuts and League Cups
Open Tax Services
Corporate Solutions UK
PJ Planning
Rodal Heating

Archives