Often Partisan

Bring It On

Birmingham City are to play their rivals from across the expressway away from home in the third round of the league cup following their 2-0 win over Gillingham last night. Two goals from Wes Thomas sealed victory in a match that saw debuts from the bench for Nicolai Brock-Madsen and Viv Solomon-Otabor.

I wasn’t at the game last night having returned to Katowice on Monday and as such I can’t comment on the performance… but what a draw. While I’m sure West Midlands Police are busy sorting out their overtime and no doubt new pavement dancing routines will be spoken about by some of the ahem, funkier, of fans it’s a great tie – one that we should all be looking forward to.

I can’t imagine a better time to play them in truth. Like in 2002, I get the impression their squad will be made up of players who either don’t know the history around the derby or who won’t understand the visceral hatred that surrounds it; on the other hand judging by twitter last night our squad definitely does get it and are as excited as most Blues fans I saw online last night. We’ll get to see a match up of a young, ambitious manager with an excellent win ratio against Tim Sherwood – and Rowett will be able to lay to rest the criticisms he got from some fans for weakening the squad against the Baggies last year.

As I tweeted last night it also gives Panos Pavlakis a deadline. We’ve seen in the news that Blues may look to the loan window for a centre-back; I personally have no problem with this but I think we’d all like that player in place in time for this fixture to ensure the squad is as strong as possible for it.

I’m not going to fall into the trap of saying that this is the most important match of the season; it’s not a cup final after all and unlike the mob from B6 we actually know how it feels to win something this millenium. It is however one of the most exciting and while I’m still ambivalent about our chances of reaching the playoffs over a 46 game season, I think we have much more chance of winning a one-off match against our local rivals. This time last year I think I’d have actually cried at the thought of facing them under Lee Clark but times have changed and Blues are a team on the rise.

The next month is going to be fun and banter on social media; a Cannock-raised TalkSport presenter gave it some last night about “how the city was theirs”. All I personally want from Gary Rowett is to be able to remind people that there is only one team in Birmingham proud enough and strong enough to carry the city’s name – and they play in royal blue. Keep Right On.

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67 Responses to “Bring It On”

  • Dave Gibson says:

    I can’t wait! An evening kick off, the fans will be well tanked up, and the cops will be busy! Villa have the Baggies 3 days before, so lets hope that they give the Villa a derby battle so that they will be nice and knackered for when they play us!

  • Tony E says:

    My concern re this game is that if we lose B6 will give it long and loud, whilst if we win Gary’s already impressive reputation goes even higher and prem clubs will start to take serious notice of him. What a wonderful job he is doing, long may it continue.

  • jon says:

    rehearsal for next season

  • Blue Lizard says:

    The City is OURS….We carry the name of the city of which Aston is a suburb…We are BIRMINGHAM CITY
    KRO

  • john says:

    In reality, it should be an easy win for the villa. Most of their squad , individually, cost more than the whole of the Blues squad, put together. But like most bluenoses, I will really fancy our chance on the night. The City is, and will be, ours !

  • Agent McLeish says:

    In 2011 we beat the Vile in 2-1 in the 5th round; the rest is glorious history.

  • David L says:

    I think I might be a lonely voice here…but, I don’t want to see the fans “tanked up”, and whilst I’m hugely aware of the rivalry, this is an early round of a minor cup competition.

    So banter yes, a bit of edge, yes, but “owning the city” and “visceral hatred”…that’s taking things way too far.

    Let’s keep “owning the city” for a 3 pointer in the Prem, let’s keep visceral hatred away from any form of sporting contest, and I’m not sure that comparing success levels over the years puts us in a particularly good light. Soccer Sixes vs European Cup, anyone?

    I’m really pleased with the honest and workmanlike way in which Rowett seems to be pointing BCFC, and like an honest workman, I’d like to see the fans appreciate that other clubs also have a proud history and heritage, we can meet those clubs in a wholehearted (almost said ‘full-blooded’ – but that has dodgy overtones!) way on pitch and on terrace – but at the end of it all, metaphorically at least, shake hands and share a pint.

    • Richard Granfield says:

      Well said David.
      The last thing the Club need are drunken idiots bringing the good name of Blues into disrepute.

    • Tony says:

      Minor cup competition// are you kidding? were you saying that when we won it? its a major competition one all the top clubs want to win, and we have won it.
      The vile from that horrible district of Brum are due a relegation And I can think of no greater pleasure than beating them whatever it takes must be done.

      • David L says:

        No, indeed, on both occasions when we won it, it was a joy to celebrate.

        But, with a realist head on, out of the 3 competitions that the club’s senior team is entered into, the League Cup is the one with least glory attached to it. Thus, it’s not unreasonable to call it ‘minor’

        If that wasn’t the case why were the fewer than 10K there and why did we feel we could rest many first choices?

        My post was an appeal to keep things in perspective. Yes, sure it’s good to have a competitive game vs AV, but it’s not for points and it’s not the later stages of a cup.

        So I was hoping people would reign in all the triumphalist, rabble rousing stuff, and save that for when such a game really is meaningful.

  • Bluey says:

    If we`re being honest for a moment we should get beat.They are premier league with an expensive squad which,man for man,is much better than ours.However the pressure is on them.No-one expects us to get through so we can approach it with less stress than they can.Expect to lose but you just never know.

  • Adam True Blue says:

    They were lucky to come away with a win over County last night, I am sure the ref was a vile, and look at the expansive gap between their two teams, those that think we haven’t a chance, think again. Kro

  • Big Al says:

    Really enjoyed last nights game. Kieftenbeld was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch. What a signing!

  • After over three years of seeing this club of ours acid stripped of all its players ,and now seeing Gas R and co drag the club back to life , I can’t think of a better way of whetting G Rs new squad of players lips than the taste of claret as we swallow the old enemy whole , show no mercy blues , your simply smokin ,

  • KC says:

    Really pleased to see Eardley have a good game last night. Rowett got it so right with his selections and timings of substitutions.

  • Bluennosesol says:

    Great to see a pic of mum and my sister up on the big screen at Stans last night to celebrate her 81st Birthday. I bought her a ticket to MK Dons for her birthday!! Great present with a 2-0 victory last night and the icing on the cake was the draw against the Vile!! Sick as a parrot I will be on a California Road Trip to celebrate wife’s 60th when the match is played, so must ensure I have a stream on my phone and access to Wifi. Some great performances last night especially the new striker kid who won every aerial battle and could have scored, but must mention Eardley who was solid at the back and who created a lot with his bursting runs from defence to attack. Things are absolutely looking up! KRO!!!!!

  • StaffsBlue says:

    No matter what the competition, a match against the villa is a match against the villa. I’d want to beat them as much in a friendly as in a League Cup game. As for their fans… I couldn’t care less about them. Absolutely no interest in what they think or say.

    At the end of the day, we ARE the biggest team in Birmingham. They’re just the biggest team in Aston.

    • David L says:

      I think it’s about respect. In my book, the top sportsmen/women strive every sinew to defeat their opponent(s). So should supporters, and so will I (albeit from my Yorkshire exile) on the night of the game.

      But when the game is over, sometimes you will have won, sometimes your opponent will have done.

      You surely have to be able to sit down afterwards and reflect on triumph and disaster in equal measure and be able to deal with both.

      I think Kipling’s poem “If” (I think that’s right) expresses things perfectly – and I think the key lines are over the players’ entrance at Wimbledon (tennis not footy!)

  • asif says:

    hopefully get a win. hope agbonlahor dont score!!!!

  • Dave Mann says:

    It’s a game to far for the vile .. We’re coming to get you and I personally will love it if we beat them .. LOVE IT … Best of luck to the west midland police , there gonna need it ! Kro

    • David L says:

      I’m sorry, but I really can’t go along with this hatred and wishing to give the police a hard time.

      Hating someone and causing bovver for people who are just doing their job?

      I know it takes all sorts and I understand that many points of view have validity, but if that’s a definition of a successful and enjoyable evening, then I’m not with you.

      • Dave Mann says:

        David,David stop getting the wrong end of the stick , I was just stating fact ok .. The police will have there work cut out by drunken yobs from both sets of fans and I wouldn’t change my job for anything that they will have to put up with pal .. Not promoting violence because I wouldn’t go to all the games I go to if I was that way inclined ok . Kro

  • Shirley Blue says:

    The key might be will the two managers want to play their strongest team in this game. Villa have West Brom at home on the Saturday before and Liverpool away the Saturday after. Survival in the Premier League has got to be their priority. In our case I dont think we will be either going up or down so we can risk playing our first choice players though we have a smaller squad.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I would rather villa put out their strongest team… or you’ll have their fans claiming we only beat their reserves because it wasn’t that important to them. Not for me, I want our strongest team against their strongest team. Nothing less will do. May the best team win.

  • Dave Mann says:

    I don’t think Gary will put a young team out do you? … Experienced , hard nosed players for this game and plenty of bottle and fight … I don’t give a monkeys what side they put out , kro

    • kro says:

      I dont think Rowett would dare bottle it with team selection. Can see Legzdins getting the nod and Mitch doing something to force his way into that team but other then that i am expecting the first team players to start. We need this win and everyone at the club should know it. KRO

    • StaffsBlue says:

      After Albion last year… I can’t see Rowett making the same mistakes again Dave.

  • Micko says:

    Great result last night in Brum Reserves v Gillingham – I feared a banana skin last night – Gillingham are a useful side. Look at how Villa and the Baggies struggled against “lowly” opposition last night and all those top Championship sides in the previous round. The team sheet just showed how Rowett has quietly built up the squad (except one more central defender) to the point where he puts out, essentially, a “reserve” team and it looked as good on paper as they ultimately played. Throughout the summer there has been panic amongst all us “pundits” (me included) that things were not moving fast enough with building up the squad. I, for one, will shut up now. Really looking forward to the next round – just imagine, humiliating the Aussies at cricket AND beating Villa within a couple of months – life is good !!!

  • Adam True Blue says:

    A quick well done to Cotts yet again named in the Wales squad for euro 2016. Kro

  • geoff morton says:

    A lot of partisan comment already…….we have nearly 3 weeks to go before the next round……you will soon need a bigger web site !!

    Sadly my travels have kept me away from BCFC this season…….roll on October !

  • Eric says:

    Good point David = forget the getting “tanked up” and take a kid with you. This is football not war!

  • Brumbie says:

    A great draw can’t wait for the game ! I think we have a chance but don’t think we should get to carried away as they are a premiership team with some quality players. Recent cup results have shown that lower league clubs can give the big boys a bloody nose so if we put a strong side we can give them problems and who knows what can happen on the night. We have made a good start to the season and hope that if we do come unstuck it won’t send everyone into depression and take the shine of all the good work.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    The match is being shown live on Sky.

  • rhees says:

    Just hope Garry gets good centre back and we play best 11 then we will give them good game
    Not the draw I personally wanted but bring it on

  • Shirley Blue says:

    Each club gets 45% of the gate receipts so hopefully a full house – should be enough for GR to get in a new centre back. Nice to think the Vile fans will be helping us to buy a new player!

  • Dave Mann says:

    Yes staffs Tuesday 22nd September 7-45pm…. That on this occasion might keep a few vile fans away but I can assure you that what ever we get given will sell out in hours so for once ime happy the games live and let’s all hope that we do our selves proud and humiliate them in there own back yard in front of the watching public … And I mean on the pitch not off it !! Kro

  • bluenoserob says:

    Which would everyone prefer …us beating the villa in the cup and the ville staying in the premier league Or them beating us but they get relegated ??

    • Adam True Blue says:

      Sorry Bnr, but it’s us beating them AND them being relegated, there is no option for either. Kro

      • Shirley Blue says:

        It’s a tough choice but I would take a defeat in a couple of weeks in exchange for them getting relegated. That is real misery – we should know!! Especially with the megabucks Premier League deal from next season – that would really hurt them. They won’t win the cup even if they beat us. I am still enjoying the memory of their performance in the FA Cup final.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Come on Brugge !!! .. We’re the only british team to win there !! … Leafs hope man utd get through but don’t win .. Agreed !! KRO

  • Blue Steve says:

    Looks like Dimmy is off to Leicester!

  • Dave Mann says:

    Blue Steve .. Back it up or shut the f— up ok kro

  • Mitchell says:

    Good move for Gray. Leicester will settle him down and give him the chance he deserves in the Prem. £4.7 about right.

  • Mitchell says:

    Dave. Official statement by Leicester to The Guardian at 5.30pm. Perhaps Daniel could confirm.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Sorry. Blue Steve …if your right then my deepest apologies .. Wow .. Never mind !! Kro

  • bluenose4eva says:

    David L just one question ARE YOU A BLUES SUPPORTER? ?? KRO

  • Dave Mann says:

    No news anywhere else ! Kro

  • bluenoserob says:

    We could be pushing for a loanee or two off Leicester to go with the deal

  • blue says:

    hope he prefers to stay and play in the cup.

  • Stephen says:

    Would be totally stupid to get rid of Grey when we are in the process of building a superb side. Would be typical of Blues to destroy Rowett’s team building. If you want a decent side then you keep your best players capable of representing Englaand not sell them for a pittance like Nathan Redmond and Butland were. Sell your best players and the manager will leave. Does anyone want that?

  • andy says:

    I am sick and tired of seeing the club sell off it’s future!

  • BlueIan says:

    Read the Leicester Mercurys report no bid has been made .

  • No fee agreed as yet! I would be surprised if the release clause was 4.7 million Tbh . Seems odd why wouldn’t it be a round figure? They may well be interested though. If they offered us 7 mill and Liam Moore on loan I’d take it all day long! As good as grays potential is he’s not the finished product and can be very inconsistent. On his day he is class he just doesn’t do it often enough for me!

  • StaffsBlue says:

    If Rowett got a decent chunk of the money to spend on the squad, then Gray’s departure wouldn’t be the end of the world. We have at least two other players who can operate down the left side of midfield and not bring any less to the team. For me, it’s how much Rowett gets out of it.

  • Blue Lizard says:

    GR said that Gray had bulked up during the closed season….he just seems to have bigger hair,He gets barged off the ball too easy and looks short on confidence.All in all he goes missing too ,we can’t afford that type of luxury with the small squad we have we need sleeve roller uppers …if GR gets the money from the sale I’d not be worried by Gray going if it meant strengthening

  • Bluenosesol says:

    After all the close season chit chat from Panos, the club have gone quiet again and as for Tatts well????. The danger is that the £5m we get for Gray could be money to keep the lights on. If GR isnt getting any then I hope we keep him!

  • KC says:

    This week I have had the best felling I have had about BCFC and football for a very,very long time. Tonight the fears have returned.

  • My mates a Leicester fan! A couple of days ago they was signing ballotelli. Next thing you know he’s gone to Milan. It’s that time of year again. Transfer deadline day looms the gossip columns run riot. Let’s not get carried away until an official announcement is made! Neymar to United? Say no more!

  • poppa999 says:

    £50m v £0.5m nothing to lose, nothing to prove.


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