Birmingham City v Ipswich Town preview and matchday thread

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Birmingham haven't beaten us. We have beaten ourselves last night. We were architects of our downfall.
Average and unimpressive are the most appropriate words to describe the Birmingham team. Their recent results and performances have been suggesting they are in a poor form. Even their 2-1 against Brentford three weeks ago they were outclassed by the opposition. 10 days ago they were dismantled by Barnsley. 0-3 home defeat and 10 days later they face Ipswich Town. Definitely the opposition for taking but.... we were still devoid of ideas, quality and endeavour.
One enforced change due to Knudsen's injury otherwise that stubborn, ignorant man who is our manager didn't make any others. Bolted defence with his beloved Skusey and Douglas turned out to be the very wrong formation. Cautious approach (AKA McCarthy's cowardice) against the ordinary opposition was really embarrassing.
If only we had a quality player in the middle to distribute the ball we would have got the good result. But we have no middle. We have 'fabulous' Skusey who is content with strolling in front of back four and making pointless sideways passes. He has done literally sod all last night and gave a few balls away. Yet his manager will keep praising and pampering him. Douglas..... obviously he will be scapegoated by some as he always is and he was poor tonight. But he was no worse than others.
If only we had more players like Lawrence. The only player who offered a real threat as his pacy runs on the left wing were good to watch. Our left side in him and Kenlock were the most positive aspects to take from. Total opposite to the right side. Ward drifted between where he is supposed to be and the middle whereas Chambers was absolutely static.
First half we seemed to be a bit better in terms of possession without creating much. Lawrence was isolated with his individual efforts as other midfielders were pure spectators. Two chances from McGoldrick the second one should have been a goal as Kuszczak instinctively tipped the ball over the bar. But the shot should have been more powerful.
Couple of slight scary moments from Birmingham, one deflected shot parried by Bialkowski.
We would have and perhaps should have been ahead but one Lawrence isn't enough. Moreover there is well known other aspect, very annoying for me as any time we have a chance to produce quick counter attack we always fail to do so and allow opposition to come back and regroup. Why FFS????? I'd love to see our wingers and fowards causing a havoc and panic in opposition defence but the players 'opt' for slow build-up.

All of sudden we conceded from penalty and as ever mountain to climb for us when we are behind.

Second half and its start was lifeless and dour. Terrible second goal which we conceded. Sheer inability to defend set-piece. We are losing 0-2 so we have no option other than taking a risk and have a real go at them to save a point. But players' heads dropped. We never looked like taking a risk. Scandalous and alarming lack of passion and desire. No shouters, no mobilisation. Really frightening.

Out of nowhere we scored a goal. Not surprisingly created by Lawrence and his cross so Webster's header from close range was a formality.
We had a burst of activity following that goal which lasted about 10 minutes. Williams caused them a couple of scary moments after he came on.
Substitutions were baffling to say the least. McGoldrick even though he faded in the second half would still have offered more than one of Skuse/Douglas. Our tactic wasn't successful nor was formation. It had to be altered but stubborn McCarthy wasn't interested in splitting up Skuse/Douglas combo. Even when we were losing 0-2. The outcome? We failed to trouble Birmingham in the dying minutes. Yes we had a disallowed Berra's goal but nothing besides.

The defeat is a result of McCarthy's ignorance and stubborness. 'The more calls and rants about changes the less likely they will get it'. That's his flawed personal pride. His f*****g way or nothing and due to that we badly suffer. We had had arrogant and self-obsessed people in charge in Keane and Magilton and he is even worse than them in terms of that.

Williams - good enough to play in four matches of Euro 2016 that includes semi-final but somehow 'not good enough' to have a starting place in pathetic Championship strugglers' team. Insane isn't it? But more rants about Williams not starting matches the less likely he will start them, eh?

I've been one of 'bedwetters'. Bedwetters for the reason. Been moaning and whinging regarding the club's/team's issues. Lack of interest from Evans, all issues re McCarthy etc etc. Been often slated and shouted down by some for moaning and talking shyte. Was I wrong? I wasn't. Both team and club are in a sorry state. So if anyone is going to preach to me and tell me a nonsense like: 'be patient Mick will turn it around' or 'stop moaning as there are still many games to go' then I'm not interested in that. What I know and see is that nothing changes. We don't improve as a team, we don't rectify our mistakes. In a nutshell same old crap, countless excuses from McCarthy and him praising his proper blokes.

We are in a danger of getting relegated so if he remains stubborn with his 'philosophy' it will end up in tears.

Lawrence was our MOTM by far. One more player deserves a credit too and it's Kenlock. Impressive and how refreshing is to see our full-back who is forward-thinking instead of watching Knudsen and his pointless hoofing. I'd rather us to develop Kenlock but as it seems obvious Knudsen will be back in the team once he's recovered.

Wigan now. As ourselves they are the lowest scorers in the league but the ignorant one will still set us up defensively with Skuse and Douglas.

I badly want us to have a go at opposition, to see us producing quick counter attacks. Sick to the bits with that 'Skused' approach. I want to see opposition to feel threatened. Wishful thinking probably.

[Bluemike]

Another frustrating evening summed up pretty well by my good friend Mach although I do feel we were the masters of our own downfall and grabbed defeat from a game which I actually thought we certainly deserved something from and for me were the better side for large spells of the game, that said we once again lose a game of football to a team that are certainly no better than us, in fact I thought Birmingham were pretty poor which makes it even more frustrating to lose.

Fine lines and tight decisions are what determines many games and for me they certainly didn't go our way, while I was unsure at the time I don't think many Town fans can be too upset at what sounds like the right call for their penalty. Yet again it comes at such a bad time for us having been slightly the better team for much of the half with not an awful lot to show for it again, Didsy's effort aside that Kruszcak tipped over the bar we again did not trouble their keeper enough despite some decent approach work at times, Bart too was called into real action only the once palming away a Jutkiewicz shot from distance. It was down our left that Town were having some success with the very impressive Tom Lawrence trying to run at the Brum defence at every opportunity, 2 or 3 times he got in behind them but the final ball was either lacking or defended well. Behind him young Kenlock was also having a very good game, looking comfortable and assured for the most part whiule trying to get forward to support the attack, his passing was also good and didn't waste a ball from what I can remember. Birmingham did have a short spell towards the end of the half with a couple of efforts from distance which didnt trouble the Town rearguard.

If only we had more belief and endeavour in going forward we could have been ahead at the break, Mach is quite right there was nothing of any attacking note from our Central Midfield while once again Grant Ward was a no show, far too many sideways passes from Skuse & Douglas which may be safe but gets you nowhere. Lawrence had shown the way to go but ward showed nothing like that at all.

Birmingham started the second half on top and found themselves 2-0 up foloowing some horrendous defending at the back post from Town, quite who was supposed to be marking Morrison I have no idea but he was totally unmarked as he headed home, I also felt bart could have had stronger hands as he got them to the ball but failed to keep it out, they may be being a tad harsh but is how I saw it. With Town struggling to get back into the game MM brought on Pitman, Sears, & Williams for Varney who huffed and puffed with little reward, Ward who was just pointless & Didsy who had been ok but nothing more but even so taking Didsy off was a bit of a strange one for me considering we still chose to keep the Two defensive Midfielders on the park.

Finally we did get some reward for our efforts, a superb cross from the excellent Lawrence landed perfectly on the head of Webster who placed it into the back of the net, despite not having loads of chances it was no more than we deserved on balance of play and gave us a glimmer of hope. This led to a spell of hesitancy in the Birmingham defence as we went looking for a second, a couple of corners led to nothing while Kenlock & Sears both had efforts that were off target. As the game neared its end another one of theose fine lines decisions went against us as Berra headed home only to be penalised for climbing on a defender who by all accounts did not lift his feet off the floor, I certainly saw little wrong at the time and reports seem to indicate we were robbed. There was still time for Town to appeal strongly for a penalty for a foul on Douglas, again the ref giving it against us !

No doubt there will be many many calls for the head of the boss and this is down to a spell of games over a period of time and not just last night, for me we did ok last night and were unlucky to lose the game, BUT, we brought it on ourselves again, careless individual errors gifting goals for fun, strange line ups and odd substitutions will do little to ease the pressure on MM, his stubbornress for change seems to know no bounds. Birmingham are a poor side lacking in confidence and yet despite having the edge for much of the time we gift them the points, I could hardly remember them near our goal second half, all of the play was the other end, they had to do nothing to win the points, nothing.

Tom Lawrence was the biggest plus on the night, another top performance from the loanee, not far behind was young Kenlock who for me is already light years ahead of Knudsen, so much promise and confidence and yet MM will do himself nothing but harm again as Knudsen will return at the first opportunity. Webster again shows what a confident player he is by trying to bring the ball out of defence when he can and starting attacks, he defends well and of course came up with the goal. Unfortunately we had too many static players last night in Chambers, Skuse, Douglas and Ward, that is a third of your team so it is always going to be tough.

Bart (6) Chambers (5) Berra (6) Webster (7) Kenlock (7) Ward (5) Skuse (5) Douglas (5) Lawrence (8) Didsy (6) Varney (5)
SUBS :- Pitman (6) Sears (5) Williams (6)

Next up is Wigan and it is getting close to being a must win for different reasons which I never thought I would say, the two lowest scoring teams in the division points to a dull boring 0-0 draw, for some bizzare reason I will stick with it and make the journey, more so because I have not done Wigan before but I am seriously doubting my sanity at this time, through thick and thin and all that cobblers......

[Tangfastic]

Thanks for the good report, Mach. Look forward to Mike's later on - if he still has the will to do so.

Might be fine margins here and seems like that's our tactics - to "nick one". Its part of the game - penalty's against, disallowed goals, etc - so Mick can't keep on using that as excuses. Also, you make your own luck. If you go into the game without that desire or tactics to outplay the opposition - what luck do you expect?

[charlton837]

thank you both for the reports. Having not got to as many away games as I would have liked recently its always interesting to hear the comments after from those that did attend. I listened on the radio, I was pleased that Kenlock started albeit only because of an injury to Knudsen. Mike I hope you are wrong about MM putting Knudsen back in at first opportunity, I think you may be right but to me this will just pile so much more scrutiny on the manager, and at this moment he really doesn't need that, surely!?

Sounded to me as though we played OK for parts, but still didn't look like we were in danger of creating too much (Lawrence aside). We need to be more direct and make forward movements into space. I just couldn't believe we didn't play Williams, against a team that is struggling we had an opportunity to be more positive and take the game to them, we have to be more brave. At the moment we are being dull, boring, and damn right predictable and still 17th in table, what do we have to lose by opening up a tad? Everyone one of us can see that in the main Skuse/Douglas doesn't work, MM can point to the QPR game, I can point to many more than that where it simply has not worked. Lowest away scorers in the football league, before last night 6 goals in 14 games (including end of last season) of which 2 were pens, it is clear that whatever we are doing it is not working, and many call this the "safe" approach.

It was interesting to hear Milne talking about ticket pricing recently, sounds like they may reduce them (both ST and match day) but this isn't the problem, nobody in the club is understanding people are bored, they are not complaining so much about how much its costing, just that its boring. The club needs to get a grip. I am confident we wont get dragged too much into a relegation battle (famous last words) but we are certainly a million miles away from a top 6 side, no sane fan is thinking its possible surely? We have no divine right to be one anyway, but we are better than the team is showing at the moment. I read the other day that our wage bill is the highest it has been in a number of years, we went down this route in order to attract the "better" available cheap options thus avoiding big transfer fees, however we look the worst we have under MM. Very concerned at the moment, I can only think come March time when ST renewals are sent out that some action will be taken, if we lost another 2,000 ST holders I think its curtains for MM.

Time will tell I guess

[Bluemike]

Hi Charlton,

I would bet anyone knudsen will be drafted straight back into the First Eleven once fit, for me it is nailed on.

[hallamblue]

I'm not so sure on that one Mike. McCarthy has stated that Kenlock was " different class", last night, so that leads me to think the light may have finally dawned on him.

[Tangfastic]

I'm not so sure on that one Mike. McCarthy has stated that Kenlock was " different class", last night, so that leads me to think the light may have finally dawned on him.

"Different class" usually is a good sign. I'm just thinking that Mick might sacrifice his Knudsen as a bargaining tool to keep his Dougie in the side.

[herforder]

Great reports from Mach and Mike - largely reflecting what was coming over from Messrs Woolley and Mills. Perhaps they've been reading recent social media comments since, for a welcome change, there was both criticism and exasperation expressed during commentary. However, Tim Edwards of the ITFC Official Supporters' Club took to the airwaves this morning and, wearing his super strength blue-tinted glasses, appeared to be in total denial regarding those issues that are generating so much concern and debate among supporters right now. He did himself no favours, and left me wondering just how 'independent' his organisation is. He certainly doesn't speak for me. Far too cosy relationship with the club, clearly fearful of expressing constructive criticism.

Our static, moribund, risk averse - or simply not good enough - central (Skuglas) and right midfield (Ward) is what again came across as a major factor preventing us posing a credible threat. That, and the gap between the bits of quality we do possess (TL, JW, AW, BB, DMcG) and 'the rest', becomes increasingly obvious. MM's refusal, or inability, to find a set up that accommodates all of our quality players, just constrains the team's chances of imposing itself on the opposition, or recovering from conceding the first goal/going further behind. Don't think the confidence or belief is there.

But really pleased for young Kenlock, who surely showed enough to win a start on Saturday! Also for TL - a class apart - and AW on scoring his first goal for the club.

Any thoughts of the 'R' word at this stage - nothing more than premature expectation!

[hallamblue]

I'm not so sure on that one Mike. McCarthy has stated that Kenlock was " different class", last night, so that leads me to think the light may have finally dawned on him.

"Different class" usually is a good sign. I'm just thinking that Mick might sacrifice his Knudsen as a bargaining tool to keep his Dougie in the side.

If Douglas can be allowed to play far enough forward he can actually be a threat. But Skuse has to do a solid holding / protecting role. But overall Douglas must surely be in his past season of CC football.

.....Here's hoping he's not still with us next season in League One !

[hallamblue]

Great reports from Mach and Mike - largely reflecting what was coming over from Messrs Woolley and Mills. Perhaps they've been reading recent social media comments since, for a welcome change, there was both criticism and exasperation expressed during commentary. However, Tim Edwards of the ITFC Official Supporters' Club took to the airwaves this morning and, wearing his super strength blue-tinted glasses, appeared to be in total denial regarding those issues that are generating so much concern and debate among supporters right now. He did himself no favours, and left me wondering just how 'independent' his organisation is. He certainly doesn't speak for me. Far too cosy relationship with the club, clearly fearful of expressing constructive criticism.

Our static, moribund, risk averse - or simply not good enough - central (Skuglas) and right midfield (Ward) is what again came across as a major factor preventing us posing a credible threat. That, and the gap between the bits of quality we do possess (TL, JW, AW, BB, DMcG) and 'the rest', becomes increasingly obvious. MM's refusal, or inability, to find a set up that accommodates all of our quality players, just constrains the team's chances of imposing itself on the opposition, or recovering from conceding the first goal/going further behind. Don't think the confidence or belief is there.



But really pleased for young Kenlock, who surely showed enough to win a start on Saturday! Also for TL - a class apart - and AW on scoring his first goal for the club.

Any thoughts of the 'R' word at this stage - nothing more than premature expectation!

Relegation is a very real threat IMO, the constant hard luck stories are a but worrying , (although we have effectly been denied . 5 pts due to perfectly good goals being ruled out by wanker refs), but we create so few real chances and never really attack teams, we aren't one of the lowest scoring sides by accident are we.

If a team can't score goals and can't stop gifting soft ones to their opponents, it usually only ends in one way. Relegation. Which is why this Jan window is a watershed IMO. Evans either gets HIS act together of suffer the consequences. Micks not bother. He has 18 months left on his contract - which won't be renewed I'm sure. All he has to do is sit tight. Which I personally now feel he is doing. The ball is firmly in Evans' court IMO.

Guess we'll find out in 2-3 weeks time.

[herforder]

As each game goes by with nothing gained, so the possibility of relegation becomes that little bit more solid. Of course there's currently plenty of games left; but with the squad's glaring deficiencies sticking out like the dog's sphericals, lack of meaningful investment in Jan could well tip the relegation odds further against us. We have to be honest and not kid ourselves that it just couldn't happen.

Despite his secure contract and apparent acceptance of 'the gig' that he's taken on, I would nevertheless hope that MM is having serious words with ME. Neither owner nor manager would presumably want to be tagged as the incompetent duo who effectively ploughed a much loved and respected club into the brown stuff.

(Wigan v Newcastle on Sky).