Often Partisan

Millwall Preview in Association with EZE Group

Lee Clark takes his Birmingham City side to South London knowing that his job must be on the line following the home defeat to Fulham at the weekend. With just seven points from nine games Blues find themselves in 21st place and already looking nervously at the bottom three.

Millwall

Millwall are in sixteenth place with eleven points – four more than Blues – but have not won a league game in September so far and have taken one point from a possible twelve.

Nicky Bailey misses out having aggravated a recent calf problem and will undergo a scan to see if he caused fresh damage to the muscle.

Blues

Jonathan Spector misses out with a knock but Koby Arthur returns to contention following a slight injury sustained on loan. Tellingly, Steve Watson took the pre-match press conference with Lee Clark “busy watching another video of Millwall now to ensure that no stone remains unturned” – whether there is anything more to read into this remains to be seen.

It’s hard to tell from 6,000 miles away how well we played at the weekend; unfortunately my internet connection was patchy at best in Shenzhen and I wasn’t able to find out the score until the game had finished so I’m not going to go into which players need to improve; however the bald fact remains we have won one game in nine so far this season and there seems to be a continual theme of Blues conceding in the last half hour. I know that there isn’t any such thing as “must win games” at this time of the season and I don’t even think this one is a “must win” game for Clark as I think his fate surely was sealed at the weekend – a win tonight is three welcome points but would do nothing more than paper over the cracks of what has become a shocking start to the season from Blues.

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211 Responses to “Millwall Preview in Association with EZE Group”

  • StevieW says:

    Dan good preview, like you I think LC goose is cooked just need events to evolve that allow for him to leave.

    More to the point whats happening at the AGM any snippets of news yet????

  • Raymondo says:

    I can’t see why any reputable manager would want to be involved with this chinese lot. They can’t manage a business properly, let alone a football club. Any new manager would not get any money to spend on better class players. I think that for that reason we will continue to be saddled with the present manager. Only a change of owners or some form of intervention from the Football League can help us, IMO. The only thing they might possibly do is sack Clark and promote one of his assistants. This of course would save them money, which would be much more their style.

  • Mineheadblue says:

    I agree with Raymondo, I think they will promote from within in the short term. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Watson, Thompson or both in temporary charge quite soon.
    For me it can’t come soon enough, any change is to welcomed and who knows, they might do okay until a permanent appointment comes along. KRO

  • fingles says:

    I think we are stuck with Cklark regardless.

    Why would they change?

    • dave mann says:

      try looking at his record fingles and it might give you some idea why a change is needed….its atrocious!!! KRO.

      • Bren says:

        I will be there supporting the team tonight and Lee Clark. I think its been well commented upon but Lee is a very hardworking manager who has had our interests at heart despite extremely difficult circumstances which would have been endearing were it not for the results and implicit incompetence. I wont be putting money on this being Lee’s last game but I expect Steve Watson in charge for Charlton and an unexpected turn of events next week. The team and the club must come first. KRO

  • StaffsBlue says:

    We have defenders dropping like flies again, with Caddis being the only fit right back left. With the likes of Brown, Johnstone and Shea playing for the development side last night, the squad for tonight is looking a little thin. If Robbo has to play (and it’s more than likely) I’d go with a team similar to this.

    Randolph

    Caddis Hall Robinson Grounds

    Davis Edgar Reilly

    Cotterill Donaldson Gray

    If that midfield can’t stay locked up tight for 90 minutes… then I give up.

    • mark says:

      like the team selection staffs, what ever team goes out on the pitch tonight individual mistakes need to be put to bed.Them players need to realize on any given day we can beat teams. Sounds like Daniel confident of the clark exit, i am sure he said that at the start of season lol

      • StaffsBlue says:

        We could.. and should, have beaten 7 of the 9 teams we’ve played so far. For me, it shows we’re not that far away. We just need to stop throwing away the dominance we’re having in games and more importantly… STOP MISSING EASY CHANCES!!!

        • Chris W says:

          We start games playing the high line, nothing wrong with that, it gives us the dominance we have been craving for. But then we score, suddenly we drop deep and encourage the opposition to attack us, in turn this gives them confidence and they score, we become lost and that is when mistakes, no one takes responsibility of the ball in midfield and it becomes the proverbial hot potato.
          With your line up why not move Grounds across and bring in Hancox for Robbo, and not sure bout Reilly, he can be a really exciting prospect but his passing lets him down, but I think he can link well with Hancox. Just my thought on things.
          KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I totally agree. I too would move Grounds across and play Hancox at LB… unfortunately, Mitch played for the development squad last night. If it were left to me, neither Spector nor Robbo would get near the first team again, but it’s not my decision. The reason I would use those 3 in midfield, is to try to keep it tight for 90 minutes, instead of an hour.

            Looks like Koby Arthur is fit again to play. Whether he starts remains to be seen… but if not, he can replace Gray when he goes off after about an hour.

          • Chris W says:

            If we play 4-4-2 I would use Koby along side Thomas, the position he played when out on loan successfully.
            Donaldson doesn’t seem to have the heart or commitment for me and he keeps running down the channel when that is what the wingers should be doing.
            Gray should be able to last 90 minutes now if a replacement is needed then Duffy for me.
            KRO+DNM

    • dave mann says:

      whatever team he picks it will disintegrate after half time when unnecessary subs are made as per usual….same old same old. KRO.

      • mark says:

        dave forced subs were made at Fulham, and gray was unlucky not to score before fulham scored their second, I personally dont think hes tinkered that much, rightly staffs mentioned in his previous comments almost a settled side, barring injuries…. I can fully understand your frustration………

        • StaffsBlue says:

          vs Fulham. Gray.. forced change.
          vs Norwich. Gray, Robinson.. forced changes.
          vs Sheff W. Eardley.. forced change.
          vs Leeds U. Hall.. forced change.

          That’s 5 forced substitutions in our last 4 games. Through illness/injury, not tactical.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I forgot Spector.. forced change in the 94th minute against Fulham.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            … and the game against Wigan before that, Novak off at half time. Forced change. That equates to 7 in our last 5 games. Not a lot you can do about that.

          • Chris W says:

            As I said Staffs, you can’t foresee injuries or illness,
            v Leeds – Shea for Gray (Leeds score) and Spector for Davis
            v Sheffield W – Shea for Gray (Sheff score) and Davis for Gleeson (Sheff score)
            v Fulham – Shea for Duffy (Fulham score 2)
            Maybe we should stop using Shea as a sub.
            KRO+DNM

          • Tms blues says:

            Regardless of forced changes or not sack him cos he’s the worst manager we’ve seen here in ages. If we get a result at mill wall my real worry it will save his neck again, but they should look at how he’s destroyed everything for us at home ! The owners are responsible for our issues off the field which have an influence on the pitch but it’s been clear now for 2 years that Clark is nothing more than a babbling enthusiast who couldn’t select a tv channel let alone a football team without getting it wrong or screwing it up after getting it right!

  • mark says:

    things can change so quickly in football if we were in the premiership we would have been favorite to go down. But with 46 games a couple of wins shoot you back up the table. three team in the bottom three would you say they are relegation certainty?? it over a course of a season to be judged…imo

  • mark says:

    hoping Donaldson got his shooting boots on tonight he due a couple of goals, start repaying Clarks faith in him

  • dave mann says:

    if we score 6 tonight like we did 3 seasons ago there score 7 in the last half hour. KRO.

  • Tony says:

    We don’t want any internal promotions a complete break is needed, Clarks assistants should go too guilty by association.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I do agree, Lee Clark deserves a lot of the criticism he’s getting… he doesn’t help himself with some of his decisions. But, I don’t think the players should be exempt from their share of the blame. Clark is obviously setting the team up properly and his tactics are spot on for at least the first half…. this is evident by the way we’ve dominated teams this season. But, it all seems to go tits up after about an hour… and I cannot believe for one minute that Clark sends them out to play differently in the second half. It’s just too ludicrous for words. Why would he, when we’re so on top? Clark doesn’t contrive to miss chances my granddaughter could put away. Clark doesn’t head/pass to opposition players in his own area, instead of putting his boot through it.

    I’m not exonerating Clark from any blame.. but I think it should be more fairly proportioned. If we’d put away only our first half chances against Fulham, I’m pretty certain that we’d have run out 4 or 5 goal winners.. and we would be looking forward to the Millwall game tonight.

    • Chris W says:

      Spot on staffs, the players have to stand up and be counted.
      I still can’t get my head round that collectively after we score they stop playing the high-line and pressing the opposition. It has happened in every game we have taken the lead.
      We haven’t got the players to soak up pressure so why invite it?
      KRO+DNM

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I often wonder… do they ever play 90 minute, full-bloodied practice matches? Surely that would be a way of sorting out that problem? Or is that too simplistic?

        I like David Davis, but he has to cover so much ground during a game, he’s knackered by about 70 minutes. He needs some help in there. Caddis is too indisciplined to play there, Gleeson hasn’t shown any of what has impressed other managers… Reilly is better, but in 2 years, his passing and distribution has hardly improved at all. That’s why I’d think about playing either Robinson or Grounds at the back and pushing Edgar forward to help out Davis.

        • Chris W says:

          One of the problems with the modern game is the fact they make it so complicated.
          It really is a simple game, score more goals than the opposition to win.
          Sir Alf Ramsey was berated in 66 for playing two wingers and effectively 3 strikers, Hunt, Hurst and Charlton, or the “W” formation, basically the attackers attacked and defenders defend the only natural link was Nobby Stiles, simple.
          KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            IIRC, wasn’t Ramsey the one who did away with wingers?

          • Chris W says:

            Effectively with his formation. though both Ball and Peters were better known for their attacking flair down the flanks they were not actual wingers in the Connelly or Callaghan moulds.
            Ball and Peters played deeper in what we know as 4-1-2-1-2 or 4-1-3-2 depending on whether we were attacking of defending.
            At the end of the day he made a bold statement that we would win the cup, and he stuck by his guns and did it his own way despite being told he had to drop Styles for being too aggressive.
            KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            The England WC winning team were known as “The Wingless Wonders.”

          • Tony says:

            Chris Ramsey did not use wingers

          • Chris W says:

            In the group stages he used Ian Callahan, Terry Paine or John Connelly. during the knock out stages he used Alan Ball and Martin Peters as wide midfielders, but they attacked down the flanks. Both returned to their respected clubs and played as wingers..
            It was the papers who gave the title of “wingless wonders”, the official formation was 4-3-3 while the Germans played the conventional 4-4-2.
            KRO+DNM

      • dave mann says:

        lets see if were all saying the same thing tomorrow, I desperately hope I get my a–e kicked on here and blues win with a bit of a swagger and don’t fall apart in the second half and don’t get picky little injuries and use subs that totally change the game against us but………….were see!!! KRO.

        • Chris W says:

          Dave I would like to think the same but somehow I can’t get my heart to rule my head.
          LC just doesn’t enthuse confidence anymore. All the clichés under the sun isn’t going to change the way we play, as you say either the players are not listening or LC doesn’t have a clue how to stop the rot, which means he has lost the dressing room as the players are not helping him.
          He is into his third full season and we seem to be getting progressively worse, money or no money he should be able to motivate the players, the question is, do the players want to be motivated by him. As professionals they shouldn’t need motivating.
          KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I really don’t think it’s a case of players not listening.. if that was the case, I can’t imagine any manager playing those kind of players. I do think it’s mainly down to lack of experience at this level and the confidence, when under pressure, that is needed. People constantly refer to us having league 1 and 2 players… but are surprised when they sometime revert to playing League 1/2 football. I watched some good stuff going forward this season.. but I’ve seen some awful mistakes when we’re on the defensive.

            I’m sure that a lot of the players will improve as the season goes on and they get used to this division… but we need it to happen sooner rather than later.

          • Chris W says:

            The thing is Staffs the longer things go as we are the lower the confidence levels become. It then becomes harder to instil change.
            I have seen some good football, we have created chances, which hopefully our strikers will begin to put away. I think the midfield are slow at getting up to support the strikers which see either Donaldson or Thomas out wide, sometimes both which leaves no one in the middle, something that Novak was helping to solve.
            Unfortunately the players need to step up now, they should be getting use to the pace and most have some experience at this level, Grounds, Edgar, Duffy and Cotterill plus our own players from last season.
            KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            I think we’ve missed Novak out on the left a lot more than people would like to admit. He does a lot of good possession work out there and supports the full back better than any other wide player we’ve got.

        • Tms blues says:

          Dave I hope we win but also hope the board see it’s home form that’s killing the club and supporters and sack Clark ASAP.

    • Mr_Crosby says:

      1 win in 23 home games, he would walk if he had any dignity.

  • Dave says:

    I know it’s an away game tonight and statistically under Clark we do better away, but can I point out that we’ve won just 18 points from the last 29 home games….! Managers have been sacked with significantly better records and we’re facing a Milwall team that were unlucky not to be Forest the other week, and who are led by a manager who knows how to get the best out of his players.

    Clark picks the team, decides the tactics, gives the team talks. Either the players aren’t listening and masterminding their own downfall, or they are listening and then it speaks for itself. The only place that’s dropping points faster than us is cowing Tesco’s!

    • dave mann says:

      very true Dave. KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Steve Watson: “For some reason which we find very difficult to put our finger on, the lads seem to take a step backwards and panic a little bit. One goal leads to two and we start playing negatively and virtually the complete opposite of how we’ve set up to play and how we’ve done in the first-half.”

      That’s exactly how I see it.

      • Chris W says:

        Which is stating my point, when we score we drop deep and allow the opposition to get the upper hand, the only team that didn’t were Brighton and I think that was more luck, they seemed worse than we were.
        KRO+DNM

        • StaffsBlue says:

          What we’re missing and have been for many years, is an older, wiser, clever defensive midfielder, someone who can organise an inexperienced midfield, someone who doesn’t panic under pressure. Someone like Derby’s John Eustace for example.

      • Art Watson says:

        Steve Watson-We don’t wish to hear the problems you’re paid to find the solutions…..it’s called management.

        • StaffsBlue says:

          I’d prefer to hear what the coaching staff have to say. It’s a pity the owners/directors don’t take a leaf out of their book… instead of treating us like mushrooms!

          • Art Watson says:

            Staffs,

            I just don’t believe the team all of a sudden loses confidence-may be one or two players will suffer with the pressure but not the entire team.There is something fundamentally wrong with the game plan,fitness or coaching and it’s the managements responsibility to sort it out.

            They appear void of any ideas and to state this publicly following yet another bad result is embarrassing.Clark and his coaches should shut up and stop making fools of themselves in the local press.

          • Chris W says:

            I can’t see where the pressure is coming from, it certainly isn’t from the supporters, though maybe one or two could certainly do a bit more and fitness levels seem rather low.
            The problem has to be from the manager and coaching staff, either they are making things technically difficult or the are not getting their messages through.
            To go on record saying “We have not got an answer” is a clear sign of ineptitude in my book.
            Football is not rocket science, when you have the ball you attack, when you haven’t, you defend, if you score more goals than the opposition you win if they score more goals than you you lose…. What could be simpler.
            How many times have we heard managers state “Let’s go back to basics”.
            KRO+DNM

      • mark says:

        colin tattum cannot put his finger on it either………..maybe the curse has returned in vengeance lol

  • StaffsBlue says:

    The ref tonight is Roger East. Expect plenty of added time for Millwall to come back… if the Ipswich game is anything to go by. Same ref.

  • Texas Pete says:

    The only things we have going for us are the first half and we are the Millwall bogey team. I like LCs building the team with youth in the championship and would prefer to see that than expensive old guys playing with half interest. However losing often ruins the whole week for me and it must be the same for the players. This losing story has to stop and LC is the component that needs changing.

    • Chris W says:

      Record v Millwall is promising. lost – 9, drawn: – 12, won: – 20.Millwall have not beat us since 10 Apr 1996 when they ran out 2-1.
      Since then there have been 10 league meetings of which 4 have been draws, there has not been a 0-0 draw since 1993 in 34 league games there have been 99 goals scored at an average of 2.9 per game.
      Blues did the double last season 4-0 at St Ans the last game we won during 2013/14 campaign and 2-3 in March. Sadly, none of the 6 (Murphy scored twice) goalscorers are with the club any longer
      KRO+DNM

  • dave mann says:

    we tend to do well at millwall so any excuses for a defeat tonight however it happens weather were beaten by an own goal, a dodgy penalty or a refereeing decision is not exceptable to me or most blues fans who go week in week out, its no good putting in great first half displays if the second half displays are absolute dire and pathetic so lets go out tonight and play for two halfs and maybe just maybe we might win a game to make it 2 wins all season when it should have been atleast 5 or 6 so lets get our heads together and get the job done properly. KRO.

  • DoctorD says:

    Milwall 3 Blues 0

  • discopete says:

    Doesn’t matter what team goes out if Millwall score our heads will drop. There is a lack of the heart missing from the team that we had last year.
    Nonetheless I will be there tonight cheering them on. KRO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Surely the team must know now, that they’re playing for the manager’s future. It’ll be interesting to see which of the players will run through a brick wall for him…. and which ones won’t.

    • Chris W says:

      I get the impression they wouldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag for him.
      I know people say that they have never heard a player say a bad thing about him, but you never heard Ferdinand criticise Fergie until he left the club.
      I feel something is wrong within the club, forget BIHL and the financial situation, something within the playing and coaching staff. Like the coaches I can’t put my finger on it, but then I am not at the training ground every day but there is an air around the ground, the players.
      KRO+DNM

      • StaffsBlue says:

        If they’re not willing to fight for Clark, they at least should fight for the supporters… if not, they don’t deserve to be paid.

        • Chris W says:

          Maybe they want LC out as much as we do, but they should fight for their own pride and in principal those who put their hard earned cast towards their wages… The supporters.
          KRO+DNM

      • Tony says:

        First thing I would do is tell Watson to get a shave,he looks like hes just rolled in from a night on the tiles.

      • Tms blues says:

        Have you put together the after match comments from Clark over the last 2 seasons if you put the whole lot together you still couldn’t find a logical sentence worth any value to the team.Our manager and his cronies don’t have sufficient ability between them to sort out our on field problems because the obvious problem is themselves. The sooner they go the better!

    • steve says:

      I doubt any of them will.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    On the SSN website: “Danny Murphy, Brian McBride and Niall Quinn will help Fulham’s search for their new manager.”

    I wonder who would organise the search for Lee Clark’s successor? (this should be good)

  • richard di says:

    Is liam daish working ?
    The 3rd division days with him were great

  • Stevie W says:

    Just thought I would post that the accounts to June 30th have been published by BIHL

  • steve says:

    you can watch the game om wizwig.com

  • steve says:

    We’re playing well.Can’t believe Neil Mellor said it was against the run of play.

  • Chas says:

    Please someone, lock Clark out of the Dressing room.

  • Tms blues says:

    We are 2-0 up at half time and bbc website makes it look one sided in our favour. Only bad news is that Clark might keep his job! Or is this the team playing for someone else’s benefit ? Oh and Where is demy gray ? Is this another stroke of Clark tactical logic to drop him from the squad, has he already gone to Liverpool, or is he injured?

  • Chris W says:

    Well that was an exciting 1st 45. Now can we see the game out.
    We have players on the bench who have the experience to bring on and shut Millwall out without dropping deep. We have to keep playing the high line, Koby is playing well with Donaldson.
    Lets keep it up, don’t think it will help LC, just prolong the agony.
    KRO+DNM

  • steve says:

    Why won,t Randolph just clear everybody out.?

  • Chas says:

    I told you to lock the fecking door.

  • steve says:

    They weren’t in it first half. Now it’s all them.

  • Chas says:

    I am not watching the match, so, how is it that Millwall have committed 11 fouls to our 8 but we have had three booked to their none ? Over to you ,Steve.

  • steve says:

    Fuller just come on.

  • Chas says:

    We are fe4cked now then. Fuller does well against us.

  • steve says:

    Keeps freezing now.i think we,ve gone 2 up front.we can’t get out of our own half.

  • steve says:

    Tbf they’re not creating much considering the pressure.

  • steve says:

    Game over. i hope

  • steve says:

    Well done Blues.Played really well first half but same as usual 2nd half.3 points in the bag though.

    • Chris W says:

      On the first half performance can’t complain and deserved our 2-0 lead.
      But what the heck happens in the dressing room at half time, totally different team, once again we soit back and concede an early goal, maybe Millwall deserved a point but we held on and sneaked a third goal which was against the run of play.
      Well Done the lads, lets have more of the same at Charlton Saturday.
      KRO+DNM

  • Chas says:

    Well done the Blue Lads. Tatts mentioned the great support from the Fans in his match report, they deserve the praise. Hope they al get back safely.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Selection, spot on. Tactics, spot on. Substitutions, spot on.

    We had a bit of a rocky 10-15 minutes after they scored, but we regrouped and started to play our way back into the game. Millwall’s only tactic second half, was to bomb balls high down the middle.. they even moved their centre back up front for most of the second half. Our only problem was Edgar, with a bandaged head, couldn’t head the ball, I think that was the reason for all the high balls.

    Blimey… even Broadhurst reckoned we were comfortable in most areas. Must have choked him to say that. lol

    • Shirley Blue says:

      All down to managerial brilliance tonight then – nothing to do with the players. So when we win its all thanks to Clark and when we lose its down to the players. I am always pleased when we win but the downside is more time wasted until we get rid of him.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I can’t see anywhere that it says it’s all down to Clark’s brilliance. I never even mentioned him. Reading between the lines must be a special talent.

        I said, “Selection, spot on. Tactics, spot on. Substitutions, spot on.” Which part of that is untrue? For all we know, it could have been Watson’s selection.

        • Chris W says:

          A good result but all it does is paints over the cracks, as someone said earlier tonight.
          Any win has to be applauded, we need to build on it now. I thought young Koby was the difference tonight, I did say he could be useful linking up with Thomas, but tonight it worked with Donaldson. Just hope his injury isn’t too serious.
          Will LC come out and say the players did the job tonight or will he take all the plaudits for himself?
          KRO+DNM

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Just watched Lee Clark’s interview and he said Ian Holloway told him before the game that there were premier league scouts there to watch our young players. He’s hoping they stay away come January. I think he might be in for a disappointment…. BIHL need to balance the books again.

          • Chris W says:

            I wonder how much of the £12M will be contributed to the footballing side or is that these convertible bonds?
            They ain’t going to get that back from the selling the whole team never mind a few kids.
            KRO+DNM

        • mark says:

          keep in there staffs they love it :)

        • steve says:

          Who is responsible for Selection,tactics and substitutions then ?

    • Agent McLeish says:

      Agree with you summary. Good win for the Blues and well done to LC and the team. Shirley’s comments are a bit defensive as some supporters like her find it hard to give a bit of credit where it’s due. It’s also clear that we’ve had some good performances this season but have lost out due to poor referees or bad luck. I am still of the opinion that with the resources and constant sales of our better players that no manager would be performing better than LC, maybe we’d be in an even worse situation. No matter who our manager is our club will never flourish and only slide under the ownership of the BIHL idiots.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    I note that BIHL lost HKD 158,101,000 for the year ending 30th June 2014.
    This converts to a loss of £12.65m.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Some people are wondering if that loss has contravened the FFP rules. I wouldn’t have a scoobies about that.

    • Chris W says:

      Since BCFC is the only company in BIHL’s portfolio I assume that the Blues accounts will show similar reading.
      KRO+DNM

    • Tms blues says:

      However since June and the massive cut in salaries and expenditure I suspect they are on a break even budget. Though if Clark’s home performances don’t improve the forecast income will start to show as a negative variance v the budget. It should however mean that Bihl can continue to run the club without investment for years providing we don’t lose league status of course.!

  • Art Watson says:

    It depends on the charges made by BIH to run the club.

    I.e…..PP’s fees and office overheads ect.

    Great result last night which hopefully will not save Clarks job

    • Tms blues says:

      Good result for points but if it saves Clark’s job then it’s a bad result. We need crowd pleasing home form and we haven’t seen that since hughton left! Clark almost did it again last night at half time…. Look at the performance difference after the break we just weren’t in the game and except for the very good goal had hardly a shot. First half we had a dozen! Clark is too tactically inept and most likely too emotionally unstable to select and motivate a team crying out for clear leadership.

  • mark says:

    A big well done to the manager and players you didn’t buckle in the lion den, you again turned them into pussycats……….this is there we need to springboard upwards, and quell the dwindling negative supporters…………..lol

  • mark says:

    just on players sales possibly, i bet Liverpool were hoping to watch gray again….obviously they want him playing a bit before making a formal bid in January or to match anyone else who try to bid??/

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Just a few cliche’s for the fans who want Clark out……”Better the Devil you Know”……”The Grass isn’t always Greener on the Other side of the Hill”………”Look before you Leap”…….”You don’t Know what you’ve got till it’s Gone”.

  • neil says:

    pann u gone hope this is the start of better things to come

  • dave mann says:

    lets not get carried away guys, this is a team we always do well against at the new den.
    three good goals and cotterill played a blinder, at 1-2 when they scored just after half time i feared the worst but fair play to them for being proffesional and seing out the three points but it will all mean nothing if we loose at charlton so lets not go overboard at a win unless we can back it up with three points saturday……dont get to exited because i/we have seen it all before and it changes nothing on the clark factor one bit…he has to go!!!! KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I think that, at last, the players took in what Clark has been saying to them.. “When you take the lead, the other team is going to come at you hard. You need to stand firm, stick to the plan and see the game out.”

      Let’s face it…. hands up who thought they were going to cave in again after Millwall scored? I know I did.. so I was absolutely chuffed for the lads that they stood up and were counted. Credit where it’s due.

      • dave mann says:

        thats the shinning light staffs from last night but it cant be a one off we have to go again saturday at charlton and take the lead and keep it and then maybe just maybe we might have seen the light….. i bloody hope so!! KRO.

      • Chas says:

        Only trouble with that Staffs is that tats said last night that Clark was screaming at them to play further up the field and they ignored him, so it appears that they don’t listen to him. Still, nice win so bits and bobs are not worth arguing over, just enjoy the result.

        • Chris W says:

          That has been the problem this season, we start playing high up the field, score, then drop back, it happened last night and if Charlton had had a little more luck in front of goal it would have been a different story.
          KRO+DNM

      • Chris W says:

        Have to admit Staffs I thought the same after the break.
        It is a good win and confidence booster but it doesn’t change my feelings towards Clark, he has to go.
        Millwall games have always been high scoring games of late so goals were always on the cards, just glad we scored more than they did.
        There were some good performances last night and I thought Koby was excellent, his loan spell seems to have given him added confidence.
        KRO+DNM

  • Raymondo says:

    It did look at the start of the second half like “here we go again” but they rallied this time. So well done to the team but still reserved about LC We’ll See. I hear the scousers are sniffing around Bell. It’s going to be a case of “money talks” again I fear. But Blues need the money and as usual will be take a fraction of his worth. Still, that’s the way it goes. It wouldn’t go to LC to buy players anyway, just to those in Hong Kong.

  • Tony says:

    Good result not surprised, we are Millwalls bogey team as has been said its papering over the cracks the Greek guy knows what needs to be done, let him get it done.

  • Agent McLeish says:

    Pannu gone – good riddance and time for celebrations.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    It’s ok saying sack Clark… but there aren’t many realistic candidates out there. The likes of Pulis and Zola and their ilk are priced way out of our league.. and names like Rowett and Yates etc are a massive risk at this level. Are you willing to risk our Champs status with guys like that? I know I’m not. And if things did go tits up with one of those in charge, we wouldn’t be able to afford another pay off… so we’d be stuck with them.

    If Clark goes, they have to make sure the next incumbent is spot on. Who, within BIHL would you trust to make that choice?

    • Chas says:

      But you said before the Season started, that we should give him ten matches to prove himself and he hasn’t improved and we all knew our predicament then, so nothing has changed where a new manager is concerned.

      • Chas says:

        From the Mail.
        There have been rumours swirling that Blues would make some kind of announcement on manager Lee Clark once Pannu’s future had been clarified, because of recent results.
        But that was never the case; the manager carries on in his position.
        He is now formally answerable to Pavlakis.
        However, the two men have already built up a good relationship and understanding since the former finance and investment banking specialist .
        ——————————-

        So lets all settle down now then, eh :-)

        • mark says:

          also supported clark getting players at the closed season, when all round were losing their heads, clark gone, wont be here at the start of the season………sorry just got back on my chair, must stop lol..

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I think that, if you read back through the earlier blogs, I said that if we’re in or around the bottom 3 by Xmas, I’ll agree that it’s time for changes. I do believe it was maybe dave mann or ChrisW who said 10-12 games and I said fair enough if that’s what they thought. I am accepting that people want Clark out and, because of that, I’m (quite naturally) wondering about what happens if he goes, but I haven’t changed my mind on my Xmas comment.

        • StaffsBlue says:

          I think we’ll have played around 22/23 games by Xmas… and we will have a much better view of how the season is going by then and there will be no excuses about the players settling in and gelling by then. Also, if things aren’t going that well, there’s still plenty of time to get a new manager in, sort out the squad and have a good second half of the season.

          • mark says:

            imo i believe that BIL will do nothing in regarding to Clark, again imo they will assess or judge him at the end of the season, regardless of what some so- call think they should do……all thoughts are my opinion……

          • Art Watson says:

            Staffs,

            Clark should go now but it’s looks like he’s staying.

            Where’s the evidence that would indicate that Clark will get it right before Xmas-my evidence is there for all to see 10 points from 10 games and a shocking home record.This is on top of his appalling record over the past couple of seasons.Under no circumstances should he be given the opportunity to manage this great club until Xmas he’s a complete liability and the club will pay the price for not getting rid of him. A new manager coming in after Xmas would be high risk and why should anyone give Clark anymore time?Hes had his opportunity and failed abysmally.

            I think the win last night Staffs has given you false hopes and the owners another excuse not to sack him -but they don’t care who runs the team -they have no interest whatsoever.There main objective is to recoup their losses at any cost and do you honestly think they will not sell our better players when the debt is £12m.

            The official statement is yet another Black Day in the history of these morons.

          • dave mann says:

            ime not going to let one win change my point of view on lee clark BUT if he can put another win on the board against charlton then beat bolton at home and pick up a draw at blackburn and beat bournemouth at home then that will be 5 wins 5 draws and 4 defeats and have 20 points from 14 games and ONLY then will i be satisfied that weve turned the corner and he can carry on the good work but thats for everyone to see if thats a reality under the current situation. KRO.

          • Chris W says:

            I’d like to see it sooner, then a new manager can assess what he has, get them use to a new system and add in the window if need be.
            Waiting till January you have little time to settle or adapt and most managers will already have their targets lined up and budgets in place.
            I know… we won’t have a budget, or will we now PP has gone?
            KRO+DNM

        • Chris W says:

          I did say we should be looking a 10 to 12 games and access the situation.
          Comparing the same point last season: 2013 W 3 D 1 L 6 P 10
          2014 W 2 D 4 L 4 P 10
          So we are virtually the same, averaging 1 point a game , can LC take us up a level, can he improve on last season, so far the answer is no for me.
          Last season we stayed up with 44 points an average of .95 per game
          can you see another two teams wore than us, Fulham will get it right they have too many quality players, Bolton can improve and probably will, that leaves Wigan, Huddersfield and Rotherham.
          I think it will be another close finish come May but would like to think we can be safe long before then and, IMO, I don’t think LC will be the manager to see us through this time around.
          Who knows it might be Bolton needing the points when we visit.
          KRO+DNM

    • Chris W says:

      Football management always has been a gamble, look at Moyes, very good at Everton but never given the tools at Man U,Brian Clough, worked wonders at Derby and Forest but never stood a chance a Leeds.
      LC has had more chances but still gets the basics wrong. Last night things went well against a team that hasn’t beat us in nearly 20 years, lets see how he does at Charlton where the spoils are more evenly set: won: – 19 drawn: – 19 lost: – 22
      There are some half decent managers who would relish the job a Blues, whether we can afford them is one thing, can we afford the risk of relegation?
      KRO+DNM

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I don’t go for all this rubbish about “we always win at so-and-so” or “we never get anything against them.” If you take notice of the stats, you’re beaten mentally before a ball is kicked. New year, new season, new players. No excuse for history to keep repeating.

        As for managers, yes, there are some decent managers, but mostly, a) we couldn’t afford them and b) no manager in his right mind would want to work for our owners… especially with both hands tied behind their back. Which leaves ones who are maybe desperate to get back into the game and use us as a stepping stone or lower league managers.

        If we attracted a decent manager, who everyone thought was a great appointment… I, for one, would be shocked.

        • mark says:

          staffs as you know always one for sticking their head above the trenches lol

          Frustration is a horrible thing, so its easy to mark people out for blame, again still under strict guild-lines from HK REGARDING WAGES/ type quality of player blues can zoom in on. For me clark is still working his nuts and bolts off. A section on here for their own pure gratification dislike Clark full stop.
          I hope the Millwall game is a turning point for the players not the manager, that THEY sort out their self belief in winning matches.

  • dave mann says:

    thats the 64 million dollar question but thats why its worth 64 million because it as to be the right appointment. KRO.

  • blue lizard says:

    I will take the Positive out of the Arrogant Pannu being severed by the club(would have preferred severed by the ba**s!)..lets hope it’s the first step to Others going too!!…

  • Art Watson says:

    Mark,

    I seriously believe you need some kind of therapy- sooner rather than later.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Sorry mark, but I have to agree on this one. Anyone who thinks Yeung and Pannu have done a good job, has to be suffering from 50 shades of delusion. lol

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Art, one win hasn’t given me false hope at all. Give me some credit mate. I still think Clark can turn it around.. It all depends how quickly he can get the team to perform consistently. That’s the crucial bit. I’ve not changed my opinion on that.

    What I do concede, is that with the fans almost completely against him now, he’s probably a dead man walking. That makes it natural to speculate on who might replace him, but that’s all I’m doing, speculating. I’m still hoping that Clark stays on and gets it right. I know most people won’t like that and that’s fine. Wouldn’t be much of a blog if we all had the same opinion. ;-)

    • Chris W says:

      To be fair Staffs, I think Clark has been a dead man walking for some time, he seems to have the knack of turning up a decent result at the right time.
      Two wins at home last season would have got even Wenger sacked, we were saved by our away record and hopefully we will have another decent run, but he has to get the results at home, we have only managed one win in 23 games that must end, can’t say it is psychological now as we have a virtual new team with only a handful of the old school.
      Every season I start with a new page, hope and vigour, 10 games in, 12 with cup games and I am not being thrilled, I will not stop my support, I will cheer like the rest, I don’t agree with booing but I will vent my anger, good job I don’t have a cat… :-)
      The missus knows when to ask or not, how we went and its not easy living with a family who support Forest.
      In all fairness I think LC has had it hard, changing teams mid season, rebuilding with very little money and unable to compete with wages.
      He knew the score and continues to do a thankless job, but can he really improve on last season, I think not.
      But Hey!, It’s only my opinion, as is everyone else on here I hope he can turn things around and make me eat “Humble Pie” and I hate pastry.
      KRO+DNM

  • tttpaule says:

    I am still laughing my bo***cks off at the comments about giving Clark a chance, can some of you remind me how long he’s been at our club & how much progress we have made in all that time, people either have short memories or they surly don’t go down to see his poor decision making & mostly rubbish football. We won a game last night & the Clark lovers are out but anyone who watched knows we were lucky in the end, what good is a team that can only give you 60 min max. The manager hasn’t got a clue how to motivate the team & he is tactically inept , all you Clark lovers if he is here all season we will be playing division 1 football next year. Clark needs to go now to give us any chance because a proper manager will take time to sort out Clarks mess.

  • Art Watson says:

    Couldn’t agree more and like you I can’t get my head around the Clark followers but obviously repect their opinion.And as for waiting till Xmas before getting rid of him this would be ludicrous.

  • dave mann says:

    i agree with both tttpaule and Art that clarks had is time and a new manager is a definite if he doesent continue with 3 wins and a draw in the next 4 games. KRO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I’m a Clark supporter… not a follower or a lover. Same as I was a McLeish supporter and a Hughton supporter. I also don’t rubbish or ridicule other people’s opinions. I have more respect for other posters. But that’s just me I suppose.

    • dave mann says:

      its what makes us blues fans better than everyone else that we can have different opinions and still end up on the same side and respecting what others say……..well most the time………..we all want to see a team pushing for better things and giving 100%, that’s all we can ask/ KRO.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I agree dave. I just think that, having rebuilt the squad for the umpteenth time, 10 games is a little too early to judge. It’s not as thought we’re playing crap, or getting hammered like the last couple of seasons. It’s been fine lines every game. A miss here, a bad mistake here, a bad ref here, there and everywhere. Of the games I’ve seen so far, I’ve seen better football than at any time last season. It’s a work in progress, but… if it has to be another manager who takes it on, so be it. He’ll have the same support from me that Clark has had.

        • dave mann says:

          agree staffs, fine margins and a load of bad luck as given us 10 points when we should have had atleast 19 from most of the games ive been to but ime just beginning to think thay clarks luck is aoo bad. KRO.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            It’s what I’ve said all along… I don’t think he’s a bad manager, but he’s certainly an unlucky one. We’ll have to wait and see if his luck holds out. One thing’s for certain, our first half performances have been Top 6… our second half performances bottom 6. We just need to something extra to tip the balance. Time will tell.

        • Raymondo says:

          Can’t see a new manager coming to Stans with the present situation. He’d have to be out of his mind. If they sack LC it will be to promote Watson is my guess. KRO regardless!

      • Chris W says:

        That about sums it up Dave, players giving 100% and nothing less.
        As for the supporters, OP has given us all a voice and the majority respect each others views, even if we don’t agree with them.
        If we all said the same it would be pretty boring but I look forward to my OP fix.
        KRO+DNM

  • blue lizard says:

    Panos Pavlakis follows Peter Pannu into the hot seat??? seems your initials have to be PP as a qualification…….watch out for Penelope feckin Pitstop next!!

  • Great result last night. I,m not being a kill joy here , but is it not just papering over the cracks ? Pannu has gone,but we are still none the wiser at board level about what is going on. KRO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    This division is crazy. Wolves 1-3 Huddersfield and Fulham 4-0 Bolton are two results from tonight.

  • I mean,we,ve been bemoaning a lack of quality balls going into the box and creating chances for the strikers,but 2 sublime crosses went into the box against Fulham,and 2 clear headers missed. We may not have the most naturally gifted players at our disposal,but its those words self belief. David Cotteril came from Doncaster,look how,s he,s applied himself of late. ?

    • StaffsBlue says:

      That’s been the story of our season so far, excellent chances being created… and missed. There should always be at least 2 players in the box for every cross, one between the sticks and one at the far post. We did it the other night for the first goal… if Donaldson had missed it, Arthur was right behind him. That’s how it should be.

      • Richard Granfield says:

        Staffs…….I am afraid it is a fact of life that strikers such as Donaldson and Thomas who have plied their trade in the lower leagues are by definition going to miss chances. If they didn’t then they would be in the Premier League.
        I hope their confidence levels are lifted by their goals on Tuesday and that they will miss fewer chances as a consequence.

        • StaffsBlue says:

          Yes Richard, that’s fair enough… but we’re not talking about worldies here, we’re talking simple chances from 3 or 4 yards. It doesn’t matter what it goes in off, foot, head, chest, ar$e… even their crown jewels. I don’t care, just get anything on it. You have to make that commitment to get to the ball. My main criticism of Donaldson, is that sometimes he’s a little bit too laid back and lacks that anticipation. But, I still think he’s our best striker since King.

  • dave mann says:

    as ive said yesterday Charlton will be another massive challenge as there unbeaten in the league and flying so if we go there with the same attitude and keep going for 90 mins then a ” shock” might be on the cards because last nights results prove that top can beat bottom and bottom can beat top so lets have a go and not make millwall a one off win followed by 2 defeats and 2 draws and be right back where we started with a new manager a certainty……..and relegation a possibility.
    KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      At times, especially our first performances, we’ve been as good as anything I’ve seen in this division. We just need to apply that for 90 minutes instead of 45. The Millwall result will, at the very least, show them that they CAN do it. Like you said, if they apply themselves like they did the other night, I see no reason why we can’t go and end Charlton’s unbeaten run. Let’s make that first half count, get a goal or two in front and keep playing a high game in the second half.

  • 2 free headers ? , Anybody at any level should have a least scored one of those headers. ? Each one was set up on a plate ?

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Demarai Gray fit for the Charlton game. So far, 1,134 tickets sold out of 1,535 allocation.

    Lee Novak and Neil Eardley will be back after the international break, but Jonathan Spector is out for 3 months.

  • dave mann says:

    cant make it Saturday due to work commitments but will be there in spirit and listening to radio commentary, just for the sake of it ide go,
    Randolph
    caddis, edgar,robinson, grounds
    cotterill, davis, riley, gray
    Donaldson, Arthur ( he had a good game at millwall.)
    just my team nobody elses but I don’t think it will be far of. KRO.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Swap Hall for Robinson and you’d get no argument with me on your team dave. I think that team could pose Charlton a few problems.

    • Chris W says:

      I thought Koby had an excellent game and definitely worth sticking with if he is fit.
      I’d like to see him with Thomas, who, for me, is technically better than Donaldson and puts himself about more.
      My choice would be Packwood for Robbo as I think Charlton will pose a different threat and Robbo is short on height and pace.
      KRO+DNM

  • Art Watson says:

    The Blues Trust have published Dans Webair report on the Small Heath Allience site.It makes very depressing reading.According to Dan-tthe board have not had serious discussions to sell the club and he doesn’t expect anything to happen within the next 6-12 months.

    It would therefore appear that the bid rumours were deliberately trotted out to entice season ticket holders to renew their season tickets.Well it seems to have worked and we are now stuck with these morons for at least another 6 months.The only pleasing aspect of the report indicates that Clarks days are numbered.

    If you get a chance to read the report do so it makes interesting reading and exposes the real mess the club is in and the future looks grim.

  • John says:

    It’s been very quiet on here the past few days, how come we haven’t had any updates regarding the board meeting.

    • almajir says:

      a) I had the small matter of a 6,000 mile flight to deal with
      b) I had the small matter of catching up 10 days worth of work.

      Sunday, I’ll be writing up my analysis

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Bolton will have a new manager by the time we play them. I wonder if we will too?

  • dave mann says:

    i wouldn’t mind a swap to be honest…..but then I only want gary rowett to be honest!!! KRO.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I’d love to know what is/was the biggest debt ever incurred by a Championship club. Not one relegated from the Prem, but one chasing the Prem dream. The sad thing is, it’s all about the money these days… the football comes a very poor second. They say ‘speculate to accumulate,’ but the only thing you seem to accumulate these days, is massive debts. It’s all very sad.

    • Chris W says:

      As much as I would love to see the Blues in the premiership is the price worth it?
      It is a very fine line between success and failure but the cost is enormous, the price to get there is astronomical but to actually consolidate is like playing roulette, one bad signing can send you plummeting down to battle it out with the minnows
      I think Man U will be struggling with the likes of QPR before long, even their money well is drying up.
      At the moment they can afford to spend because of their overall fan base, but if these latest crop don’t shape up where will they be then?
      I do believe that the FA should distribute the money from TV deals more evenly throughout the divisions.
      KRO+DNM

      • StaffsBlue says:

        The sad thing is, clubs spend a fortune getting up to the Prem… with the sole target then of 17th place year on year. If that’s not all about the money, I don’t know what is.

        • Chris W says:

          What did they say, Leicester promotion was worth £160m?
          But what is relegation worth?
          We may have slid down the pole but I don’t think we are in that much financial mire, BIHL are, but to be fair to PP and our strict wages, I don’t think the club are anywhere near the suggested £12m debt. Be interested to see the clubs audit when it is produced in December, if it is as bad then we can expect a transfer embargo which wont go down well with supporters, manager or any prospective buyer.
          KRO+DNM

      • bluenoserob says:

        How is Man uniteds money well drying up? They have just signed the biggest kit deal in world sport .it alone is worth more than most premier league clubs get in Tv rights.So they have missed the champions league cash for a year or two ,but their turnover still increases year on year.They may have issues on the pitch but money wise they are in a league of their own.

        • Chris W says:

          They have a debt of £1.6 billion, which under FFP rulings is unsustainable and unless they go and win trophies the owners will be looking to sell up.
          KRO+DNM

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Blackpool beat Cardiff tonight… to dump Bolton on the bottom. After some home fans staged a planned walkout in the 53rd minute in protest against the club’s owners, Blackpool took the lead 11 minutes later lol.


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