Often Partisan

Insipid Blues Lose to Hibs in Flat Friendly

Birmingham City went down 1-0 to Hibernian at Easter Road this afternoon in a very flat performance. Hibs, who put out a virtual second string side, didn’t have the lion’s share of possession but looked threatening in front of goal and it was no surprise when James Keatings finally broke the deadlock.

There were a few bright spots for Blues. Jonathan Spector started the game at right back in preference to Paul Caddis and actually looked decent, going as far as to rampage down the flank in the second half, skinning a couple of players before playing in Diego Fabbrini.

Jacques Maghoma looked threatening with the ball and was beating his defender regularly while Reece Brown made another good cameo off the bench, chasing down players to win the ball back and almost creating a goal with a delightful pass to Donaldson.

However, all too often Blues were flat. While they did have the ball they didn’t move it around quick enough and the front line was very static, making it hard to create chances. It took 44 minutes for Blues to register a shot on target and all too often moves would break down due to too many passes in the build-up.

Viv Solomon-Otabor looked lost on the wing, showing just how much Blues need to bring in a winger as cover/competition for Maghoma and David Cotterill. Donaldson looked like he was labouring up front while James Vaughan sadly continues to look like he will never score in a Blues shirt. Koby Arthur came on for the last few minutes and looked brighter than I’ve seen of late, but he’s got some way to go to fulfil the potential that he has shown in the past.

In fairness, Blues might have been a little bit tired from the long travel to come to Edinburgh and with their hotel having a fire alarm going off at 3am it’s not hard to see that the players might not have been at 100%.

While it is easy to read too much into this kind of game and performance I will say that it makes me think we could be in for a tough season. Gary Rowett was quick to confirm in the post-match press conference that he was working hard to bring in players but as he’s always said they have to be the right players for the team; I agree with him that players who are going to make a difference will be coveted by many clubs and as such will be hard to acquire.

As time ticks on the pessimist in me wonders how close to the end of the transfer window will we get before we end up making panic signings; I think I’m not the only one who needs a little reaffimation of faith that we can bring in the required players to make the team stronger and able to compete.

Blues travel to Port Vale on Wednesday for the next warm up game and I think Rowett will change things around a little bit to maybe give other players like David Davis a chance to press their claims for a starting spot against Cardiff.

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120 Responses to “Insipid Blues Lose to Hibs in Flat Friendly”

  • BlueScribe says:

    Hopefully D Cotterill will be back by Wednesday!?
    Getting anxious now

  • StaffsBlue says:

    We know what we’re going to get with Donaldson… but then, so does everyone else. He fights and scraps for everything, but is too easily shackled by centre backs. Then when he does get the odd chance, he vblows it. Vaughan I think is running out of chances to prove he can score even one single goal.

    I’d try Jack Storer up front on Wednesday in a 4-1-4-1 system. I’d play Davis as the holding midfielder with strict orders to patrol in front of the back 4, with Tesche and Fabbrini pulling the strings in the middle and Cotterill and Maghoma out wide.

    Can’t do any worse.

    • ChrisG says:

      Staffs, sadly it doesn’t matter what system “we” would play, tactically mr Rowett doesn’t have a clue. I know these are only pre season games but the idea for me is to get some momentum going into the new season, or maybe even try new things. This season is gonna be tougher than ever & I fear we are going to seriously struggle. The transfer market for us looks dead, players for certain positions haven’t been brought in AGAIN & we look seriously void of any ideas going forwards. I would love to see Brucie come back to the blues but sadly that won’t happen.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        Our team is crying out for something different. It’s Mr Rowett’s job to provide that. So far, he’s failed on that count.. but he still has time to come up with an answer.

      • zxcv says:

        ChrisG, if I may say that is the best post I have read of yours mate, it say it all for me even the Brucie bit and your right he wouldn’t` entertain us now unless we gave him 20 odd million. We are just going backwards at a pace now and Rowett has not improved us one ounce, I honestly can`t see anything else but a struggle this season unless a miracle in the transfer market happens. good post chris.

      • KinverBlue says:

        I can’t help but agree with Chris, Rowett isn’t tactically sound and hasn’t been since he took over.

        Another 10th place finish – at best – this season, hopefully with the takeover complete, and perhaps a change of management thereafter.

  • Stan Moye says:

    It all seems a waste of time, tired from travelling, fire alarms going off. Doesn’t sound like they were inspired to perform either by the 700 hundred or so Bluenoses. Back in the day of good old Roger Hynd those sort of antics would have put fire in his belly. Not the worlds greatest footballer, but certainly the sort you’d want as your wing man in a battle. We need additions and quickly, two weeks to go and we seem clueless at times.

  • Mickey07 says:

    Tired??ffs.

  • edd77 says:

    STRIKER NEEDED ,,,!!!!!!for me Donaldson would be a great league 1 striker , think he’s not up to this level now

    • ChrisG says:

      Totally agree edd, I said that last season too!!

      • zxcv says:

        the system and the service is total rubbish. all strikers miss goals even sitters Big bob latchford missed them from under the Bar, Donaldson missed a good half a dozen in his 16 goal season but he was getting great service and we didn`t bat an eye lid of his missed chances because he was still knocking them in as well as missing them. Now he doesn`t get the service but no one looks at that cotterill for example has been almost non existent compared to two seasons ago and the don has suffered for it. Plus he is two years older and Rowett should have known he can`t keep that work rate up season after season but what has he done to rectify it? Correct NOTHING

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Blues scored 27 league goals in 23 league games at home last season and with the exception of the Bristol City and Ipswich Town games which produced 7 goals the entertainment value was pretty non-existent.
    From today’s performance, described as “turgid” by the BM it looks like another season with home goals at a premium and attractive attacking football scarce.
    I have never said this before, but if Blues don’t give home fans value for money next season then we have to find a manager that can.
    Brentford manager Dean Smith gives their fans plenty of entertainment and good football as an example.

    • zxcv says:

      That’s a good shout Richard. we need something new …..soon a bad start to this season and its going to be over for us imo as this is a tough League this year

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    Absolutely concerned I’m going to be bored to death at home yet again

  • Blue Eyed Boy says:

    Alarm bells being recognised by some of the above. I have had concerns for awhile and now with Wolves,Villa and shortly WBA having mega wealthy owners it is obvious we are not in this “league of Rich” and unable to compete on or off the pitch. Is there a scenario whereby TT are not in a position to be able to compete with the levels of investment being/or about to be made by these owners of our WM rivals(and which I can appreciate and respect if they are not of course),and are looking to sell the club on asap to a “Big Hitter”? If this was remotely possible then lets hope they can move things on swiftly,and whilst at it, grabbing Steve Bruce before Wolves do and bring him in as Director of Football with GR learning from him.What do you think guys?

    • Richard Granfield says:

      B.E.B………I take your point regarding other clubs in the Championship having greater financial clout, but my point was about tactics, formations etc.
      Gary seems to believe that defensive tactics and a counter attacking strategy is the only way of keeping Blues in the Championship. He may be correct, but it doesn’t make for exciting viewing.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I’ve just watched the interview with Gary Rowett on You Tube and, I have to say, he doesn’t instill much confidence to honest. It’s all ifs, buts and maybes. I’ve always supported our managers 100% and I will now… but jeez, it’s becoming harder.

    • zxcv says:

      We need change Staffs because nothing is improving it feels stale already mate and as I said above a bad start and the seasons going to be over for us, to many good teams this year. Ithink we will miss Jon Toral real bad, I am finding myself hoping already that there are three worse teams.

  • Dan Hickman says:

    I know everyone always looks back with rose tinted glasses, but I feel sorry for the young fans down at Stans these days, surely they will never look back at this current situation with the passion and love that I can remember, the early 90s through to 2003. I saw relegation, promotions, cup finals, good players, awful players and rode the rollercoaster of emotions that came with it all. I wouldn’t trade you ONE of those games for a 2016/17 season ticket. I love this club as much as anyone but it has lost something I don’t think anyone can put their finger on, and for all the social media BS it and it’s players have never seemed so disconnected from the fans. Maybe it’s just that none of them really have been on this journey with us since Gold/Sullivan sold up, or maybe we just want Steve Claridge and Dugarry up front, Jon Mccarthy on one wing, Stan on the other and Brian Hughes in the middle. Benno in goal and Rowett at RB leaving the transfers up to Barry Fry. Whichever it is, there’s nothing we can do about it. Oh and if anyone can convince Daish to put his boots back on that would be alright as well

    • zxcv says:

      The good days are gone mate and I can`t ever see them coming back, I am from the late 50s and 60s and the fans today are a totally different breed.. We were not raised to accept what is acceptable these days and that is understandable. Its just the way it is they have never known much different or real good players as you pointed out.

  • Blue Eyed Boy says:

    Dan, I agree with some of the past players you mention but more importantly I picked up on yur words “…it has lost something” and that’s exactly how I see it.None of us true supporters are being negative,yes we have our individual thoughts(and moans&groans) but most are said from the heart and born out of frustrations we have encountered since 2009 when Sullivan&Gold sold the club to..well enough has been said about that already from a wide audience. Something needs to be done quickly or I really so see us struggling to stay in the Championship next season with the very,very limited quality we have(not to mention that we have no real goal scorers that give us confidence..Donaldson,Vaughan,Brock-Madden PLEASE NO,I can see Benitez and co quaking in their boots at such a “goal threat” already!). I rest my case with my earlier comments above in regards to new owners,new manager(or at least a quality Director Of Football over GR) and hope we can restore this once great club back to where it was only a few years ago
    Get Dave Mann down at Wastehills and open up an extenson of his Brixham B&B Empire,and then GR and co wont have to worry about Bacon Butties in dodgy areas,they will have “home cooking” from the DM Van!
    PS: Richard G,again take your point I was trying to extend outside the tactics you had rightly mentioned, to show its a wider concern than just on the pitch

    • Mitchell says:

      Brilliant summing up BEB. Everything stated spot on,

    • Dan Hickman says:

      I don’t think Bruce would want to move ‘upstairs’ yet and I can’t say I blame him. I am up and down like a yo yo at the minute mate, just want the season proper to start. I have been behind every manager until their last match, with the exception of Clark, and I think Rowett has the potential to be a good manager. I don’t think we will slide further down the leagues but I do think that the parachute payment increases will end up with a pool of 10 -12 teams battling relegation from the PL and promotion from the Championship, swapping places between them. Things are getting better at Blues than they have been, but whenever our long term owners come in, they need to sort out communication with the fans, employ a MD that can do the business and start making people feel proud to wear the badge again. That doesn’t come from the PL Or finishing top 6, it comes from feeling like a part of something that is striving to be better, cares about getting better and knows how to do it KRO

      • zxcv says:

        Dan I agree with most of that but I think Rowett is part of the problem and not the solution, and not only in the signings of players. In Fact I find it so hard to agree with anything he says and does, I think he lacks so much to be a big time manager I feel the team lacks motivation I have doubts about his tactical awareness during games the making of good decisions. Hardly a game goes by without someone asking why he did this or why he didn’t`do that, Why did he take the wrong player off, why has he been wasting all of pre season with these split games again what on earth people are asking has he learned from doing that?? I could go on and on and on I ain`t scratched the surface mate .But I do agree with all the rest of your good post.

  • Mitchell says:

    Pre season games have been at best a decent work out. However as many fans are now worried regarding the levels for progress,it has become crystal clear that we are in trouble. GR has known for months what we need and TTA etc also know the situation. Nothing has remotely instilled any confidence in the playing side except for the average below par signings of Tesche and Shotton. We now talk about who should play at RB with Spector challenging Caddis! This just about sums up BCFC at the moment.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Some are advocating a change of manager.. but would that really make a difference. Would another manager be able to get more out of these players? Would a change of tactics make a difference with this squad? Answers on a postcard.

    • Dan Hickman says:

      In a word Staffs, no. As much as people get frustrated by tactical stubborn-Ness, it isn’t our biggest limiting factor. Our biggest limiting factor just now is our budget, whether it’s for fees, wages, scouting or the need to sell off our best players, our budget holds us back more than a loyalty to playing 4 3 2 1. Very rarely is something worth more than the sum of all its parts and you could do the sum for our playing squad on the postage stamp for your postcard!

      What are your thoughts on the feeling at the club just now and the rebuilding that will need to happen in the post Yeung/Pannu years?

      • StaffsBlue says:

        With the time it’s taking to sort it all out, it’s really hard to work up any real enthusiasm about it all tbh. We’ve gone from Delay No More, to Delay A Bit More… and A Bit More… and Another Little Bit More, ad infinitum.

        TTA need to get it all sorted, announce their plans for the future and then we’ll see where we are. Until then, there’s really nothing to get excited about.

      • Andrew says:

        Think I’ve said before but to get back to where we were 6 years ago (yes it’s really that long ago) on our current budgets it will be at least double that again I think. We’ve lost all the gems now we’ve nothing but brock madsen to show for it…

  • Dan Hickman says:

    Can’t argue with that mate. I think our impatience with transfers is really just an extension of our impatience with the takeover. Strange how the desperation with BIH led to a kind of stubborn passion, but the wait for it to be over has created quite a lot of ambivalence, we are a strange bunch us football fans!

  • Bit early to talk about another manager . Gary has a plan . I can see what that plan is about but I don’t exactly see itworking at the moment but with a couple of attacking goalscoring players signed on it will be interesting to see the improvement whilst remembering his players how much they cost in mind ..Gary has to take stock that for blues fans this way of buying players is hard to take ..but we are probably lucky that Gary has done it before .but that’s not gonna stop us criticising him if we think he is wrong when things are not working mind you . we all need to reach the next stage ..

    • StaffsBlue says:

      What is the plan and If he can’t get those couple of attacking goalscoring players, what then? Is there a Plan B, or does he carry on with Plan A as it was last season?

  • Andrew says:

    David Davis always seems the forgotten man. I don’t get it, he drives the team forward and always looks to be positive. I don’t know any wolves fans that were happy when they let him go as he’s got the right attitude. Yet there are others who don’t show these important qualities or are just not good enough and Gary picks them every week! I don’t care about training sessions. You pick the most effective 11. I like rowett but he’s not immune from criticism and looks to have a few fatal flaws.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      It’s called favourites mate. Every manager has them. For instance, how the feck Gleeson has played as many games as he has is beyond me.

    • Dan Hickman says:

      Hear hear bud! Midfield should have a little bite and fire in its belly. Davis wears his heart on his sleeve and let’s his emotion drive and motivate him. Perfect for pulling through bad spells in a game. Blues fans love a bit of passion too and he can really get the crowd behind the team

      • StaffsBlue says:

        That’s what I like about both Davis and Kieftenbeld, they have fire in their bellies. Without either of those two, we have a very soft underbelly when the alternatives are Gleeson, Tesche and Fabbrini.

        • zxcv says:

          This is my point about Rowett it seems every Fan see`s it different to him I wish I could answer why we all want the driving force od Davis we have no engine when he`s out yer he is so reluctant to play him over say Gleeson. I don`t think we have improved that much at all when you take into account we won`t have the fabulous Jon Toral and looks like we will soon be without Cotterill and add the fact that if GR gets his own way we won`t have the wing play of Caddis either, another player he has taken a dislike of.

  • Murph says:

    Totally agree with Andrew as he is one of my favs next to our Dutchman , think Davis still recovering from a knock but has a great attitude and a lot more talent than he’s given credit for .

    • Andrew says:

      My mate said he used to play with him in younger days, he said he used to tear it up dominating games and nobody could get close to him. He definitely has something about him and people don’t really see it I think.

  • Littleblue says:

    Interesting to see a lot on here have given up on Gary rowett. Short memories you have are you forgetting where we was when he came? Now I know it’s opinions and all but what do you all expect he is chasing better quality it’s not his fault he can’t afford some players who might choose to go elsewhere. There is still just under 2 weeks left until first game so let’s just wait and see. Kro

    • zxcv says:

      What has it got to do with where we was ? Its more important where we are going that matters, where we were has long gone mate, you can`t keep living off a honey moon spell, You will end up going backwards like we are if you try to live off your past glories you have to keep moving in this game as standing still is = to going backwards, that’s football mate.

    • Dan Hickman says:

      Not a case of giving up on him mate, I am a fan of him but it is still possible to criticise someone you like, just ask my wife! Seriously though as much as I like Rowett the fact remains that the club and it’s fans are in a sorrel state than they were a few years back

    • Andrew says:

      I’ll never give up on him, he’s a good manager and he’s ours but he does have some criticism to his name, it’s up to him to prove it wrong and dispell any doubt. Like zxcv said he needs to develop into a better man to progress the club.

  • Murph says:

    Even the reporters were off key as watching the hi lights if any lol and b dick of the mail says Morrison play a fantastic long ball to play in maghoma when clearly it was shotton playing a glen hoddle of a pass .rowett said leg weary as working on fitness but what about the attics side of it and please as least give storer and hale a run as who knows unless given a try !?

  • Womboune Blue says:

    I think the bottom line is that this season is going to be very similar to last. We are going to play the same way with the same players and the same tactics. We as supporters have been going on about which players we would like to sign and where the weaknesses in the team are, but does anyone seriously think anything is going to be different this season? We will struggle to score goals again with the way we play and in my opinion, mid table is the best we can hope for. Hope I’m wrong, and I will be at the Cardiff game, but in hope rather than expectation. Kro

  • williammorgan says:

    Until we get players scoring more goals we will never be confident .

  • Walker says:

    So one minute we are going to sign 3-4 players and Rowett has now said a couple in. We needed 2 strikers, a winger and left back at least. Not impressed by excuses about tiredness etc

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I’m sorry, but a few hours on a train and a 3am alarm call are poor excuses. If players are tired and leggy before the season has even started… maybe the training needs reviewing?

  • Murph says:

    That was my thinking surely to tone down the training and go he’ll to leather and build up the confidence and understanding of the players .? Surely they can have a rest tommorow after a good workout ,while the rest of us mere mortals go back to work . Hard life footballers is .

  • Dan Hickman says:

    How did Hughton manage pre season, full season and Europe league? Poor excuse I’m afraid. Hopefully it will be put right on wednesday

  • Stephen Crathorn says:

    No goals again to-day. Don’t like people who complain about Donaldson. Yes, he will have a few bad games but at the end of the day he is still the only recognised goalscorer at the club. We do need a couple more strikers at the club. We have known this for years, yet we still haven’t signed anybody, why? The way we are going on we can only hope for boring 0-0 draws, probably hanging on in most games. It looks as if we have a long long season coming up folks!

  • Lich Blues says:

    I have watched Blues pre-season at Walsall and Hibs. Both were utterly turgid dreary affairs. We look disjointed and poor. Donaldson looks easy to play against and Vaughn just can’t do it. I am losing my enthusiasm for the new season but praying we get a little quality in before the window closes. But like you Dan as every day ticks by I wonder if anyone we sign is going to be a panic signing.

    It could be a long season – oh to be proved badly wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    KRO.

  • John says:

    All this overreaction during pre season is bloody ridiculous; some people are so impatient. I’d rather us wait for a better player than be Clark esque and sign a player a day, his scattergun approach to signings did produce a few gems but there were so many duds amongst them too.

    Would you prefer our squad beefed up with mark duffys, lee novaks, Brian Howard’s and Eric husseklepps? The only duds in our squad now imo are Brock madden, grounds, shinnie and to some extent Vaughan, but I believe Vaughan is trying too hard to score and overthinking everything.

    If we want instant succes than we need to improve every position and that will cost loads, money we haven’t got so we need to be realistic. People forget we do have a good team already and improvements at lb, striker and a pacy winger and I believe we have a great chance at the play offs. I’m prepared to wait.

    • Shirley Blue says:

      I think B-M, Shinnie and Vaughan might well be moved out on loan. I think calling Grounds a dud is being very unfair to a player who has struggled in patches but has been a decent player for us over a couple of seasons. He isn’t what I would describe as a natural left back but his aerial ability has helped so out and if we can get a better left back In then Grounds will be a useful squad player as he can cover a few positions off the bench.

    • almajir says:

      Hughton signed Huseklepp, not Clark :)

  • John says:

    Ask yourselves these questions:

    Does a manager signing players early make him a great/ better manager?
    Does signing players early in the window equate to greater chances of a better season?
    Does signing players later in the window equate to greater chances of a better season?
    Is a whole season defined by the transfer window?

  • Littleblue says:

    Zxcv how can you move forward when you haven’t got a pot to piss in?? Answer that mate.

  • Martin says:

    As i have said on other posts the writting is on the wall already, survival and another hard season. With “MONEY AVAILABLE” we still have no one in, joining pre season and bedding in (if we are locky we might see a last min purchase) before the long season starts. We are where we are, and GR needs to work with players behind the ball, we are limited in many areas to play anything other than that. Best hope is to stay in the championship.

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    Has Tiendelli’s trial ended?

  • royinamillion says:

    Until the ink is dry on the contract don’t believe anything coming out of China. Ernst & Young give a 2 year option to a group of people solely interested in making money from a future sale and everyone is thinking the gravy train has arrived.
    With companies like Trillion they usually have an ex strategy when buying and this will be no different..One of those strategies will be to exit before contract stage. So don’t anyone be surprised if this happens over the next few weeks.

    • BhamCityJulian says:

      You exit when you sell but before that you have to buy and they haven’t done that yet.

      It’s ironic that Bruce left because of a takeover in its embryonic stage but could return in the same manner. He still owns his house in Knowle. TTA would surely trust him with more money than Rowett who I think has blotted his copybook with his January dealings

    • Bluey says:

      When i said i was disappointed that our new owners were going to be an investment group like TTA i was hammered on these pages for being negative. When,or if, they take over i predict there will be only very moderate investment for players and we`ll tread water for the 2 years or so they are around. GR is struggling to get players in because he has little money to finance an offer. So give him some slack. And i suggest we get used to the way things are because it`s not going to change a lot until we have owners who care about BCFC for football`s sake and not as a `quick earner`. We have at least 2 seasons of mediocrity to look forward to (imho).

      • StaffsBlue says:

        Fair points Bluey. But, if you’re waiting for someone to take over who care about Blues for football’s sake, I fear you’ll be a very old man before that ever happens (certainly not in my lifetime.) Football is a business my friend, run by businessmen and, whether we like it or not, it will continue be run that way.

      • almajir says:

        GR is struggling to get players in because he has little money to finance an offer.

        You know this for a fact?

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    The problems from Hibs:

    1/ Tesche and Gleeson didn’t make runs into the box to make space

    2/ We took too long to get the ball out to Maghoma and VSO

    3/ Donaldson was toothless

    4/ As a pairing Donaldson and Vaughan didn’t play for each other

    5/ Reece Brown looks a player for the near future, but he needs to make up for all gym sessions he’s apparently missed

  • tgeejay says:

    Surely we should be backing GR, after the miracles he performed when he first came he deserves anther full season at least.
    Perhaps a change to his management team to brrng in some fresh ideas?

  • You sign a player early John so that he has time to gel with the players .so that he can concentrate on football when the season starts instead of moving house .this way you hit the boards running .

    • Shirley Blue says:

      When you are in the financial situation we are in you sign a player because you believe he is better than what you have already got and whether we like it or not there is absolutely no point in wasting limited funds unless that is the case just to bring in players early. Some of you lot really need to get a grip and take a massive reality check. Pre-season games are no indication whatsoever of how the season is likely to go. Players are making sure they are not getting injured before the season starts – it is not competitive – the results don’t matter. For every player out there who would improve us and is actually available there are probably 10 clubs chasing them.

      • Bluey says:

        Spot on. We cannot compete for the better quality players because we have very limited resources. I`m sure GR has identified loads of players who would improve us but we just can`t get them.

  • John says:

    Well total and kieftenbeld were brought in late and they didn’t need gelling did they??? Biggest myth ever ‘ time to gel’ its just an excuse if they dontbhit the ground running.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Had a great weekend spoilt by an inept , embarrassing and totally useless performance from Blues .. The fans turn up all this way but the team couldn’t be bothered to turn up themselves and Rowett didn’t even bother to come over and clap our amazing fans .. Still had a great time but 90 mins of it was crap . KRO

  • Players need to work on set pieces as they differ with each team .they need to know where a player favours a pass putting left or right footed .whether a fellow player is a good header of a ball in the box or whether a pass would be more fruitful ..bidding under what is being asked for a few players and hoping that one is excepted is not exactly getting the player the club needs .I here Newcastle are after Adams who GR favours could be a case of waited to late again …

  • Stan Moye says:

    Dave as l said on my earlier post, you would have thought when the players saw the amazing turnout and effort the fans had made it would have inspired them to get stuck in and produce a performance that matched the fans commitment. Obviously not, we have become far too one dimensional, almost boring dare l say. I don’t expect to win every game, but l’d much rather have effort and desire over skill when you feel like performing. Maybe l’m old school, but l’d have waked over broken glass, still would to pull that shirt on. My poor old Mom used to que around the ground for my tickets years ago, l’m not sure we’d make a decent bus que these days. Sort it out Gary and stop waffling.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I don’t think for one moment that we’ll be anywhere near the relegation places, but, with the squad we have at the moment, I think 10th again will be the target. It’s not really progress, but it’s not really going backwards either. We were poor in the final third of last season and, so far, in pre-season too and as much as they’re good signings, Shotton and Tesche won’t make much difference imo. Until we get proper investment in the squad, we’ll probably tread water. It’s disappointing, but it is what it is, for the time being.

    • Art says:

      Here here.

      The voice of reality nicely sums up my view.

      Sad to say at the moment we have not strengthened the squad and I think it’s all about the current uncertaintaity which just lingers on.

      Nothing will change until we officially get new owners who realise the potential.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Caddis , grounds , maghoma and Donaldson need replacing in the team NOW and another centre half NOW .. That’s it !!!KRO

  • Mitchell says:

    Although considered not good enough-I believe Bradshaw would have given everybody a lift at the club. Donaldson and Vaughan will not get anywhere near his seasons tally for Barnsley imo.GR has missed a gigantic trick here.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I too would have liked to see what Bradshaw could have done for us, but Rowett & Co deemed him not good enough. That’s fair enough, I accept that he probably knows better than me… but the striker he does bring is clearly going to have to be better or he’s gonna look a right tit.

  • To be honest lads I thought Griggs would have been a better buy simply because his heading ability is better . But bradshaw s pace and movement was better so what do we know …but for the money he was worth having on the bench anyway when Donaldson finishes …..but really non of them are the finished article ..I thought Chester would have had a dosier on players worth getting..

  • Jazzzy786 says:

    Newcastle after Che Adams according to BM. Well that scuppers our plans then.

  • Mitchell says:

    Going back to my Bradshaw comment. On second thoughts it is probably a good thing that he didn’t sign for us. As Staffs and William know our training days at Wast Hills appear to ignore shooting practice for the front men.Vaughan being an excellent example.

  • CLF says:

    Gary Rowett is the best thing to happen to our club in years. The job he has done since arriving, with minimal resources, is little short of miraculous. I for one am in awe of the job he has done and is continuing to do for this club. Either the majority of those commenting have very short memories or, perhaps more likely, are just plain simple. It’s all predictably sad.

  • Blue Eyed Boy says:

    Welcome back Dave Mann,Mitch: call off the search party our man is back. Hopefully he will respond back to my earlier bloggs! KRO

  • Dave Mann says:

    It will take more than Edinburgh , the Hibs fans and the police to keep me down and out BEB.. Pre season friendly and things looking shaky but follow the Blues like I do with my family and you just get on with it ..I know where i rest my head .. I just hope other fans know where there heads are because with fans like some of them on here they just like to make statements without actually being there and think they know it all … From someone who Goes to most games , yes we are struggling and need at least 4 payers so please don’t patronise me by telling fans like me what we already know .KRO

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I think it will be much the same as last summer. With decent investment in the squad, we could finish between 6th and 9th. Without decent investment, it’ll be 10th-12th again. At this moment in time, it’s the latter. The next fortnight will be interesting.

  • Dave Mann says:

    It’s 12th to 16th at best as it stands staffs .. Sorry to dissagree with you but that’s as it stands at the moment . KRO

  • dablu says:

    Vaughan has been unlucky. hit the woodwork a few times but has an assist. im not going to say rowett is the problem as imo he isn’t, but Donaldson is a fav of his. he commented that (im going to paraphrase) Donaldson’s workrate outweighed his missed chances/lack of goals before.. tbh its hard for anybody else at that point. and, to be fair, Vaughan would work his socks off more than Donaldson.

    but, after all that’s said and done, to me we still need a kyle bartley (Morrison is good but lacks pace), tyler blackett (wasn’t as bad as the flack he was given, or even rico henry at LB. TWO up top. we were self defeatist last season because we played one up top and wernt as fluid as you should be for that.. e.g a ball into the channel to Donaldson and on rare occasion someone else, then they chase the ball down but are nowhere near goal, or their nearer to the corner flag when they get it = no striker to get a shotoff rather than shotton lol. . but ultimately imo, whatever formation you play, as important as they are, the mentality of it is more important.. counter attacking can work as and when the opportunity arises, but in general NOW we need to be more attacking minded.. as id be more content loosing trying to win than I would loosing trying not to lose, or loosing while being reserved in approach. if we are looking to get another striker in, should be to play along side another, rather than as a lone striker.. id play a lone striker 1) away 2) against stronger opposition, but not at home if I ever had to. also the team aint in as bad as it seems, but theres no depth, in defence in particular.. given the right chances, Vaughan and brown COULD be key to any success we get as the current squad stands, and davis shouldn’t be overlooked in favour of gleeson .. fabbrini and tesche need to have good seasons so too Morrison.. everyone for that matter.

    but how id motivate them is tell them to express themselves and have the nwa express yourself chorus playing in the dressing room before matches

  • StaffsBlue says:

    At the end of the day, it’s almost inevitable that we’ll play one up front again this season, which means Donaldson will probably hog the position. The only way for counter-attacking to work properly, is with speed on the break.. and we just don’t have that. Until we do, our system is unlikely to work as effectively as it could do.

    • dablu says:

      agreed, as that ultimately was the point I was trying to make .. that’s why I think we need to shift from counter attacking to a more gung ho approach.. 5 /(6 if one mf is defensive too) defensive players including gk, and the rest just go for it lol

  • Stan Moye says:

    Not sure l prescribe to a hung ho approach, probably more of the same this season, l just see us struggling if we go behind, the current squad needs a couple of additions attacking wise to give us the options we need, otherwise it’s a bit 1D.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I’d prefer to see us build from the back myself. I get neck ache watching the keeper feck it into the floodlights, expecting our lone striker to win the ball against two big centre backs. Randolph did the same. 90% of the time, the defenders win the ball and it comes right back at us. Start our attacks through the full backs, or a centre back with a midfielder coming short to recieve the ball. FFS, play football, not hoofball.

  • Stan Moye says:

    Sorry gung not hung

  • mark says:

    well -done to jack storer scoring again hes on fireeeeee keep on knocking Mr Satety door…..
    All you can do is keep scorrrrrinnnng……..Hopefully the fans will recognise you more and get behind you.

  • Mitchell says:

    From time to time Staffs and myself get a feeling in our water-and today it is my turn. Just got that inkling that a local Prem.striker on his way. No inside info.or anything like that but genuine feeling.


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