Always Blue
Tactics
The Left Back Conundrum
With David Murphy receiving a red card for two bookable offences on Tuesday night, Blues are once again going to have to solve a conundrum as to who to play there. As the red card was for two yellows it can’t be appealed even if Blues had wanted to do so, and as such Birmingham have four fit first team defenders currently for the Cardiff game on Sunday – Peter Ramage, Curtis Davies, Steven Caldwell and Pablo Ibanez. Which way do they go?
Tags: Andros Townsend, Cian Hughton, Enric Valles, Guirane N'Daw, Mitchell Hancox, Morgaro Gomis, Peter Ramage, Tactics
Posted in Birmingham City, Talking Points | 20 Comments »
Unpopular Tactics
So, the Blues unbeaten run came to an abrupt end at the weekend. Having had a little while to think about it, I’ve come to the conclusion that one thing cost us more than everything else – and that was the change from the 4-5-1 Blues have been playing recently to what you think would think is a more natural 4-4-2. I know this may be heretical, but right now I think we’d be better off playing just one up top.
Tags: Chris Hughton, Erik Huseklepp, Marlon King, Nikola Zigic, Tactics
Posted in Birmingham City, Talking Points | 18 Comments »
The Fear
One thing that has been extensively argued on Birmingham City messageboards this season has been the dour football that the Blues have dished up on a regular basis for the fans. Whilst the team is high on work-rate, and on battling for points, it’s low on creativity and fashioning chances, let alone goals. The accusation is often levelled at Alex McLeish that he is too negative with his tactics, and too careful in the teams he sends out.
Tags: Alex McLeish, Aliaksandr Hleb, David Bentley, Peter Odemwingie, relegation, Tactics, Transfers
Posted in Birmingham City, Talking Points | 1 Comment »
Back to the Chalkboard
Having had some time to reflect on the game yesterday against Wolves, I thought it would be interesting to review and analyse in detail some of the match to show where Blues were strongest and weakest.
Tags: Cameron Jerome, Jean Beausejour, Liam Ridgewell, Roger Johnson, Tactics
Posted in Birmingham City, Talking Points | Comments Off
Under Pressure
Tomorrow sees the visit of Wolves to St Andrews, in what can only be described in the classic football cliché of a “six-pointer”. With the end of the season now coming up fast, pressure is starting to bear down on Blues – even more so on Wolves – and tomorrow could be an absolute humdinger.
Tags: Alex McLeish, Aliaksandr Hleb, Cameron Jerome, Kevin Phillips, Lee Bowyer, Previews, Tactics
Posted in Birmingham City, Previews | Comments Off
