Seven games into the season and it appears that we have finally moved on from our opening depression to a position of stuttering progress following the point gained against the European Champions. Strictly speaking of course Birmingham ARE the champions of Europe having beaten Liverpool home and away last season.
In order to survive in the Premier League the home ground has to become the basis in accumulating the vast majority of points. Every manager likes to refer to the home territory as a fortress and label the home fans as the ‘twelfth man’. Defeats to Manchester City, ‘Boro and Charlton should mean that the media begin calling for the transfer of the ‘twelfth man’. He’s been rubbish so far. And unlucky.
We have had a good half against City and a reasonable half against Liverpool. And that’s it for the home games. On our travels we have only really played well in the first half against West Brom. The other games have been dour battles.
But don’t panic. The only reason why we shouldn’t panic despite a poor start to the season is that there are some bad bad teams in the Premier League this season. Sunderland, Fulham, Wigan, West Brom and even Everton and Newcastle are all potential relegation candidates. Along with Blackburn!
There is a huge debate about the state of the Premier League and the standard of football on show. The games have been pretty average with very few thrillers. Chelsea are winning. There is nothing more to add. They don’t play to entertain which is a good job because they don’t. Don’t misunderstand me, they are a fine team with quality players but for the cost of a ticket I would want a lot more for my money.
The finest team I have seen at St Andrews was Arsenal when we first arrived on the scene. Their passing and movement was a joy, genuinely heart stopping, full of passion, skill and showmanship. They ran in formation and ghosted into attack. We were running in sand but the fans knew what they were seeing and stood and applauded the abundance of goals. Henry, Bergkamp, Viera, Pires et al were a dream team in motion.
The Chelsea of today would probably beat them but it would be a stifling dull ninety minutes. Maybe the success they have had has put so much pressure on them that they are scared of losing. And maybe it’s the same for the Blues.
Now we are in the Premiership and have stayed there for three years the fans also expect more. They don’t want to see a defeat to Charlton, especially when the likes of Bolton and ‘Boro are playing in Europe in front of decreasing ungrateful numbers.
We have to be patient. There are many players still to come back from injury and as stated earlier, there are at least three worse teams than us.
There are many points to play for and a long tough campaign ahead. The relegation certainties like Wigan are making a fight of it by winning away at West Brom and Everton and West Ham are proving their critics wrong.
It is time we silenced some of our critics. Especially those amongst us. This starts away at Arsenal. Not a happy hunting ground for teams and anything other than a defeat would be a huge bonus. The Gooners are tough to play against because they can whip teams regardless of the strategy taken. If we defend then we have to do so for ninety minutes against some mighty fine players and the way our defence has behaved so far you would think it unlikely they can hold on for a clean sheet. If we attack recklessly then the speed of the counter attack will leave us hopelessly exposed. I don’t know the answer. I don’t know how Bruce will send out his team.
We don’t have a good reputation when we play live on Sky and if only for the sake of my commentating I hope we provide some decent entertainment and pick up some points. One will suffice from a 4-4 draw.
Keep Right On and don’t forget your sockatyes. Or whatever they are called.