[jjamez]

There's a quick turnaround as Town, fresh off the back of a strange 2-0 win, welcome Birmingham to West Yorkshire. I say strange as for the first 20 minutes it seemed as if everytime we ventured forward, there was going to be a chance on goal. After that we seemed to stop playing and allowed Hull to come back into the game, to the point that in the second half we were playing 5 at the back, 4 across midfield and a striker that at times was deeper than the midfield. At home, against a side that has scored just 8 goals all season, you'd have been forgiven for thinking we were up against Liverpool or something, but oh well, 3 points and we now sit in 6th position. When do we dream?

Our visitors have had the one extra days rest over us as they played on Friday night against West Brom. Former Town attacker Karlan Grant gave the baggies all 3 points with what could be called a typical Karlan Grant goal, with a well struck effort from outside the box after moving in from the left. Birmingham came close when Ivan Sunjic hit the bar, but the defeat leaves Lee Bowyer's City with only one point - and no goals - from their past five games.



The Blues sit 19th in the table and as mentioned have not had such a good time of it recently, but back in August they began with a surprise win away at recently relegated Sheffield United. They allowed United to keep the ball but limited their efforts on goal, french defender Maxime Collin scored the only goal of the game. The beat Colchester in the league cup before drawing 0-0 against Stoke in a game of few chances. Bournemouth came to town and a late showing from the Cherries condemned Birmingham to their first defeat of the season, Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony scoring the goals that night. They would then head down to Luton, where they would proceed to rip the Hatters to shreds, winning 5-0, Scott Hogan bagged a brace, whilst Marc Roberts, Chuks Aneke and Gary Gardener also found themselves on the scoresheet. They then were knocked out of the League cup by Fulham before heading up to Yorkshire to face struggling Barnsley, Callum Styles gave Barnsley the lead before former Town loanee and notoriously difficult anagram, Lukas Jutkiewicz equalised from close range.

Their first game of September saw them welcome Derby County to St Andrews and would end up winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Hogan and Jeremie Bela, the game also saw Brumbie boy Troy Deeney come on for his Blues debut. Fulham returned to St Andrews soon after their recent League Cup win and put Birmingham to the sword, running out 4-1 winners, Dennis Odoi, an Aleksandar Mitrovic brace and Harry Wilson all on the scoresheet for the Cottagers, whilst Deeney scored a late penalty to give him his first goal for his new club. A first minute own goal from Harlee Dean showed what was to come for Birmingham as they travelled to Peterborough, Jonson Clark-Harris and Jorge Grant also scored to put the Posh 3-0 up, it went from bad to worse as Gardener received a straight red. A dull 0-0 against Preston followed before they headed to the capital to face QPR in a 2-0 defeat with Illias Chair bagging a brace. October has seen the Blues fail to score as they began with a 3-0 defeat at home to resurgent Nottingham Forest, Lewis Grabban, Ryan Yates and Djed Spence all getting on the scoresheet before the international break, then came the defeat away at West Brom.



So what is happening at Birmingham nowadays?

Well they are now being managed by former Leeds and Birmingham midfielder and Charlton manager Lee Bowyer. He was muted as a possible candidate for the town job when Danny Cowley was umming and arring over taking the job. Famous for having a punch-up with Kieron Dyer whilst both were playing for Newcastle and being an avid fisherman, he joined Charlton as assistant manager to Karl Robinson and took interim charge when he left by mutual consent. He got renamed as caretaker manager for a short spell before being given the job full time. At the time Charlton were a club in turmoil with the ownership issues at boardroom level but managed to guide them to promotion with a play off final win against fellow sinking Premier League side Sunderland. During his stay at Charlton he refused to sign an extension to his contract, but reversed the decision when the club got new owners. His Charlton side were relegated on the final day of the 2019-2020 season by Leeds and he resigned in March 2021 before being appointed Aitor Karanka's replacement at former club Birmingham the next day.



In the Summer transfer window, they were rather active, signing 8 new players. Notable signings such as Troy Deeney, who some Town fans may remember from way back when he lined up against us whilst at Walsall, fiery haired midfielder Ryan Woods joined from fellow Championship side Stoke, that could be a good battle on Wednesday between him and Lewis O'Brien. Highly rated Manchester United youth player Tahith Chong joined on loan, the skilful Dutch winger has had a few loans out already to the continent, but this is the first time he has been loaned out in England as United look to progress him through to their first team, fellow Dutchman Juan Familia-Castillo also joined on loan from Premier League Chelsea, but he has yet to really establish himself with Birmingham's first team. Former Villa youth player Jordan Graham joined on a free transfer from Gillingham, whilst goalkeeper Matija Sarkic joined on loan from fellow midlands side Wolves, Dion Sanderson also made the same loan switch from Wolves, but whilst Sarkic has become number 1, Sanderson is still struggling to cement a position in the first team. Finally Bowyer raided former club Charlton for the free signing of Chuks Aneke, one time highly rated by Arsenal, the forward has been plagued by injuries pretty much his entire career, he had a purple patch whilst at MK Dons, which led to his transfer to Charlton, he his strong and powerful, but has never lived up to expectations.



There was also numerous departures from St Andrews, the majority of Karanka's Spanish influx all left, along with a number of younger players to get first team football elsewhere. Former Liverpool defender Mikel San Jose left for SD Amorebieta in the Spanish second division, Agus Medina left for fellow second tier side SD Ponferradina, winger Ivan Guzman joined AD Ceuta, whilst young winger Fran Villalba joined Sporting Gijon on loan. Spanish goalkeeper Andres Prieto joined Dinamo Tbilisi and Jon Toral went to Greece to play for OFI Crete, former Barcelona and AC Milan midfielder Alen Halilovic joined Reading on a free transfer despite their transfer embargo. Bowyer loaned Jonathon Leko to Charlton, whilst Sam Cosgrove, who joined to much fanfare due to his impressive start to last season at Aberdeen, moved on loan to Shrewsbury after failing to adjust back down in England.


So what to expect?

Well it's probably going to be the same as what has been expected from Birmingham over the past few years, direct football trying to utilize their big players and try to bully a result, they have a few players such as former shayman Marc Roberts who possess long throw in capabilities, so it's fair to suggest they will be looking at getting the ball in the box from range. They have been fairly willing to sacrifice possession of the ball in favour for efforts and attempts to win the second ball, as one would suspect, but don't be thinking that that is all they have. They have players like Hogan who is a willing runner who will try and put defenders under pressure, whilst in Chong and Bela they have tricky wide men who will need to be well marshalled by Town. At the start of the season, I'd have said Birmingham would be a team in a similar situation to our own, and in fairness, how they try to score goals is not too dissimilar to our own, in that we try to make the most of set pieces, we probably try to keep the ball more, but that in turn is due to the players we have in the attacking third and that our height comes from the back.



In terms of team news, Matty Pearson went off injured/ill on Saturday, so he maybe touch and go for Wednesday, but a ready made replacement in naby sarr is waiting, goalscorer Duane Holmes was struggling come the last 10 minutes, so he may give way for Josh Koroma to come back in. Scott high will be looking for a starting berth after replacing Danel Sinani at the weekend, who to me looked ineffective barring a deflected shot in open play, defensively he was found wanting on a few occasions. Long term absentees will remain as such, with short term absentee Alex Vallejo a possible returnee, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench. As for any other surprises, I don't think Carlos will treat us to any, maybe Jon Russell from the b team may get a look in on the bench after impressing for the b team against Watford.

As for Birmingham, they have a couple of injury doubts and a few long term absentees. Defender Maxime Collin went off with an ankle issue that he has been playing through until then, so it could be a case that he sits out on Wednesday, fellow defender Marc Roberts picked up a dead leg against West Brom so he too could also miss out. Ivan Sanchez could return in some form against Town as he recovers from a Groin Operation. Neil Etheridge was a victim of COVID-19 and is still in the process of making his recovery.

In regards to ones to watch, winger Jeremie Bela leads the assist charts for the Blues with 2, whilst hustle and bustle striker Hogan will need to have a watchful eye kept on him. Maxime Collin will be a big miss for the Blues should he be missing, he generally features at right back for the side and his experience would help keep whoever Town pick on the left quiet. A big player for them will be Ryan Woods, he was named on the bench for the WBA game, but I expect him to come back into the side. They are likely to line up in a similar formation to ourselves with Lukas being the most pivotal player in their system.



In terms of head to heads, it has been a very common match up, with Town winning 42, drawing 34 and losing 39, The first meeting coming back in 1910, with other results including a 2-1 defeat back in May 2001, which has resulted in a few Town fans having no time for Birmingham, I was barely understanding football at the time, so I think it was because we got relegated, but I dont know what actually happened. It would be 7 years before the two sides met again, with an FA Cup tie seeing Town win 2-1 thanks to goals from Luke Beckett and Chris Brandon, either side of a Gary O'Connor goal, it would also be the last time Town ever beat the Blues in West Yorkshire. A Jermaine Beckford goal gave Town a 1-0 win in our first season in the Championship after promotion from League One, in the promotion season, Town drew at home with Eilias Kachunga scoring in the second half, before Lukas equalised, a much changed Town side lost the return fixture 2-0 prompting a few unhappy fans from other clubs. The two sides were drawn against each other in the FA Cup whilst Town were in the Premier League, Steve Mounie scored for Town before Lukas score once again against us to force a replay. Town would come from behind to win the replay after extra time, Che Adams, now at Southampton opened the scoring, before a Roberts own goal got Town back into it. In extra time Town put the blues to the sword and saw Mounie, Rajiv Van La Parra and Tom Ince all get on the scoresheet. Since our return to the Championship, we have drawn 1-1 at the John Smiths, a Fraizer Campbell goal being cancelled out by, yes, Lukas, before the return fixture was played behind closed doors as Town won 3-0 to help secure their place in the Championship, Campbell scored once again and was joined by Karlan Grant and Kachunga on the scoresheet. Last season Town lost 2-1 away at Birmingham, Gardener and I'll let you guess the second scored for Brum, with Isaac Mbenza scoring for Town. Campbell scored again in the home fixture in a 1-1 draw, with Marc Roberts equalising for the Blues. Does anyone think we should just re-sign Lukas, just to stop the bugger scoring against us?



Played for both- Jutkiewicz isn't an answer

1) Began his career at Man City and had loans at Carlisle and Leeds, before going there permanently. Loans at Peterborough and MK Dons followed before he made the move here. A productive two year spell at Town saw him move north where he saw his role change. After 6 years he moved down to Birmingham and has yet to appear this season.

2) Began his career at Birmingham having come through their academy. A rumoured attitude problem saw him loaned out to Notts County and Chesterfield, before he went vegan ahead of his move to Town. No league appearances for Town followed, instead he found himself back out on loan in league one in an attempt to put him in the shop window.

3) Another Birmingham boy, he made his name in the Premier League for another team in blue. He had many loans out during his Premier League days before a move to another Premier League side. He became a cult figure at Town as he scored 31 league goals for the club during his stay. A falling out saw him move to his boyhood club where he would fail to score a league goal, before becoming a lower league journeyman featuring for sides such as Bradford, Tranmere and Wigan.

4) A lower league hotshot that found his way into league football without ever being part of a Professional clubs academy. His time at Town saw him overshadowed by others in the side and at times he struggled to make a telling impact. He left after rejecting a new deal and joined Birmingham and proved useful without being spectacular and they released him when his contract expired. He struggled big time in the capital before moving towards the east coast for a spell before moving back to Yorkshire.

5) Defender who made his breakthrough at Newcastle before establishing himself at Burnley. He stayed there for 5 year before moving to Birmingham, he struggled there and had a loan at Town, which was underwhelming, Birmingham later released him and he went to ply his trade in North America.

6) International midfielder who had loan spells at both Huddersfield and Birmingham. His loan at Brum came first and he made 17 appearances for the side and won their goal of the season during his loan. Injuries started to plague his career ahead of a move on loan to Town. He managed to play 30 games that season as he showed his fitness. Despite Town being interested he moved to Cardiff instead but struggled and joined Ipswich before ultimately becoming a free agent.

7) Began his career at Newcastle and is now a coach elsewhere in the Championship he made 58 appearances in all for Town and scored no goals, but played an important hand as the club looked to return to where many felt it belonged. His time at Birmingham was longer as he spent over a decade there and made 287 appearances for the club and is still held in high regard by both clubs.

8) Spent nearly a decade at Birmingham having made his name at Blackburn, was the victim of numerous serious injuries and did well to be playing into his 30's, he joined Town after a poor spell on the south coast and had two spells in blue and white before finally retiring on the west coast.

9) Had a three year spell at Town where he endeared himself to the fans before leaving to join Birmingham where he struggled to make an impact in the early days of his time there. He eventually got going there but his time didn't last too much longer afterwards due to an injury that saw him fall out of favour once again. He had a few loans out before retiring in 2006 only to come out of retirement for one season in 2008.

10) Made 165 appearances for Swansea before making a further 258 for Town. He made a loan move to Birmingham but nothing came off it as he ended up spending the final years of his career in the lower leagues before retiring in 2012.


Anagrams

1) Lame as chill ale

2) Imbue bum ear

3) Tit theft adored honker hope gone

4) Jumbled Healing

5) A firm slayers

[ritchiebaby]

I'm glad I went for my brain transplant before looking at the anagrams.

2. Beau Brummie
3. Keep Right On To The End Of The Road

Phew!

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And 4 is Jude Bellingham

[WakeyTerrier]

1 Adam Clayton
2 Reece Brown

[Lord Snooty]

Nice one jjamez.

Chong played against us for Manure in the PL. Could've been the FA Cup match though, not sure. With his big hair he looked like Diana Ross coming out.

They leave two up when facing corners and have a very effective breakaway, with yond Chong and his speed. Need to be wary of that.

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As for that game in 2001. We got relegated, they got promoted and celebrated on our pitch while we were in bits.
Might have been some fighting as well.

[Lord Snooty]

Anagram 5: Sir Alf Ramsey

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3) James Vaughan

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4) Lee Novak

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7) Ian Bennett

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9) Nico Vaesen

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10) Steve Jenkins

[theo_luddite]

Looks like I joined in the fun a bit late on this one as the usual fanatics have been at the clues since the crack of dawn.

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Anti gram 1 after a brainwave (and a Wiki check to be honest) is Small Heath Alliance - their original name.

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Interesting - compare and contrast the pay on the day info ....

https://www.htafc.com/news/2021/october/...am-city-h/

https://twitter.com/BCFC/status/14501431...gr%5Etweet

So what is it Town? If away fans can pay on the gate why can't home fans?

And why would anyone want to buy a parking pass for the Hull game? That was Saturday

[jjamez]

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/f...s-21903431

Bit of a run down of Lee Bowyers spiel here

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And some from Carlos

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/foo...w-21901992

[Lord Snooty]

Yes theo. I thought Small Heath Alliance but there aren't enough letters. 

That jjamez being a sneaky cheeky again? 

[jjamez]

Yeah that could possibly be my bad

[Lord Snooty]

5) David Edgar

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8) Damien Johnson