Birmingham Match Thread - Sponsored by HooliHoops

[grey_squirrel]

wingers disappearing from one game to the next often has nothing to do with the winger. Credit normally should go to the full back who keeps the winger quiet, rather than bemoaning a lack of consistency. As Nige said today, Obita hardly gave Burke a kick and Burke is a decent Championship player.

Another good example is the home game against QPR - Essou Ekoto has McCleary in his pocket all game,yet McCleary scored a screamer in the game at Loftus Road

True but on another day, conversely, the winger will have the full back in his pocket. I suppose it is an exposed, isolated position and not one where you can ever say they had a "so-so" game.

[handbags_harris]

Wondering if Leicester could beat the 106 points :-\

Currently on 80 points after 35 games

Now 81 after 36. For comparison, we were on 86 after 36. We went on to win 5 and draw 5 in our last 10 games:-

Burnley a W 3-0
Watford h D 0-0
Wolves h D 1-1
Leicester a D 1-1
Derby h W 5-0
Cardiff a W 5-2
Leeds a D 1-1
Stoke h W 3-1
Sheff Wed a D 1-1
QPR h W 2-1

Leicester therefore have to win at least 8 of their last 10 to have to even think about challenging the record...

[specialjon]

Mmmm ... I never thought Jobi lacked footballing ability. There's a reason he has spent all his career in the top two divisions. Weirdly he seems a player who, unaccountably, can lack confidence but I have never considered for a moment that he is lacking in the ability department.

I don't want to sound harsh, but if he didn't lack footballing ability why isn't he playing in the top league with a top club? He lacks the ability to finish, his crossing is hit and miss. His decision making is also suspect. Obviously no player is perfect but the reason he is playing for us and not in the premier league is the lack of these things.

[Libertine]

I know it is fashionable to have a go at our captain whose goal scoring form (up until today) has been poor. All I have to say is look at our record when he plays as opposed to when he doesn't. #justsayin'

[Ian Royal]

Mmmm ... I never thought Jobi lacked footballing ability. There's a reason he has spent all his career in the top two divisions. Weirdly he seems a player who, unaccountably, can lack confidence but I have never considered for a moment that he is lacking in the ability department.

I don't want to sound harsh, but if he didn't lack footballing ability why isn't he playing in the top league with a top club? He lacks the ability to finish, his crossing is hit and miss. His decision making is also suspect. Obviously no player is perfect but the reason he is playing for us and not in the premier league is the lack of these things.

So by your definition only those who play their career out in the top flight have footballing ability. No one has said McAnuff is a Prem quality player, although he did a good job in his one season there. But he quite clearly has plenty of footballing ability.

Almost no one's crossing is always good, but his record with us proves his ability in that regard. Consistently one of the top assisters at the club. His shooting is a weakness. But he still pops up with important goals every now and then. Probably his biggest weakness, as suggested by Brian, is his mental fragility, which is, I think, the root cause of his weak shooting.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Took Adkins too long to realise that minor point at the front end of this season Libertine.

[specialjon]

Mmmm ... I never thought Jobi lacked footballing ability. There's a reason he has spent all his career in the top two divisions. Weirdly he seems a player who, unaccountably, can lack confidence but I have never considered for a moment that he is lacking in the ability department.

I don't want to sound harsh, but if he didn't lack footballing ability why isn't he playing in the top league with a top club? He lacks the ability to finish, his crossing is hit and miss. His decision making is also suspect. Obviously no player is perfect but the reason he is playing for us and not in the premier league is the lack of these things.

So by your definition only those who play their career out in the top flight have footballing ability. No one has said McAnuff is a Prem quality player, although he did a good job in his one season there. But he quite clearly has plenty of footballing ability.

Almost no one's crossing is always good, but his record with us proves his ability in that regard. Consistently one of the top assisters at the club. His shooting is a weakness. But he still pops up with important goals every now and then. Probably his biggest weakness, as suggested by Brian, is his mental fragility, which is, I think, the root cause of his weak shooting.

I agree with pretty much all you say. Who knows why his shot is weak. He clearly has footballing ability but lacks some to be a top performer at the top level, that's my point about him and pearce, they lack footballing ability to play at the highest level but both have passion for the club which makes up for some of the lack of ability.

[Man Friday]

Wondering if Leicester could beat the 106 points :-\

Currently on 80 points after 35 games

Now 81 after 36. For comparison, we were on 86 after 36. We went on to win 5 and draw 5 in our last 10 games:-

Burnley a W 3-0
Watford h D 0-0
Wolves h D 1-1
Leicester a D 1-1
Derby h W 5-0
Cardiff a W 5-2
Leeds a D 1-1
Stoke h W 3-1
Sheff Wed a D 1-1
QPR h W 2-1

Leicester therefore have to win at least 8 of their last 10 to have to even think about challenging the record...

Went to most of those matches. Seems like only yesterday.

[handbags_harris]

Yep, to be honest I should have given up watching football at full time of the QPR game. It'll never, ever, get any better than that will it?

[Libertine]

Took Adkins too long to realise that minor point at the front end of this season Libertine.

Yep. Glad he did (eventually) figure it out. It is one of the reasons I still back him as strongly as I do. Because despite any perceived "shortcomings" all Jobi seems to do (at least at this level) is win. Probably my favorite member of this squad currently, and borderline Reading legend based on what has been accomplished by the team, partly under his captaincy, during his time here. He isn't "flashy" but the way he has carried himself, on and off the pitch, and what he has accomplished on the pitch I view him as what is called "a professional's professional".

[AthleticoSpizz]

+100

as they say on here.

The most consistantly brilliant player that I have ever seen......... since our relegation from the Premier under Steve Coppell

[Ian Royal]

Yep, to be honest I should have given up watching football at full time of the QPR game. It'll never, ever, get any better than that will it?

You'd have missed:

M'boro (H) 3-2
Man Utd (H) 1-1
Spurs (H) 3-1
West Ham (H) 6-0
Chelsea (A) 2-2
Everton (A) 1-1
Man Utd FA Cup (H) 2-3
Man Utd (A) 0-0
Liverpool (A) 3-1
Donny (H) 4-3
Liverpool FA Cup (H) 1-1
Liverpool FA Cup (A) 2-1
Chelsea (H) 2-2
West Brom (H) 3-2

Amongst others. And there are some pretty special matches in that list.

[windermere_royal]

Yep, to be honest I should have given up watching football at full time of the QPR game. It'll never, ever, get any better than that will it?

You'd have missed:

M'boro (H) 3-2
Man Utd (H) 1-1
Spurs (H) 3-1
West Ham (H) 6-0
Chelsea (A) 2-2
Everton (A) 1-1
Man Utd FA Cup (H) 2-3
Man Utd (A) 0-0
Liverpool (A) 3-1
Donny (H) 4-3
Liverpool FA Cup (H) 1-1
Liverpool FA Cup (A) 2-1
Chelsea (H) 2-2
West Brom (H) 3-2

Amongst others. And there are some pretty special matches in that list.

Man Utd FA cup (a) 1-1
Everton FA cup (a) 1-0

[stealthpapes]

Even though we lost them, two FA Cup Quarter Finals.

[Reading4eva]

Personally I was in dreamland after our first home game of 07/08 season, a 1-0 win vs Everton. The swagger, style and commitment we beat them with got me thinking we were heading for brighter things.

Until November we looked like we were... Then we collapsed believe it or not after we beat Liverpool 3-1

[melonhead]

Took Adkins too long to realise that minor point at the front end of this season Libertine.

Yep. Glad he did (eventually) figure it out. It is one of the reasons I still back him as strongly as I do. Because despite any perceived "shortcomings" all Jobi seems to do (at least at this level) is win. Probably my favorite member of this squad currently, and borderline Reading legend based on what has been accomplished by the team, partly under his captaincy, during his time here. He isn't "flashy" but the way he has carried himself, on and off the pitch, and what he has accomplished on the pitch I view him as what is called "a professional's professional".

Top bloke. Should he in line for p.o.s if he keeps playing like he has since he regained his place

[melonhead]

QPR win 1 - 3.

Only just. Undeserved and lucky.

[Pepe the Horseman]

That mistake by the Boro keeper

[McClearyChops]

That mistake by the Boro keeper

Wasn't his fault , he's not the groundsman

[Ian Royal]

That mistake by the Boro keeper

That was a horrific bobble and with Zamora closing him down he didn't have much time to take a touch. Exceptionally harsh to say he was at fault. Nothing he could do about it.