Birmingham Match Thread

[FiNeRaIn]

can I just say Harper is having his usual stinker?

Im not a fan of haper but singling him out like that is pathetic to say the least.

[Wizard]

Cisse is having a good game defensively, as are Ingi and Duberry. Federici has done everything asked with minimal fuss, always nice to see. Let's hope we do in the second half what we did to Wolves.

[howser]

So far so good............Duberry MAN MOUNTAIN !!

[rfcjoe]

I must admit, we look bloody good. Defensively superb and attacking ok. Henry needs to liven up and get stuck in a bit more but he's doing ok. Cisse is motm so far closely followed by all of the back four.

Liven up Harps!

[Percy's Rocket]

With the strike threats at their disposal I cannot see Brum failing to score or playing as badly in the second half

so we could do with another one..wouldn't mind seeing Gunnar for Henry at some point though the boy has done well

I can see Gunnar or Cisse getting on the end of a set piece.

I thought that was an very solid effort from 1 to 11. Keep it going boys

[kwik-silva]

Cisse is having a good game defensively, as are Ingi and Duberry. Federici has done everything asked with minimal fuss, always nice to see. Let's hope we do in the second half what we did to Wolves.

thats what they're saying on SS

[Royalee]

Harper has found a Reading player four times all half. The other nine times I've counted him touch the ball, he's given it away which pretty much sums him up. Cisse on the other hand is having an excellent game, is winning everything and playing the simple ball which is important away from home.

We're not really being made to work much by a very poor Birmingham side - they look afraid to do anything and aren't passing the ball. Even the pitch is no excuse for that amount of aimless hoofball, it reminds me of us last year. Three points in the bag unless they improve dramatically in the second half.

[Royalee]

Big shout out to Duberry too as I'm usually not to keen on him - he's had a decent game and hasn't put a foot wrong so far even if their forward line is extremely static and being given no service.

[Boston Royal]

Sky Sports highlighting Fed's excellent distribution. I think he's done well - no difficult saves so far (thanks to good defending) but claimed some tricky high balls cleanly

[One Beer is never enough.]

C'mon boys, keep it tight and give us a happy Xmas

[ScottishRoyal]

We do need to watch out for the ball through the middle though. Their wide players are not wingers in the traditional sense and often come inside making it the more obviuos through ball, and something Jerome with pace and strength can get on the end of.

Think we've defended well without creating much going forward other than on the counter. To see the game out we need to close the gas between our three banks, play patient possesion football when the early ball isn't on (SHunt take note) and frustrate Brum. They'll come at us more and more so the the counter will still be on.

Finally this may be a very old cliche but it's important that we hold firm for the first 15mins second half.

[Chaney]

Harper has found a Reading player four times all half. The other nine times I've counted him touch the ball, he's given it away which pretty much sums him up. Cisse on the other hand is having an excellent game, is winning everything and playing the simple ball which is important away from home.

We're not really being made to work much by a very poor Birmingham side - they look afraid to do anything and aren't passing the ball. Even the pitch is no excuse for that amount of aimless hoofball, it reminds me of us last year. Three points in the bag unless they improve dramatically in the second half.

glad you agree on the Harper thing, but I think its a bit premature to say the points are in the bag..Bham will almost certainly get better in this half, so we need to be strong in midfield and defence

[Row Z Royal]

Harper has found a Reading player four times all half. The other nine times I've counted him touch the ball, he's given it away which pretty much sums him up. Cisse on the other hand is having an excellent game, is winning everything and playing the simple ball which is important away from home.

We're not really being made to work much by a very poor Birmingham side - they look afraid to do anything and aren't passing the ball. Even the pitch is no excuse for that amount of aimless hoofball, it reminds me of us last year. Three points in the bag unless they improve dramatically in the second half.

glad you agree on the Harper thing, but I think its a bit premature to say the points are in the bag..Bham will almost certainly get better in this half, so we need to be strong in midfield and defence

That's probably why he said "...unless they improve dramatically in the second half".

[FiNeRaIn]

Kevin ambition( phillips) looks hungry for a goal here, bet he scores today.

[kwik-silva]

Hunt should've stayed at the back post

[Row Z Royal]

Federici's wearing Under Armour. I thought our boys had to wear the Puma equivalent these days.

[RobRoyal]

Cracking play by Henry! He's rising to the occasion.

[Southbank Old Boy]

Cracking play by Henry! He's rising to the occasion.

He's played some lovelly little balls here and there, perfectly weighted, and has got over a number of very good crosses too

[Friday's Child]

Cracking play by Henry! He's rising to the occasion.

He's played some lovelly little balls here and there, perfectly weighted, and has got over a number of very good crosses too

If he can hit a 70 yard pass to feet, then I'd go as far as saying he's the sort of comparable player to a young Beckham. (cue laughter)

[Row Z Royal]

Cracking play by Henry! He's rising to the occasion.

He's played some lovelly little balls here and there, perfectly weighted, and has got over a number of very good crosses too

If he can hit a 70 yard pass to feet, then I'd go as far as saying he's the sort of comparable player to a young Beckham. (cue laughter)

'greed. Beckham's never beaten a man round the outside either.