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Post by pimo on Apr 10, 2024 21:36:33 GMT
Whoever agreed to let him go needs the sack!
Going in to 4 games with not one proper centre half! Yes, I know he wanted to go but I also know 100% that we had the choice to keep him and its was CHOICE that he left!
Regards to what's left -
Aiwu - the man's arms are covered with bandages, supports, wrist straps etc etc etc. He bottles challenges, backs off and off, doesn't meet the ball and is basically a complete pussy!
Sanderson - I'm not even getting into him.
Roberts - injured. But I never thought I'd be counting the days until he's back!
The fit two are the two people we are relying on to keep us up - God help us!
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Post by bignumbernine on Apr 10, 2024 21:39:55 GMT
It’s a scandal.
Crying out for centre halves and centre forwards in January and what do we do? Bring in three midfielders.
You can have the fanciest stadium plans and fan parks in the world. But if you can’t even address glaring deficiencies in the squad when we needed it the most, then it’s all for nothing. People were saying not to blame people for past mistakes. Well maybe we should. Because those mistakes have us odds on favourites to get relegated now.
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Post by pimo on Apr 10, 2024 21:44:48 GMT
Mowbray thought Bielik was a Centre Back so some smart prat at the club let Long go.
Week later Bielik and Roberts injured. Aiwu who wasn't even on the bench is starting and we are knackered!
Brilliant
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Post by bluescharlie on Apr 10, 2024 21:53:58 GMT
He was 5th choice at the time. Got a great opportunity to go. Bit of cash in our pocket. It looks bad now but was absolutely the right decision at the time. It’s just unfortunate things transpired how they did
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Post by bubba on Apr 10, 2024 21:57:26 GMT
Whoever agreed to let him go needs the sack! Going in to 4 games with not one proper centre half! Yes, I know he wanted to go but I also know 100% that we had the choice to keep him and its was CHOICE that he left! Regards to what's left - Aiwu - the man's arms are covered with bandages, supports, wrist straps etc etc etc. He bottles challenges, backs off and off, doesn't meet the ball and is basically a complete pussy! Sanderson - I'm not even getting into him. Roberts - injured. But I never thought I'd be counting the days until he's back! The fit two are the two people we are relying on to keep us up - God help us!
Again agree all round, Long was under contract, of course it was a choice, he'd have been first choice again under Rowett and the only one comfortable on the left, not to mention a threat for us at set pieces, utteerly stupid decision, I mean it's not like we were plain sailng at the time and we had no chance outside of our window to bring a replacement in. We were counting Bielik and Drameh and Buchanan as CBs but they're not, now look at it.
Aiwu hasn't convinced me at any point, even after a couple of half decent games, just a bomb scare end of.
Sanderson I actually think has in general been better the last 2 or 3 games, but I'm not a fan and said last Summer we could have got better for the money or the same for a lot less money or nothing at all.
Roberts has been a huge miss in the circumstances.
I've always been of a mind that good managers (like Rowett) can generally set up some pretty ordinary defenders to be an effective defensive unit but as much as I think our main problems are going forward, the lack of character and ability in our centrebacks has absolutely helped hammer the nails into the coffin, even Rowett can't set em up to be dogged.
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Post by Professor Frink on Apr 10, 2024 22:02:27 GMT
The other thing is how ineffective they are at attacking set pieces
That we don’t threaten from corners or free kicks is a huge issue
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Post by gammo on Apr 10, 2024 22:04:42 GMT
And to think we've got an option to buy Aiwu for about £3m 🤣🤣 feck no.
Bielik needs to drop back and Aiwu needs to be dropped back too....to the airport.
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Post by pimo on Apr 10, 2024 22:06:23 GMT
He was 5th choice at the time. Got a great opportunity to go. Bit of cash in our pocket. It looks bad now but was absolutely the right decision at the time. It’s just unfortunate things transpired how they did It wasn't the right decision at the time and I can tell you with 100% certainty it was questioned by many inside the club as a bad decision. |
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Post by choc on Apr 10, 2024 22:31:14 GMT
Last night with all the positive announcements was the date that Birmingham City FC finally showed to everyone that it was moving on and leaving the past behind.
The squad now needs to go so the team can also move on. I can't think of one player that I would be sad to see go. That's how bad it is in my world being a Blues fan. I have never felt this way before when talking about a complete squad. There has always been some player that I would wish to keep going forward.
Some I would want cash for, but not alot. We need to move on from this shower.
Not sure what will happen with Mowbray but probably a good fit now for league 1.
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Post by dutchblue on Apr 10, 2024 22:49:08 GMT
Last night with all the positive announcements was the date that Birmingham City FC finally showed to everyone that it was moving on and leaving the past behind. The squad now needs to go so the team can also move on. I can't think of one player that I would be sad to see go. That's how bad it is in my world being a Blues fan. I have never felt this way before when talking about a complete squad. There has always been some player that I would wish to keep going forward. Some I would want cash for, but not alot. We need to move on from this shower. Not sure what will happen with Mowbray but probably a good fit now for league 1. I’d keep Miyoshi, tbf. That’s about it. And no, I still don’t see Mowbray and Venus returning. It was only ever a short term fix for the Rooney mistake. Get well soon, Mogga. |
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Post by choc on Apr 10, 2024 23:12:20 GMT
Last night with all the positive announcements was the date that Birmingham City FC finally showed to everyone that it was moving on and leaving the past behind. The squad now needs to go so the team can also move on. I can't think of one player that I would be sad to see go. That's how bad it is in my world being a Blues fan. I have never felt this way before when talking about a complete squad. There has always been some player that I would wish to keep going forward. Some I would want cash for, but not alot. We need to move on from this shower. Not sure what will happen with Mowbray but probably a good fit now for league 1. I’d keep Miyoshi, tbf. That’s about it. And no, I still don’t see Mowbray and Venus returning. It was only ever a short term fix for the Rooney mistake. Get well soon, Mogga. Was it though. Three and a half year contract 🤔 |
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Post by Professor Frink on Apr 11, 2024 4:43:28 GMT
The centre halves are a problem but the bigger issue is how impotent we are going forward.
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Post by sapfo on Apr 11, 2024 5:04:42 GMT
We let Nico Gordon go as well. Whatever you think of him, he was a centre back.
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Post by BluenoseB on Apr 11, 2024 6:13:31 GMT
Totally agree about letting Long go, was a shocking call. Was there anything in the supposed fight with cole? Maybe that was a factor. Either way ridiculous decison.
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Post by BluenoseB on Apr 11, 2024 6:14:41 GMT
Last night with all the positive announcements was the date that Birmingham City FC finally showed to everyone that it was moving on and leaving the past behind. The squad now needs to go so the team can also move on. I can't think of one player that I would be sad to see go. That's how bad it is in my world being a Blues fan. I have never felt this way before when talking about a complete squad. There has always been some player that I would wish to keep going forward. Some I would want cash for, but not alot. We need to move on from this shower. Not sure what will happen with Mowbray but probably a good fit now for league 1. I’d keep Miyoshi, tbf. That’s about it. And no, I still don’t see Mowbray and Venus returning. It was only ever a short term fix for the Rooney mistake. Get well soon, Mogga. I like Miyoshi but hes so weak, gets out muscled so often. Its like watching sunday league a how a brute just flicks him and hes litrally flicked off the ball. |
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Post by cnote on Apr 11, 2024 6:19:48 GMT
When we signed him a few of us didn’t think he’d cut in the championship. He’s done better than I thought he would but I have to agree with you he’s too lightweight for this league.
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Post by dutchblue on Apr 11, 2024 6:24:30 GMT
I’d keep Miyoshi, tbf. That’s about it. And no, I still don’t see Mowbray and Venus returning. It was only ever a short term fix for the Rooney mistake. Get well soon, Mogga. Was it though. Three and a half year contract 🤔 2 and a half, I believe. Which was the minimum carrot we could have expected to get him with. I got no problem with the guy, I just don’t expect to see him back. Especially if we drop. Maybe time for a complete change anyway. New stick to build a completely new squad. But you never know. |
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Post by dutchblue on Apr 11, 2024 6:26:14 GMT
When we signed him a few of us didn’t think he’d cut in the championship. He’s done better than I thought he would but I have to agree with you he’s too lightweight for this league. You have a point. I just like him so much because he’s a tryer, unlike most of them. He has a good attitude, And he is a creator, but yeah, there’s no-one to create for. |
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Post by cnote on Apr 11, 2024 6:52:58 GMT
In the match against Preston, he was set free in the box by some clever football. He’s virtually one on one with the keeper but a good challenge from the defender and what looked promising was gone.
It’s was far too easy for the defender.
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Post by choc on Apr 11, 2024 7:47:42 GMT
Was it though. Three and a half year contract 🤔 2 and a half, I believe. Which was the minimum carrot we could have expected to get him with. I got no problem with the guy, I just don’t expect to see him back. Especially if we drop. Maybe time for a complete change anyway. New stick to build a completely new squad. But you never know. In League 1 Mowbray is probably one of the better managers we could get. I'm not a big fan of him but he could be a good fit. All those fans saying league 1 wouldn't be a bad thing for us, I wonder how they are feeling now. |
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Post by Professor Frink on Apr 11, 2024 8:26:30 GMT
2 and a half, I believe. Which was the minimum carrot we could have expected to get him with. I got no problem with the guy, I just don’t expect to see him back. Especially if we drop. Maybe time for a complete change anyway. New stick to build a completely new squad. But you never know. In League 1 Mowbray is probably one of the better managers we could get. I'm not a big fan of him but he could be a good fit. All those fans saying league 1 wouldn't be a bad thing for us, I wonder how they are feeling now. I dont see it as the disaster some make it out to be. Weve been there before and well likely be there again in the next 50 years. Since we got relegated from the prem there are plenty of examples of teams who have been down there and recovered into far better positions than we have/or we are......Ipswich, sunderland, Cov, Brighton, wolves, brentford and luton. that being said, id rather avoid it. |
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Post by cnote on Apr 11, 2024 9:03:57 GMT
Absolutely this.
I think a season or two down there might set us back short term but ultimately once we have that confidence to think we can win every game we will.
Lots of deadwood to get out in playing and non playing staff. Set up some really strong scouting networks in Asia, Africa, North America and Australia for cheap prospects to sell on for big profits.
I’m still extremely excited about the future.
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Post by choc on Apr 11, 2024 9:24:33 GMT
In League 1 Mowbray is probably one of the better managers we could get. I'm not a big fan of him but he could be a good fit. All those fans saying league 1 wouldn't be a bad thing for us, I wonder how they are feeling now. I dont see it as the disaster some make it out to be. Weve been there before and well likely be there again in the next 50 years. Since we got relegated from the prem there are plenty of examples of teams who have been down there and recovered into far better positions than we have/or we are......Ipswich, sunderland, Cov, Brighton, wolves, brentford and luton. that being said, id rather avoid it. And quite a few that have struggled |
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Post by Professor Frink on Apr 11, 2024 9:38:44 GMT
I dont see it as the disaster some make it out to be. Weve been there before and well likely be there again in the next 50 years. Since we got relegated from the prem there are plenty of examples of teams who have been down there and recovered into far better positions than we have/or we are......Ipswich, sunderland, Cov, Brighton, wolves, brentford and luton. that being said, id rather avoid it. And quite a few that have struggled yep, and if there is one club that would find the difficult route back- it would be this one... however financial strength is a huge advantage in football - and even more so in League 1 given the rules around spending |
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Post by honkybluenose on Apr 11, 2024 9:50:37 GMT
Mowbray thought Bielik was a Centre Back so some smart prat at the club let Long go. Week later Bielik and Roberts injured. Aiwu who wasn't even on the bench is starting and we are knackered! Brilliant I wouldn’t argue with Bielik being a centre back but irrespective of that his best partner would have been Long. Good teams are built on a solid back four. IMO Bielik and Long would have given us that. Even one of those with Roberts. Sanderson would be a reasonable 4th choice. Aiwu a disaster |
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Post by bubba on Apr 11, 2024 11:17:28 GMT
When we signed him a few of us didn’t think he’d cut in the championship. He’s done better than I thought he would but I have to agree with you he’s too lightweight for this league. Yep I was one of those few, not to mention concern over hs serious injury and feel exactly thee same, done better than I thought, injury not really been an issue (touch wood) and more than most of them has clearly ran hs heart out trying to fight against our fall down the table.
He's also chipped in with a few goals which wasn't really in his profile based on his career before us but for all that yes he is also lightweight which would be less of an issue if the rest of the team wasn't so collectively small too. He'ss probably the one I'd drop to put Hall in and get some pace and outside width to stretch the oppositon a bit more instead of just watching them put 10 bodies centrally in and around their box and wait for us to lose it.
----------------------------? ? ? ?
---BACUNA-------------STANSFIELD-------------HALL
------------------BIELIK--------------PAIK
BUCHANAN----SANDERSON---FOGARTY-----DRAMEH
----------------------------RUDDY
Bench: PRITCHARD, MIYOSHI, DEMBELE, JJ, LAIRD, SUNJIC, ?, ?, ETHERIDGE
I'm not a fan of chucking kids into a relegation battle but had enough of seeing Aiwu in the back four and Fogarty is a lump, ideally would have Roberts back but how long is a piece of string?
Quite honestly we need goalscorers n the team and on the bench, if Bacuna is having one of his off days get Dembele on, yes he doesn't defend well but we need goalscorers on the pitch. Pritchard and Miyoshi give that real alternative to come off the bench. Sunjic just becase he'll run his heart out and Drameh who was slack last night on the left to go back on the right for the increasingly ineffectual Laird. The main complaint of QPR fans about Laird was that as their season disintegrated he went missing.
Which just leaves who to play up front? The $64,000 question.
Someone the other day (sorry forget who) suggested GG, didn't really like the idea at the time but it's grown on me since then and could see him doing a job with his back to goal. Not interested in Hogan, what my eyes tell me are backed up by his appalling XG record scoring one goal from an XG over 4 and he's meant to be a striker? BTW JJ and Dembele are hitting amost double their respective XGs whilst Bacuna, Stansfield, Miyohi and Juke are all more or less matching theirs, but Hogan, no it's uterly shite and he doesn't even really help solve the lack of a focal point up there.
Alongside Hogan I don't think Tyler Roberts or Keshi Anderson have shown anything to warrant further inclusion and as said I'd keep Aiwu out of too unless he was an alternative as an emergency striker, physically he would offer more than most and he isn't bad technically. Longelo maybeat a push would be another option. I wouldn't use Dixon, I just don't think he'd help from what I've seen of him, in fact I'd be more inclined to use Harley Hamilton or Kamara who are midfielders because I think they'd physically do more for the first team playing out of positon than Dixon would playing his own position. I'm no writing him off and I'm not going to slate him but I just don't believe he'd bring the right character and phyical traits into the first team that we need.
All that said, it's probably too late. The games and points are there, but how are you supposed to have any faith n many of these players now?
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Post by dutchblue on Apr 11, 2024 12:10:39 GMT
At this stage I would be honestly willing to try anyone who is above 5 foot 6 inches up front Bubba.
Problem is, we seem to have been collecting lightweight plastic garden gnomes.
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Post by bubba on Apr 11, 2024 12:20:31 GMT
At this stage I would be honestly willing to try anyone who is above 5 foot 6 inches up front Bubba. Problem is, we seem to have been collecting lightweight plastic garden gnomes. That's why the GG idea has grown on me, as said can't remember who suggested it and I really wasn't keen but think we need that physical presence more than we need pace in a front man right now, especially if brnging Hall back into the forward line. He's a good size, decent in the air and whilst not especially mobile can run at a fair lick when into his stride. Mostly though I'd be happy for him to just be a trget to hit and him lay it off to one of the 3 behind him, which tbf is mostly what we'd be looking for Juke to do. The biggest upside would be freeing Stansfield from being shackled by the CBs, you'd still get his workrate and mobility and it's all just a lot less one dimenional.
PS
I'd also argue we are in fact already playing a player as a striker who is out of position, better to use one with different physical traits.
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Post by cnote on Apr 11, 2024 12:35:11 GMT
Has GG, played up front before?
I’m surprised he’s being mentioned for a role up front. I would rather risk him at Cb than as a striker. I suppose at this stage anything is worth a try.
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Post by bluescharlie on Apr 11, 2024 12:36:15 GMT
When Gardner come on yesterday I expected a straight swap and you leave him out wide/up top to go long. Instead Pritchard moves out there and Gardner went central. It seems like that’s the obvious thing to do, especially when you look devoid of inspiration, just get the lumps up top and go long.
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