HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday afternoon’s crunch Championship fixture at St Andrew’s by delving into their forums.

“We are not a big club. We are not a great footballing team. We have bargain basement players and no money to compete at a higher level. However, there are worse scenarios to be in”, “At the start of the year I never thought we would be in this position”, “We are overachieving. Things are good.”

“I’m still in shock at this awesome result. Roll on Ipswich.” City go into Saturday’s game eighth in the table with fans keen to push on for a top-six place. Last Saturday’s 3-0 win at Derby stunned their own supporters as much as the Rams and took their unbeaten league run to four games.

Many Bluenoses aren’t getting carried away despite this result. “We are on target for 70 points and that would over the last 10 seasons give us a finish of around eighth or ninth. Finishing in the top third with one of the smallest squads and lowest wage budgets would be an excellent achievement.”

“Why not believe we can get in the top six? The players believe it and we haven’t been outside the top 10 all season”, “It depends what our aspirations are. To be honest I have no idea if we are really aiming for the play-offs, trying to make it look as if we are or just bumbling along.”

“We’ve got a rag-tag army of free transfers, youth and retired players. It’s a miracle that we’re anywhere other than the in the bottom three”, “Next week’s ‘ten-bob and a bag of chips’ derby with Ipswich is another huge test of manager Gary Rowett’s management skills.”

Gary Rowett

“The second city in all of England has at last got the manager it deserves. I just wish fans could catch up and embrace the revolution under way at St Andrew’s”, “Without doubt the best signing of the season.” Fans welcomed this week’s news that the former Burton boss signed a new contract.

“I love Gary Rowett and think he’s the best thing to happen to Blues for a while, I really do”, “He is building a team for us with virtually nothing. I believe he will keep building and adding quality as we go. I’m bursting with genuine excitement about our team, our manager and our staff.”

“Gary continues to perform what can only be described as a mini miracle, squeezing every inch of effort and belief out of the players he has at his disposal. Most of them were signed from lower league teams”, “He has had us punching above our weight for a very long time.”

Fans had voiced concerns about his “inability to switch things around tactically” but that was before their remarkable win at Derby last Saturday. “He needs to change his tactics because teams do a good job on us at St Andrew’s as we don’t change what we do week-in, week-out.”

“In Gary I trust, 100 per cent. We are punching way above our weight. This side on paper is certainly no better than 15th and we are currently eighth”, “He has steadied the ship and got great results from a bunch of players that in all honesty are not that brilliant. He has brought pride back to the club.”

Formation

“Give me regular 1-0 and 2-1 wins any day of the week over regular 2-3 or 3-4 losses. As supporters we want to see our team win most of the time”, “With a five-man midfield and a lone striker who can run all day and hold the ball up well, our tactics are so Alex McLeish-like it’s untrue.”

“Rowett plays with a lone striker. He doesn’t play two up front as a pair”, “We do not have the midfielders to play a 4-4-2 formation effectively”, “Rowett has to play a five-man midfield because his players are so limited and we would be swamped otherwise.”

“Our home form isn’t the best, yet on the road we’re a match for anyone.” Birmingham’s success this season has been built on an industrious counter-attacking game which many fans see as playing to the strengths of an organised and hard-working but limited playing squad.

“Some regulars say we are a bit defensive. If true then it’s understandable given the standard of our squad”, “We struggle to create much at St Andrew’s”, “When we press high with a quick tempo we are usually very good. When we play slowly and back off we end up being poor and losing.”

City’s starting XI at Derby last Saturday started with the three midfielders and one striker which have been the hallmark of Rowett’s tenure in charge. Often playing effectively in a 4-5-1 shape, the three man central midfield set out to contain the Rams’ attacking threat from midfield before the break.

The team cast off their shackles (above) in the second half of the game, reverting to their preferred counter-attacking formation. Moving playmaker Jon Toral into a central role was seen as the key tactical switch. This brought the central and wide midfielders into the game more effectively.

“Boring defensive Gary, eh?”, “Blues are playing a different style of play and something we have not seen for a long time”, “The midfielders were fantastic and Rowett changed the playing style to boot”, “I have been one of the first to moan at his tactics but he was spot on against Derby.”

“The move to 4-2-3-1 in the second half worked. Toral made a difference centrally and he was close to scoring”, “That was the best result under Gary Rowett and our best result for a few years”, “To go there and win is good. To go there and stuff them is amazing. Wow, wow and another wow.”

The Transfer Window

“Roll on January and let’s see what gives”, “Our players work so hard you also need skill as well”, “We need some new blood in the playing squad and we need it now.” Many fans believe that reinforcements are needed in the January window for them to maintain any play-off challenge.

“With the exception of centre-back Michael Morrison, most of our players are average. When the wheels come off they all revert back to playing their normal standard. This is not a dig at the players, but an acceptance that they are not outstanding and what they do for Rowett is amazing.”

Derby 0 - 3 Birmingham

“This is madness”, “I’m speechless”, “Sorry for disbelieving, I am not worthy”, “You and me both, and many other Bluenoses”, “I had to do something with work today and I’m only just home. What the hell happened?”, “It was a tight first half. We destroyed them in the second.”

“Playing 4-3-3 is brave against this lot”, “Derby will murder us playing 4-3-3. I see a battering coming, a 4-0 home win”, “I fear we might get thrashed today.” City supporters feared the worst before the game when the saw their starting XI and realised they were playing in a 4-3-3 formation.

“Derby seem a little uncertain how to break through the Blues’ lines at present”, “They are not getting through our defences”, “They are finding us a tough nut to crack. We only need them to make a mistake and we are into them”, “That was a very professional first 45 minutes.”

This was a game of two halves, with Derby unable to find a way through City’s well-marshalled back lines before the break. That all changed after the break as a Paul Robinson header, a floated Stephen Gleeson shot and a late Maikel Kieftenbeld pile-driver earned the visitors a famous victory.

“The scoreline ‘flattered Rowett’s team of donkeys’, apparently.” Some City fans highlighted a number of disparaging Rams’ comments after the game. “They don’t like it rammed up ‘em”, “It doesn’t say much about their expensive team of misfits. Premier League? They’re having a laugh.”

Nottingham Forest 1 - 1 Birmingham

“Two points dropped and not one gained, these are the matches we need to turn into wins”, “We weren’t skilful enough to take advantage of the situation”, “Not a bad point away from home but we really struggle to hold on to a lead”, “We would have gladly taken a draw before the kick-off.”

City opened the scoring on 24 minutes when a diving header from Toral found the net but Forest hit back six minutes later when Matt Mills nodded home David Vaughan’s freekick. Vaughan was later dismissed for a high challenge on Clayton Donaldson but City couldn’t make this advantage count.

“I’ll take that result but the game was there for us tonight”, “That game did show how unbelievably poor the Championship is. Oh for some attractive football, something to get excited about”, “I was there and thought it was a good game. We shaded it but didn’t do quite enough to win.”

Birmingham 1 - 2 Bournemouth (FA Cup)

“At least today wasn’t another 8-0 defeat. My ticker could not have taken another one of those”, “Bournemouth are now a Premier League side. Compare that performance to the one today and there is no doubt that we have progressed as a team and a club in the last 15 months or so.”

With both sides fielding many fringe players, Birmingham atoned to some degree for the 8-0 mauling the Cherries inflicted on them last season. They opened the scoring when Morrison headed home five minutes before the break but the visitors equalised four minutes from a Lee Tomlin penalty.

City were awarded a spotkick after the break which James Vaughan missed and the visitors went on to earn a fourth round tie against Pompey when Glenn Murray bundled home with five minutes left. “Gary Rowett won’t be too bothered. We knew that he would rest players when he needed to.”

“Plenty of positives”, “The players were clapped off the pitch which gives you some idea of how the fans thought we played today”, “On the train home and absolutely gutted with the outcome. We had so many chances to win that game. Again, frustratingly, individual errors cost us.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Tomasz Kuszczak has been a brilliant signing for us. I was sceptical but am happy to admit I was wrong.” The 33-year-old ex-Brighton and Wolves keeper “has put in some excellent performances after a shaky start”, “He needs to use his experience to lead the back four with more confidence.”

“The famous Kuszczak fumble”, “He does not have a massive presence in the box. He frightens me every time he comes two yards off his line. His distribution is poor for a keeper of his pedigree”, “Although he can be very commanding vocally, he should be a bigger and better influence.”

“I like Paul Caddis but his ball retention is poor and he can get picked out defensively from time to time.” The 27-year-old ex-Swindon right-back “is great going forward, one of the best in the league but he lacks discipline at the back”, “We don’t have a penalty taker other than him in the squad.”

“We are all starting to see Caddis’s defensive frailties but his cross for our goal at Nottingham was superb”, “He’s a bright attacking full-back”, “One of our better players and probably the best at carrying the ball forward from defence”, “He can be a weak link and has been very iffy defensively.”

“Can I say that there was one sad sight against Bournemouth and that was Jonathan Grounds trying to make a game of his position? He’s struggling and Gary needs to step in and sort this out. Rest him from the team so he can have a breather and regain his composure. It’s doing no-one any favours.”

“I have had enough of Grounds.” The 27-year-old ex-Oldham left-back’s “positioning is awful, often getting caught on the wing and on the wrong side of his man. He overlaps but then doesn’t cross the ball”, “He was skinned a few times but had Tom Ince in his pocket against Derby most of the time.”

“Whilst Jonathan Spector is more solid than Robinson at centre-half, he is a liability when it comes to clearing his lines.” The 29-year-old former West Ham and Charlton defender “is Mr Versatile. He played at right-back against Bournemouth but found Marc Pugh a real handful”, “He has been fairly solid when called upon.”

“We are a team led and inspired by the best club captain this club or any club in this country has ever had, Paul Robinson.” The 37-year-old ex-Bolton man “must be first choice to play with Morrison if fit and not exhausted. He can get us into trouble when dealing with meat-and-drink headers.”

“My nine-year-old lad just made me laugh. He made up a new song by himself, ‘Robbo’s old and still scored goals’”, “The Derby goal was his third of the season. He’s regularly proving people wrong”, “He’s a decent passer of the ball, starting us out from the back well”, “What an old man he is!”

Michael Morrison

“I wouldn’t have played Morrison against Bournemouth. If he gets injured we’re screwed.” The 27-year-old ex-Charlton centre-back “has been an absolute rock in the side”, “Since his first game he has changed our team defensively”, “He’s Gary Rowett’s best import by far and our best defender.”

“Morrison is a very important player in this league. We struggled when he was injured”, “He put in an absolutely heroic performance against Cardiff [in a 1-0 home win] just before Christmas. He dealt with Kenwyne Jones superbly and was a threat at corners”, “He’s a proper centre-half.”

Central Midfielders

“David Davis has played a vital role in getting a poor team up the table but he’s so limited it’s painful.” The 24-year-old ex-Wolves midfielder “gives us more control with his running and tackling”, “He can’t pass which anyone with a pair of eyes has been able to see for a year”, “Certainly playing for his place.”

“Totally agree about passion and Davis”, “He was like a man possessed against Bournemouth making fantastic die-hard tackles and his passing was far better than usual”, “He capped off a fine week with a great game at Derby too”, “Gleeson has passing and technique. Davis has power and athleticism.”

“Kieftenbelter, 3-0”, “Mike, 25-yard volley, boom”, “Maikel Kieftenbeld with a thundering volley on the edge of the box, what a goal.” The 25-year-old ex-Groningen holding player capped off a fine display last Saturday with team’s third goal. “A work of art is a work of art”, “He was everywhere.”

“If Dutch Mike doesn’t become a terrace hero, then I give in”, “I love that desire”, “His first touch can be very hairy which means he loses the ball instantly or when playing a hurried pass. He’s a tad lightweight for all his tenacity and bravery and can be pushed around by bruisers in this division.”

“Andrew Shinnie offers something different to Jon Toral.” The 26-year-old ex-Inverness Caledonian Thistle playmaker has been a fringe player lately. “He started well against Bournemouth and faded”, “One deep cross was headed back to him eight-yards out but he took a touch and lost possession.”

Stephen Gleeson

“The only player that can play that role in front of the back four is Gleeson. In our current squad he’s almost the first name on the teamsheet. The role he plays is so pivotal and nobody else can do it”, “His range of passing is fantastic. Even under pressure he can pick a pass and retain possession.”

The 27-year-old ex-Milton Keynes man “is a deep-lying playmaker”, “Without Gleeson we don’t function as a football team. He is integral to the way we play”, “He starts our attacks like a quarter-back”, “He’s one of our only central players I trust to pass the ball over 10 yards to a team mate.”

“Defensively Gleeson is not good at all but without him you have to go direct from back to front rather than giving it to Davis or Mike and asking them to start things off”, “He the best with the ball but the worst without the ball”, “Defensively he is one of the worst I have seen play at this level.”

Jon Toral

“If Jon Toral is on his game, so are we”, “Head and shoulders the best footballer we have”, “He has fantastic touch and awareness and you forget that he is only 20-year-old at times”, “The past few weeks have convinced me that we won’t be keeping Toral long-term. He is too good for us.”

“Toral oozes class”, “A fantastic player, enjoy him while he’s here.” The Arsenal loanee spent last season at Brentford. “He has instant control and wonderful awareness of the space that he creates for himself. His decision-making is alert and most of all he delivers incisive passes to a blue shirt.”

“The Championship’s Juan Mata”, “Jon is not blessed with off-the-mark blistering acceleration but he’s a lovely footballer at it’s a pleasure to see him playing for our club”, “He is wasted out wide. It’s not his position and he isn’t in the game enough there”, “He can’t run but knows where the goal is.”

Wide Midfielders

“We have missed David Cotterill’s crosses.” The 28-year-old ex-Doncaster right winger has not recently featured in league action having had knee and hamstring injuries. “His corners and freekicks have been missed and he put in that sublime cross for Morrison’s goal against Bournemouth.”

“Viv Solomon-Otabor is very quick and strong for his size”, “He comes from the bench to do damage and will turn out to be as good if not better than Demarai Gray.” The 20-year-old youth product “is fast and has instant acceleration which surprises defenders. I see more in him than I saw in Dimi.”

“Will Buckley is a fairly uncomplicated winger who likes to get to the byline and get crosses in”, “If in form, Buckley will be our best player. He was a very good player under Gus Poyet at Brighton”, “I don’t think he’s match fit, is he?”, “We will probably only get 45 minutes out of him against Ipswich.”

“Great news, he’s a quality player at this level.” Buckley has arrived on a one-month loan from Sunderland and the 26-year-old appeared from the bench late on against Derby. “We have to make sure we get players into the box to make the most of his crosses, something we don’t often do.”

Jacques Maghoma

“It’s great to see a winger when they are on their game”, “See what happens with faith, structure and training with Gary and his staff”, “Gary played Maghoma on the left wing instead of Dimi Gray against Milton Keynes. He had his best game in a Blues shirt, got some good crosses in and scored.”

“The talent is obviously there.” The 28-year-old former Owl “can be inconsistent but that is par for the course with wingers. Maghoma has created and scored enough to show that he is a very decent Championship winger”, “In his career he has been more of an assist king than a scorer.”

“Maghoma is playing a blinder on the left again against Forest”, “I used to say his best position was behind the striker but after watching him on the left wing I am not so sure now”, “He’s a fantastic player for us. He offers loads in attack and links up well with Toral and Donaldson which is vital.”

Strikers

“Gary, can we have another striker now please?” “Our problem of not finishing is not confined to James Vaughan.” Although City have netted 34 times this season, only three fewer than Town, many of their fans would like to see their strike force bolstered with some additional firepower.

James Vaughan

“Vaughan is pacey. He puts himself about well and is quite effective in the air for his height and has a one-in-three scoring rate”, “I can’t fault his effort and desire but if that is his usual level of finishing I can see why Huddersfield let him go”, “He’s a hard-working unselfish player who looks the part.”

“Well, he’s no Gaby Agbonlahor, but he’ll do”, “The jury’s still out on Vaughan.” The 27-year-old former Canary is on loan from the Terriers until the end of the season. “He works hard, is brave and aggressive but missed three chances against Bournemouth including a penalty”, “He needs a goal.”

“Vaughan has done well enough when he has played. He has led the line well but nowadays people seem to judge strikers on goals alone and not their overall contribution which has been quite good since joining us”, “He should be playing in a two. He would do well with the Don as a partner.”

Clayton Donaldson

“Donaldson is a brilliant lone striker. He runs the channels, occupies defenders without relying on others and can control the ball. He is strong, can hold it up and wait for others to catch him up and scores goals”, “His hold-up play and awareness of what is going on around him are outstanding.”

“He fits us perfectly.” The 31-year-old ex-Brentford frontman “has an instinctive intelligence”, “The ball doesn’t bounce off Donaldson when it comes to him. He has a decent touch”, “He isn’t clinical or composed enough in the box. His shooting from a decent range also leaves a lot to be desired.”

“The Don transforms us from an average team to a good team single-handedly”, “If he was a clinical finisher, we would never have seen him in a Blues shirt”, “He needs to complain louder and react to the fouls he draws from defenders. They’re a big part of his game”, “He’s the talisman for our team.”

City Fans’ Thoughts on ITFC and the Game

“This is the biggest game for a good while. There are no excuses not to be there”, “We are right up there and in with a shout so every game now is huge. No more excuses - back the lads”, “Let's hope it's a good turnout after our two East Midlands results. The crowd can play a big part.”

“Get the players right on it.” With so much riding on Saturday’s game, City fans are keen to see the game played in a “good, old-fashioned, proper hostile St Andrew’s atmosphere, one that we have been famous for and can be proud of as fans and players. It hasn't been like that for a while.”

“A tough game but Ipswich also had a slight wobble. The FA Cup exit will have hurt them”, “It's going to be a difficult game”, “Ipswich made 11 changes for their FA Cup replay so the play-offs are definitely a priority for them. We will see how much of a priority they are for us against our play-off rivals.”

Many see a stalemate being played out. “Ipswich are a decent team (so were Derby, mind you) but a score draw for me”, “A draw won't be a bad result for either side”, “A draw is most probably the easy way to lean but with the Derby win you just hope we have enough to grab three huge points.”

“I agree Mad Mick is an old school 4-4-2 manager and he will hit the forwards early from the back. It is harsh but the 4-3-3 we have employed so well needs to revert back to 4-2-3-1 with Toral number 10. If we hit long balls the big centre-backs will eat them up and the ball will come right back at us.”

Websites

The two busiest websites are the lively Small Heath Alliance which carries links to local news stories. The quieter Birmingham City FC Forum is another very good message board with some informative contributors.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

theipswichman added 11:51 - Jan 22 'I agree Mad Mick is an old school 4-4-2 manager and he will hit the forwards early from the back.' Actually, Mick has employed 433 for a fair few games now!
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TR11BLU added 12:28 - Jan 22 Thanks for another great insight Harry. I reckon this is nailed on a draw. They like to counter attack, it was a classic 'smash and grab' at our place, and Mick would take a draw now. 0-0 or 1-1 for me.
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jas0999 added 12:28 - Jan 22 An away win is the only acceptable outcome.
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ericclacton added 13:30 - Jan 22 Good article Harry, I saw most of the starting eleven at the fortress 1-1, far better team this term compared to last. I'm not very optimistic about this game, following the F.A. cup pantomime Tuesday, I think we will lose 2-O, but hope I'm talking out of my Rs!!!!
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Bergholtblue added 16:28 - Jan 22 The Portsmouth match will have no bearing as there will be 11 different players on the pitch. Play like we did against Leeds and we will wing 2-0. Play like we did against Preston and it'll be 1-1 again.
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gippeswyk added 18:18 - Jan 22 They've won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 6 games, beating Derby 3-0 in their last match, so they will be a tough test. Hopefully our impressive away form will see us get at least a point tomorrow, although we need all 3 to keep the pressure on the top 6.
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WestSussexBlue added 08:29 - Jan 23 The first paragraph is a very similar sound to us last season. Mighty tough this game and a draw certainly seems a likely outcome. Really hoping for three points which will keep us in touch with the top Two but a draw wouldn't be the worst result in the long run. Enjoy Boy's and Girls that are going. COYB.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 12:04 - Jan 23 Great stuff again Harry. We could grab a win today, that would lift everyone. No doubt MM would see a draw as a decent result, we must not loose.
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