So Birmingham are now up to third, sitting on the shoulder of Southampton and just 6 points behind ourselves. Given all that has happened at the club, Hughton has done a fabulous job. Whilst Allardyce had the luxury of buying Nolan for £4m, Hughton has had to cope with asset stripping of his squad, with very little money to bring in new recruits.
Tonight's victory over Pompey was narrow but Birmingham are comfortably top of the current form league and pose a real threat. We really could do with Barnsley turning them over on Saturday!
Top of the league but still has to have a go at big Sam.......Clearly not a football person
ReplyDeleteI might eat my words but I think we will get automatic promotion. However I also think the Brums will get the second spot now.
ReplyDeleteAnd Brum still have to visit the hammers and have some tough away trips coming up.
ReplyDeletekevin in manchester writes..
ReplyDeleteyes, when they started winning about six weeks ago I thought they would be our major rival. Soton are imploding and Cardiff don't have much strength in depth .. so Brum look to be the likely contender for top spot. Although they are prone to away wobbles.. just as well we have the oportunity to take three points off them and Soton- equally suspect away- when they come to UP.. still as I have always said - nip and tuck, nip and tuck all the way to the end.
Wasn't our (West ham's) squad stripped too? Demba Ba, Scott Parker, Matthew Upson all left and were all first team players?
ReplyDeletefrom Phil, Midlands Hammer:
ReplyDeleteI was at St Andrews last night. Birmingham didn't create a clear chance for the first 85mins, but were solid and passed the ball well (unlike ourselves). However, they had no cutting edge, and have no-one who could cut it in the Premier. Pompey were pretty comfortable apart from one moment's loss of concentration. Looking at the respective line-ups Pompey's looked much stronger, so you have to say Hughton's done an amazing job, and done it without lumping it long. However, with all the games they've played they surely must run out of steam before long. Mind you, in such a lacklustre league they could still make it.
blues1875
ReplyDeletei don't think we will get automatic promotion and may not even stay in the play-offs.
we have had a great run which may or may not continue but a fact is we have a small squad and only three strikers. we have missed ziggy for the last two and king maybe injured again last night as well.
Alwilsh you lost half a dozen inc spector who's been solid but we have lost about 15 players from last year.
in August i would have settled for half way but what Chris Hughton has done is manager of the year quality.
i still think you will go straight back but that second spot is there for anyone who can peak in April / May.
They were very lucky to grap a win at the end of the match last night. But then again, so were we against Milwall.
ReplyDelete