brummie

SSN on deadline day makes me want to stop going to football matches. Jim White on deadline day makes me want to stop having a television.

I remember you saying something similar but in a different context. Which context? it was probably something along the lines of, he's not good enough for the premiership or some other disparaging criticism. From what i've seen and from what you've said about him, i think he would be able to do a good job in this league. That's fair enough. I think he would do, too. i think the last time i mentioned Harewood on here was when one of the Spurs lot (KD I think) was laughing at him, until I pointed out that he had the exact same league goalscoring record as Pavyluchenko, having featured in the exact same number of games, but having only ever started (I think) two, compared to a much higher figure for Pav, whilst costing a third of the price. I'm not saying he's a better player - not at all - but I am saying that there's a player in there somewhere, and someone will get it out of him. He'll do it in the CC, for sure.

he's a huge fat fucker He's built like a brick shit house, and has a strange dinosaur / Homer Simpson hybrid head shape.

I remember you saying something similar but in a different context. Which context? He's a weird player. When he has to think about things, the result is usually poor. When he doesn't have time to think, he just has to react (goal away at Reading two years ago, beautifully taken, overhead kick at Anfield) he can be very impressive.

Marlinho will do fine in the Championship.

That's our lowest crowd in ages. I wasn't there (although I am counted as there as I am a season ticket holder and gave my ticket to a mate for today). The recession is hitting the West Midlands harder than it is anywhere else, and the excitement just isn't there this season after yet another pedestrian transfer window. Incidentally, that is a poor crowd, but Everton, for example, got quite a few crowds that small last season, whereas that is 3,000 below our lowest last year.

ALthough, both sides three games in 6 days.

*files nails* Having watched the surreal, Duchampian absurdity of our opening match against Wigan, I am quite happy to sit and watch 90 minutes of dross that results in us winning. We have a real issue at home. Away from home, we're pretty impressive, but at home, we're fecking awful, which is why MON is getting the stick he is (and those who say 'Oooh those impatient Villa fans booing after one match, like that twat Marina Hyde in the Guardian this week, do not realise this, but it was like that at home almost all last season).

Mind you, three matches in seven days and we've won them all.

This is an awful game. I'm actually glad work commitments lead to me staying at home and watching it on the telly.

Villa - Fulham has got "draw" written all over it. They'll defend, and we haven't got a clue how to open up teams who do that.

Heartwrenching seeing Martin Laursen. What a fucking lion of a player he was.

Ciaran Clark making his debut for us today, on account of us having just the ONE fit and experienced CB at the club.

News to me.

That's my situation, Brummiemag. As I said earlier, I am a season ticket holder, and I went to all the UEFA home matches, and the Intertoto ones last season. I thought at the time that MON was making the right decision in Moscow (and what a lot of people forget is that the kids played very, very well over there, and could have won, but that's by the by). Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I'd have gone tonight if I had thought we were in a better position to compete in this competition this year, but we are not. So, whilst I think they did the right thing last season, the same argument can not be used twice, so I'm at home watching on Five and sitting this one out on a matter of principle.

Not at all. A goal from Rapid and if it stays like that, they go through. Still in the balance.

I fucking love John Carew. I haven't seen a connection between fans and centre forward like this at VP since Andy Gray.

Missing Dunne. Oh yes.

Even our fans have started moaning about it. I thought they were both pens tonght, though

Tell you one way we will really, really miss Barry this season. He's one of the best penalty takers in the league.

Another good decision by the ref.

I'm glad to hear you've calmed down a bit. You were sounding a bit aereated earlier.

Blessed are the banner makers. And the cheesemakers.

Like we'd have been any different from other fans. Boo hoo, get over yourself, and possibly focus on the facts which caused your demise, not some nasty fans waving a nasty banner at you. Where did I say a 'nasty banner' caused our demise? I don't know if you'd be any different from any other fans, but if the roles had been reversed I doubt anyone in SJP would've given a shit, never mind made a banner. Well in which way were you referring to us revelling in your demise? And for what is worth, my Birmingham City supporting friends suggest that your fans were quite the same when you relegated them at St Andrews a few years ago. If you're going to get that easily upset, I think you might be following the wrong sport, mate.

I enjoyed it last season, but the format is a bit crap, despite the changes.