Birmingham City Game - Friendly

[brookfox]

Stuff.

I used to live of Anstey Lane, just off Great Meadow. Anyway, no idea how that's relevant!

[Mark]

Two stunning goals from Fryatt and Porter, more than made the match worthwhile.

No idea why Pearson is preferring both Adams and Dyer on the wings, Adams looks useful but not the best 45 minutes from him, and Dyer was pretty ineffective apart from one cross, I suppose they are the safe option as Gradel will try to have an impact every time he manages to get a pass to him.

Promising overall though, we would have won but for the class of Phillips coming on.

[Free Falling Foxes]

Brum take on the friendly

[Sparky]

I used to live of Anstey Lane, just off Great Meadow. Anyway, no idea how that's relevant!

Ah relevant enough !!

[MikeyT]

Just got back. Thought it was a very entertaining game. Fryatt and Gradel looked great. Have to say i thought Kishishev had a really good first half and Tunchev looks ok. He just played things simple and didnt try to be too clever. Looks very promising for the 9th August.

[Mark]

Oh yeah Tunchev was immense. The Bulgarian edition of Kisnorbo.

[DanTheFox07]

Coming from the man who as been slagging Fryatt off all summer!!

Bet you will be one of the fans loving him in a few weeks!

To be fair most people slag fryatt off, funny how people change there perception of a player! all he had ever needed is an organised management team behind him and the fitness which is obviously a part of his game he has lacked for last couple of season`s I for one will be back him to do well this season.

[colbo68]

Sounded very encouraging, both off the radio and from the phone call i've just received.

Apparently, Tunchev was a rock. Which is also pleasing.

having just come from the game here is my summary:

1. Howard has got to go - he's as crap this year as he was last

2. Fryatt is on fire, never put a foot wrong and scored a scorcher

3. Gradel looks very hungry

4. Tunchev good - although marking suspect, not sure about Gilbert (too weak)

5. The pace of the 'second half' side was much quicker than that of the first half, which was encouraging

6. Kevin Phillips is quality - his second goal was a beauty - if we had a striker of his calibre at the club i think promotion would be nailed on

[foxer]

Really pleased with that game. Loads of positives; Morrison was solid, Fryatt class, Gradel a real handful and his final delivery was brilliant. Was pleased with adams too, and oakley looked decent.

Well done lads.

[MikeyT]

having just come from the game here is my summary:

1. Howard has got to go - he's as crap this year as he was last

2. Fryatt is on fire, never put a foot wrong and scored a scorcher

3. Gradel looks very hungry

4. Tunchev good - although marking suspect, not sure about Gilbert (too weak)

5. The pace of the 'second half' side was much quicker than that of the first half, which was encouraging

6. Kevin Phillips is quality - his second goal was a beauty - if we had a striker of his calibre at the club i think promotion would be nailed on

Agree with all that. Especially about Howard. He just looks like he couldnt give a stuff. Thought Gilbert did ok to be honest. Him and Gradel down that side would see me very happy!

[ibbosuk]

If we lose at Palace our confidence will be at rock bottom come the first home game, with back 2 back defeats.

The defence has not been up to it all pre-season.

WE NEED TO BUY A STRIKER!!!!

YOU LOT with your everything is coming up roses thread .. (((MAKES ME WANNA PUKE)))

[JoeyB]

First half was a bore - highlight of the first half was fyatts nice finish!

everyone but a few looked, Tunchev was solid, although we conceded 3 goals, 2 were tap ins

1 from hendo save another header going wide phillips got his head to and 3rd was a good finish

DJ was shite tho' like normal

Weso should have scored as should chambers from the 1-1 (clinical finisher a thracian)

Levi's goal was a beaut

[Milky]

Gilbert didn't look very convincing. I'd like to see chambers at RB instead maybe.

Little worried about who will partner Tunchev at CB. Hobbs was shakey, pretty much like the other CB's.

[smokey]

To be fair most people slag fryatt off, funny how people change there perception of a player! all he had ever needed is an organised management team behind him and the fitness which is obviously a part of his game he has lacked for last couple of season`s I for one will be back him to do well this season.

I have never slagged him off, backed him since he as been here!

The problem is the lack of regular chances as a striker, he was our best attacker last pre-season but Allen never gave him a go, when he did play last year it wasnt a good run of games plus played in midfield.

Lets hope he stays fit and Pearson starts him first 5/6 games because if he does i think he will be our top scorer next season!

[Sods]

Just got back.

Would like to see how Chambers does at right back instead of Gilbert. However I thought Gilbert did well with Gradel.

Tunchev looked very good, winning headers, keeping the ball. What i liked was winning headers and sending them short or long to a team mate. Hobbs was a bit shaky did ok, Morrison had a good game I thought, didn't see the Kettering game but that was a good half from him I thought. Mattock looked good however, anyone see him clapping the fans at the end, think hes off after making sure people saw it imo.

Adams looked good going forward, Dyer didn't make much impact until Pearson told him to get his act together then had a brief 5 minutes, but at least he is attacking defenders. Oakley and Kishishev were alright as was Weso. Not much creativity until the act of Gradel came on. Running at players, fast crosses, fighting for the ball, making things happern and scuffle with other players. Awesome.

Fryatt looked sharper as did Deej but just shoot DJ! Ashley Chambers looked good enough how ever should of scored.

Looking forward to the season even more, Levi scored a belter as did Matty. To be honest we played the better football, looked better, only difference was finishing. If our strikers watched Phillips tonight I hoped they learnt something. Great finisher.

[ibbosuk]

We proved more than a match for Birmingham and despite the loss ive seen plenty tonight that gives me hope for a decent season . For me big plusses tonight for Tunchev , Kishishev , Fryatt and Gradel . Also solid displays from Oakley , Weso , Hobbs . Porter was in and out the game tonight but the quality he shown for his goal was excellant . The same for Fryatts effort , nothing on 25 yards out no support so he cuts inside and bends 1 in to the top corner .

As for Gradel this guy looks the buisness . The Brum left back was turned inside out on many occasions as Max ran him ragged . Gradel is as comfortable cutting inside or going outside , he was helped by Weso offering him an option inside more often than not and he put in a few dangerous crosses . Birmingham were visably worried by him . I think young Maxi is absolutley banging down the managers door for a starting berth

Oh nowt to worry about then......sounds like we won 5-0.....What was the score again ????

[Simi]

Just got back and I must say I was impressed with that.

First of all Tunchev. For me, looked very solid and the things that impressed me about him were the things that pissed me off about Kisnorbo and McAuley. Firstly, I'm not sure I saw him play a long ball all night. Everytime it was a simple pass to either wing back, Hobbs or the wingers which was very nice to see. Won his header 9 times out of 10 which can't be frowned at. I'd say Hobbs will be his most likely partner, although he was at fault for the first goal.

Full backs far from convinced me. Gilbert didn't have a great game defensively, I'd much rather see Chambers start there against Palace. Looks far more assured compared to Gilbert I think. Mattock was weak defensivley as well I'd say we certainly need cover whether he is staying or not.

I think Gradel has to start ahead of Adams, he offers so much more both on and off the ball. Always needs to occupy a full back whereas Adams can be left to run at a full back. End product was more consistent than Adams as well. Dyer and Porter is a problem for Pearson as well. Levi showed he was more than capable today and I'd say Dyer's end product was bad.

Fryatt and DJ were the standout stikers, although DJ less so. Fryatt looked lively on the ball but just lacks that something to turn his possesion of the ball into an end product more often. Howard won a bit in the air, but his control wasn't the best. Would like to see Campbell and Fryatt partnered together.

Central midfield still needs to be worked on, none of them seem to be hammering down a starting place, especially Oakley.

An enjoyable game and plenty to take from it.

[Houdini Logic]

The people who keep saying we need to sort our defence out need to stop looking at the final result and get to a Pre-Season game or two.

[Houdini Logic]

Central midfield still needs to be worked on, none of them seem to be hammering down a starting place, especially Oakley.

Kishishev

[colbo68]

The people who keep saying we need to sort our defence out need to stop looking at the final result and get to a Pre-Season game or two.

i agree, although im unimpressed with Gilbert defensively and would play Chambers at right back - i like the look of the centre backs and reckon they will gel with time

[Fox You Forest]

I thought they played some very decent stuff tonight.

Fryatt's was a good goal but everyone but the Birmingham defence knew he was coming inside and going to try and bend it round the keeper so it's not just our defence that looks a little rusty.

I thought Clemence looked good for a change Mattock was steady. If Howard gets a starting place instead of Fryatt i may turn to self harm!

Tunchev looked good aswell but you can clearly see he isnt match fit he was labouring near the end and nearly scored with a decent finish(at the wrong end)

[Sods]

I actually enjoyed a home friendly.

Bizzare.

Actually a home game!

I thought they played some very decent stuff tonight.

Fryatt's was a good goal but everyone but the Birmingham defence knew he was coming inside and going to try and bend it round the keeper so it's not just our defence that looks a little rusty.

I thought Clemence looked good for a change Mattock was steady. If Howard gets a starting place instead of Fryatt i may turn to self harm!

Tunchev looked good aswell but you can clearly see he isnt match fit he was labouring near the end and nearly scored with a decent finish(at the wrong end)

[renards]

Oh nowt to worry about then......sounds like we won 5-0.....What was the score again ????

Glass half full?

Don't be so negative your miserable old sod.

There were a lot of good points in the game

[Sparky]

I thought they played some very decent stuff tonight.

Fryatt's was a good goal but everyone but the Birmingham defence knew he was coming inside and going to try and bend it round the keeper so it's not just our defence that looks a little rusty.

I thought Clemence looked good for a change Mattock was steady. If Howard gets a starting place instead of Fryatt i may turn to self harm!

Tunchev looked good aswell but you can clearly see he isnt match fit he was labouring near the end and nearly scored with a decent finish(at the wrong end)

[Milky]

I thought they played some very decent stuff tonight.

Fryatt's was a good goal but everyone but the Birmingham defence knew he was coming inside and going to try and bend it round the keeper so it's not just our defence that looks a little rusty.

I thought Clemence looked good for a change Mattock was steady. If Howard gets a starting place instead of Fryatt i may turn to self harm!

Tunchev looked good aswell but you can clearly see he isnt match fit he was labouring near the end and nearly scored with a decent finish(at the wrong end)

WTF!?