By Order of The Peaky Blinders. Away to Brum Tues Oct 22nd 19-45.

[DJBlu]

Thankfully it remains 1-0. HT.

I don't think we've defended terribly, one mistake in midfield and we've been punished from the second ball.

[BWFC_Insane]

How is keshi Anderson keeping a £15m striker out of their side?

Are they saving him for a harder game?

If you were a Birmingham fan you might be concerned that we’ve been there for the absolute taking and they haven’t. And we do have quality off the bench.

I love your optimism.

NURSE!!!!

Don’t get me wrong it’s a horrid performance so far. One that sums us up in terms of why I can’t like this side.

But bar a wonder strike Birmingham haven’t threatened too much even with 500% possession.

If Bolton were top of the league and we just watched that half I’d probably be concerned against a team with game changers from the bench.

[officer_dibble]

Yeah if we keep it 1-0 and get that front three on with twenty to go we can have a go. They definitely have a couple of gears in them so we don’t want to equalise early!! We’ve not had a sniff really have we.

[HMX]

We might have quality from the bench but we’ve got three players on yellows and a ref who doesn’t want to disappoint a crowd.

[Mar]

How is keshi Anderson keeping a £15m striker out of their side?

Are they saving him for a harder game?

If you were a Birmingham fan you might be concerned that we’ve been there for the absolute taking and they haven’t. And we do have quality off the bench.

I love your optimism.

NURSE!!!!

Don’t get me wrong it’s a horrid performance so far. One that sums us up in terms of why I can’t like this side.

But bar a wonder strike Birmingham haven’t threatened too much even with 500% possession.

If Bolton were top of the league and we just watched that half I’d probably be concerned against a team with game changers from the bench.

Does very much feel like the issue that Bolton have not being able to kill off teams.

I've got confidence that Birmingham will come good and kill off this game. Bolton haven't got near them in terms of attacking levels, but Birmingham haven't blown us out of the water, almost as if they've not reached the tempo that they can. Add Stansfield on the bench too... urgh.

[DJBlu]

I'm hopelessly optimistic at times but I'm close to giving up on Arfield. I don't see what he does. Looks miles behind the game.

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm hopelessly optimistic at times but I'm close to giving up on Arfield. I don't see what he does. Looks miles behind the game.

I think the problem is he needs to play in midfield. We are asking him to do a role his legs simply aren’t up to anymore. Play him where Sheehan plays and I think he’d be very good.

[officer_dibble]

Arfield is good at stopping quick free kicks. Bet he’s great bantz as well.

[truewhite15]

Uber defensive set up, combined with Evatt's pre-match comments about Birmingham being an "outlier", would seem to me to indicate a manager who wants his bosses to think that he shouldn't be judged if we lose this one.

But going defensive with Dion up front rather than the more physical Adeboyejo is a mistake. One has a chance of holding it up and bringing hard-charging midfielders like Dempsey and Matete into play. The other has spent the last two and a half games chasing shadows.

Evatt can't control individual decisions and errors on the pitch, of the type that led to their goal and nearly led to a second. But we're a far cry from competing in this one, and his set-up has to answer for that. I said pre-game that not laying a glove on Birmingham, and handing them the game without getting out of 2nd gear, would be very "not good enough". So much for the pre-season claims of competing for the title.

[Worthy4England]

How is keshi Anderson keeping a £15m striker out of their side?

Are they saving him for a harder game?

Carrying a niggle maybe was what Derek suggested pre-match..

They've looked pretty comfy tbf, without necessarily looking great. If you can coast one all well and good.

But. Only 1 goal innit?

Arfield is putting in lads v dads tackles, no legs so ya just hook them over without trying to kill 'em. Demps disappeard post knee knock. I'd be tempted to change at HT, so I'll look forwards to it hspoening on 70 mins...

Sheehan, for the goal. Fck me. Anyone seeing that isn't picking him for TOTY.

[Spartan2]

Evatt has sucked all excitement out of the club, nothing left to enjoy. Just waiting until he goes, which is what I suspect the players are doing.

[BorsdaneWhite]

I think Josh Sheehans reign as ‘best midfielder in league one’ is over. The two playing their for Birmingham are streets ahead.

Perhaps naively, I’d assumed Matete would have been that bit of protection he needed. They’re too similar: stature, technique, in the tackle, role. Needs two robust runners ahead of him to work, as we know, and, Christ, this system massively exposes his weaknesses.

Guess we can thank their complacency that it’s just 1, but that can’t continue for another 45. Loads on bookings and look knackered/scared.

Might’ve been a bad idea loaning out both Khumbeni and Morley, in retrospect.

[brommers95]

Looks like McAtee coming on

[DJBlu]

Dare I say, let's not give up just yet.

[Worthy4England]

Uber defensive set up, combined with Evatt's pre-match comments about Birmingham being an "outlier", would seem to me to indicate a manager who wants his bosses to think that he shouldn't be judged if we lose this one.

But going defensive with Dion up front rather than the more physical Adeboyejo is a mistake. One has a chance of holding it up and bringing hard-charging midfielders like Dempsey and Matete into play. The other has spent the last two and a half games chasing shadows.

Evatt can't control individual decisions and errors on the pitch, of the type that led to their goal and nearly led to a second. But we're a far cry from competing in this one, and his set-up has to answer for that. I said pre-game that not laying a glove on Birmingham, and handing them the game without getting out of 2nd gear, would be very "not good enough". So much for the pre-season claims of competing for the title.

That first para...I can just hear it..Fcking outlier. You're chasing 2ppg, Ian. They've benched £15m of artillery. We're currently 13th - that's not because Brum are a fcking outlier.

[DJBlu]

Looks like McAtee coming on

I think it's for Dempsey as Arfield is trotting out.

Injury from the first half clearly not being risked.

[DJBlu]

Bit better. Some actual passing by Bolton leads to a blocked shot from Dion Charles.

[DJBlu]

How the feck was that not offside?

Great save Southwood.

[BWFC_Insane]

How the feck was that not offside?

Great save Southwood.

Lucky that May was greedy.

[officer_dibble]

Very daft from Sheehan. Knows he’s been outshone!