Brum vs Bolton (League)

[Dartisan]

/sigh\ Well there's not too many positives we can take from that performance!

Agreed, I think we lost that in midfield. How much of a whole has Holden's absence left behind!? Way too much punting of the ball in the first half, no sign of confidence in playing it on the ground. Maybe it's time to stop worrying about Chungy burning out and start him again?

..../sigh\....crap. Ruddy crap.

[officer_dibble]

Right result, they were the better team and deserved that. No arguments about much really, we'll play better than that in most matches this season.

Concerned at how we reverted to type - I can't name an occasion in the second half where we passed the ball on the ground - lumped forward at every opportunity. Play that way against Stoke they will eat us for breakfast. In fairness to those doing the lumping...we had no centre midfield. Cohen off the pace, Muamba an absolute cart horse. I'm starting to think there is something seriously wrong with Muamba, he's injured, suffering from a bereavement or something personal like that, or he was the target of some interest in January and we blocked the move so he's sulking. He didn't buzz round, infact a map of his movements today would probably tell a story, he didn't leave the centre circle as far as i could tell.

Our centre midfield is very concerning.

Mark Davies back next week hopefully, even though its West Ham, I wouldn't fancy us v Parker, Noble, Hitzelsperger...

Petrov was good today I though, not sure why he was subbed?

[James B]

only watched it in snatches but looked like we had more than enough chance to get summat. always felt we'd get beat today. like a reverse of the cup game. just a bigger game for them today.

it'll be the same next week and i just hope we keep the reebok hoodoo up on the hammers.

[TKIZ!]

Just shows how much we need a partner for Holden next season and also to try and keep Mavies fit.

[Dartisan]

Just shows how much we need a partner for Holden next season and also to try and keep Mavies fit.

And we may as well say goodbye to Cohen at the end of the season. Both Holden and Mavies out, so he has the opportunity to step in and make an impact...and is anonymous as hell. I know he's gotta be given some grace because of his grievance, but he's in the Andranik Teymourian mould I'd say.

[officer_dibble]

yeah sometimes you can carry a passenger in matches and get away with it, you can't carry two!

Mavies will be fit for the semi, its whether we are brave enough to risk him from the start v west ham.

[TKIZ!]

yeah sometimes you can carry a passenger in matches and get away with it, you can't carry two!

Mavies will be fit for the semi, its whether we are brave enough to risk him from the start v west ham.

Get rid of Cohen, Savis and snatch Stokes hand off for Moobs. We need another two CM's. If we can get Ottl then that would be brilliant, maybe even look to the bigger teams again and see what Mids are on offer, Aaron Ramsey?

[TKIZ!]

Would it be worthwhile to recall Bibi for the run in? At least if we are to get rid of him in the summer we can give him a good send off?

[Dartisan]

Right result, they were the better team and deserved that. No arguments about much really, we'll play better than that in most matches this season.

Concerned at how we reverted to type - I can't name an occasion in the second half where we passed the ball on the ground - lumped forward at every opportunity. Play that way against Stoke they will eat us for breakfast. In fairness to those doing the lumping...we had no centre midfield. Cohen off the pace, Muamba an absolute cart horse. I'm starting to think there is something seriously wrong with Muamba, he's injured, suffering from a bereavement or something personal like that, or he was the target of some interest in January and we blocked the move so he's sulking. He didn't buzz round, infact a map of his movements today would probably tell a story, he didn't leave the centre circle as far as i could tell.

Our centre midfield is very concerning.

Mark Davies back next week hopefully, even though its West Ham, I wouldn't fancy us v Parker, Noble, Hitzelsperger...

Petrov was good today I though, not sure why he was subbed?

Wasn't it him who didn't bother stretching for that ball when they scored the 2nd? Might be wrong, couldn't quite tell from the picture. Whoever it was they wanted dropping just for that. They just gave up, when they should've been running at it desperately trying to fling their leg across it.

[Dartisan]

Would it be worthwhile to recall Bibi for the run in? At least if we are to get rid of him in the summer we can give him a good send off?

Hmm, good idea. On the showing from Cohen today I would've much rather Gardner was in there (benefit of hindsight and all that, but still).

[TKIZ!]

Would it be worthwhile to recall Bibi for the run in? At least if we are to get rid of him in the summer we can give him a good send off?

Hmm, good idea. On the showing from Cohen today I would've much rather Gardner was in there (benefit of hindsight and all that, but still).

Now before peeps jump on the 'Bibi isn't the saviour' rant, by what posters have said on here he can't be much worse than Cohen and it's pretty much goes without saying that Bibi will not be a Wanderer for very much longer, no longer than two seasons anyway

[Tombwfc]

Meh, people will jump on the 'We're doomed without Holden' bandwagon, but I'm not having that. We just weren't very good. Point at shots on targets all you like, but none of Foster's saves were out of this world, or even that great at all.

We were very poor, and then an excellent finish by Elmander gave us the illusion of being competitive.

And Alonso was shite, Cohen unfit, and I still don't know what people are seeing in Wheater.

[DJBlu]

Meh, people will jump on the 'We're doomed without Holden' bandwagon, but I'm not having that. We just weren't very good. Point at shots on targets all you like, but none of Foster's saves were out of this world, or even that great at all.

We were very poor, and then an excellent finish by Elmander gave us the illusion of being competitive.

And Alonso was shite, Cohen unfit, and I still don't know what people are seeing in Wheater.

Solid no nonsense defending.

If you watch him without comparing him to Cahill then you'll see he isn't all that bad. Compare him to Zat Knight and you'll see he is very good.

[Athers]

We didn't play very well but easily could have got something given how nervous Birmingham where when we were pushing. Only Foster kept us from doing so and I guess sometimes that happens - small margins and that.. Look at Gardner's goal - good goal but it could have bounced out and who knows what happens after that. However badly we seem to be playing we're usually still in the game.

Had to laugh at our lineup which finished the game, complete madness but why not in that situation! 4-2-4 with neither of the 2 a centre midfielder. Reminded me of Blackpool at home where it came off.

Looked like a lot of folk are saving for Wembley!

[Bijou Bob]

First 35 minutes we were utter shite. I thought for a horrible minute I'd regressed back to 2009 and Mego was back. We were lucky only to be one down at that point. A good last ten minutes made us look almost respectable.

What frustrated me more than anything was our complete inability to string 2, let alone 3, passes together. Our left side was appalling, with the exception of one decent cross from Petrov, who as usual, spent more time whining than playing football.

Frankly, I didn't expect a win today and to come away with almost a draw was something of a result in itself. I am however, very worried about next week. Pish poor team playing to avoid injury against a team who are desperate for points
? It's not looking good.

[Worthy4England]

The other really pi$$ poor thing about today is that we can now no longer win the title.

[BWFC_Insane]

Well we were shite, and so were Brum.

A draw was deserved given 3 top saves Foster made and Davies spurning a real sitter and a decent headed half chance second half.

Cohen and Muamba were shite. Absolutely shite. We had to keep going long because neither offered up for the ball ever. And when they did they lost it. Muamba is stealing a living. Can't even fill holes defensively which is his only real attribute.

Disagree with above thought Petrov played well, his deliveries were our main threat till he went off.

And I don't care what bandwagon I'm jumping on we're in big big shite without Holden. We have lost our midfield driver. And I can't see how a useless Muamba, Cohen and decent but not 4-4-2 man Mark Davies will see us through especially in the semi. Time will tell. Solutions need to be found.

Oh and Alonso......Terrible. How much did he cost?

[Debo]

Was sat near Alonso's family - even his old man was shaking his head every time he got bundled off the ball.

Someone who watches the reserves is better placed to answer this but isn't he more of a midfielder than full back?

[William the White]

Meh, people will jump on the 'We're doomed without Holden' bandwagon, but I'm not having that. We just weren't very good. Point at shots on targets all you like, but none of Foster's saves were out of this world, or even that great at all.

We were very poor, and then an excellent finish by Elmander gave us the illusion of being competitive.

And Alonso was shite, Cohen unfit, and I still don't know what people are seeing in Wheater.

Absolutely essential signing, in our price range, and within the bounds of competence of the prem when we are in a desperate situation... And without him?

[William the White]

The Muamba issue needs to be addressed - he is an essential player for the rest of our season who is short on form... Time for Owen to do his job...