BIRMINGHAM AWAY. SEPTEMBER 28TH

By Mark Deeks
October 1 2002

BIRMINGHAM AWAY. SEPTEMBER 28TH. THE VIEW FROM THE COUCH. An "interesting" report with some excellent opinions :-) Home for a similar result tonight eh?

I guess I've got a number of things I need to get off my chest follwing our win at Birmingham. Please give me a few minutes of your time so I can give my soapbox a good airing. Thankyou.

1) Laurent Robert. Sort it out.
I've had it with Robert. I'm trying to be patient. I understand all the fantastic things he does from time to time. I understand he has pace and the occasional ability to unleash ferocious shots. But I really am starting to wonder if he's worth his place in the team. Let's look at it this way. When Robert was injured at the start of the season, and Viana covered (even considering he wasn't playing in his ideal position), the young Boss man was, in my humble opinion, outstanding.

His work rate was excellent, his record of tackling back and generally helping out made Robert's equivalent commitment look like what it was. A joke. I don't care how much the guy moans about one thing and another, making himself out to be holier than thou and above criticism, he isn't pulling his weight.

Obviously we have the age-old argument as to whether a so-called "luxurious" player (take the old Le Tissier case)can be excused his defensive duties sometimes "because of what he is capable of". To an extent, I can understand this. But given the chance of a regular run in the team, I remain convinced that Viana is capable of both the magic touches AND a willingness to track back and help out when needed. I really feely sorry for Boss man Hugo. He's done nowt wrong and
can't get a game.

I honestly reckon that given a tape of the Birmingham game I could find at least three examples of Robert bottling a 50-50 ball. That's not good enough when we were looking to arrest a mildly alarming early season slump, especially away from home at a newly promoted team who contained the likes of Savage who (love him or loathe him) were never going to crumble in the effort department.

I repeat. Laurent Robert. Sort it out.

2)Can people please lay-off Gary Speed and Nikos
Dabizas? I am hearing constant criticism of these two. I just don't accept that it is warranted. They are both loyal servants and have regularly been seen to be giving their all for the toon cause over the years. I know Dabizas isn't the greatest defender in the world, but I would ask you to suggest who we have who is better for the position (apart from the ever-marvellous Aaron Hughes who is currently needed elsewhere). And as for Speed, he was outstanding at Birmingham and never shirked his duties once. Again.

3) I'm going to stick my neck out. I think Bobby's
sorted the defence.

"WHAT?!?" I hear you cry!! Don't get me wrong, I don't think we have an amazing defence, and we'll still concede goals, but based on what we have available at the club this is definitely my preferred line up. Andy Griffin should have been back in the team long ago. He never lacks willing to put the ball in Row Z if necessary, and the same goes for clattering that tricky left winger if need be. The kid has always done a job during his toon career when asked and long may it continue. Full marks for sticking around.

I remain convinced Andy O Brien and Dabizas are the best centre halfs we have at the club, and although not perfect, they do seem to be generally on a slight upturn in reliability. Actually no, I think Aaron Hughes is the best centre half we have at the club, but can he be said to be less effective at his current position of left back than Bernard or Elliot? No.

4) The media's tendency to exagerate statistics for their own cause is starting to get annoying. First it was Lua Lua who had taken "37 appearances to get his first Premiership goal". HE'S A YOUNG KID WHO WAS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY USED AS A SUBSTITUTE UNTIL THE END OF LAST SEASON and probably averaged 5-10 mins an appearance. HIS FOOTBALL EDUCATION BEFORE SJP WAS COLCHESTER! Given a run in the team I think he has proved his worth.

But now it's Ameobi. After the game with Birmingham, I counted 7 references in 20 mins to how this was Ameobi's "first goal in 13 months" and how it had taken "all those appearances for him to find the net"!! COS OF COURSE HE'S BEEN RACKING UP THE APPEARANCES IN THAT TIME HASN'T HE LADS?!? For pete's sake, the kid (remember he's only 20-21 as well)has been 4th choice striker for most of that period!

5) Finally, I thought we were great at Birmingham!
Till next time.....