August 2008 Archives

IN the annals of games that make you want to shudder and forget quickly, this was up with the best of the worst.

It was wretched stuff from Blues, making a mockery of their hitherto 100 per cent start to the season.

There were changes to the side, sure, but Southampton also shuffled their pack and were more eager, nowhere near as sloppy in possession, and seemed as if they really wanted to remain in the Carling Cup.

Jordon Mutch was given his bow, coming on as the second youngest debutant in club history, as Alex McLeish sought to inject some youthful exuberance and zip but there was little the 16-year-old could do to elicit change as everywhere around him there was mediocrity and sprightly Saints, who had more of an edge throughout.

ALEX McLeish sends his Blues side out at St Mary's again tonight aiming to complete a quickfire double over Southampton (7.45pm).

Ten days ago, Blues defeated the Saints 2-1 in the Championship.

Now it's the Carling Cup second round and McLeish, although warning that Southampton will be motivated by thoughts of revenge, wants more of the same.

ALEX McLeish will call upon the Birmingham City board to release the funds to enable him to bring in more players before the transfer window closes after a spate of injuries depleted his squad.

Blues have made a perfect start to the season but injuries to Mehdi Nafti and Cameron Jerome weakened McLeish's options before the 2-0 victory over Barnsley on Saturday and the situation worsened as Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby had to be substituted after picking up knocks.

Parnaby may have concussion, which will sideline him for at least a week, while O'Connor picked up a dead leg and was calling to be replaced just before he scored Birmingham's second goal.

The pair may not be out for long but Nafti, who has torn his hamstring, and Jerome, who has a thigh muscle tear, will be missing for approximately three weeks and McLeish believes further absentees could impact on his side's promotion push.

BLUES manager Alex McLeish believes the best is yet to come from exciting winger Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.

The Dutch-born Ghanian international thrilled the St Andrew's crowd with an exciting performance as Blues swept aside Barnsley with goals from Gary O'Connor and Kevin Phillips.

But it was the former Arsenal trainee who had McLeish raving.

"He is an exciting player," said the Scot.

BIRMINGHAM secured their best start to a league campaign for 11 years by brushing aside Barnsley at St Andrew's.

Kevin Phillips and Garry O'Connor continued their prolific early-season form to secure maximum points from the opening three games and send Blues to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Former England striker Phillips lost his marker in the 13th minute to head home his third goal in as many league games and hand Blues the lead in a hard-fought encounter.

But the home side did not have it all their own way and Diego Leon fired a 25-yard effort against the crossbar.

However, O'Connor followed Phillips' lead to escape his marker and head his second league goal of the campaign just before the interval.

The result leaves Barnsley rooted to the foot of the table and gives boss Simon Davey much to ponder after four consecutive defeats.