shambles

Me apparently.

My grandad was a staunch Conservative until he died, with old-school morals and values, and my dad is a socialist and was a union leader at Lucas in the 70's and early 80's. I think I've inherited a mix of their ideals.

I was resigned to losing the game. Heskey for us is a total Jonah. Mind you, it would help if he wasn't being asked to play all over the pitch just to give him a game.

If we play like this against Man City, we're gonna get hammered.

Sleepwalking back into a 442 nightmare....

We've been pretty poor so far, and we were less than impressive against Cardiff. Petrov simply does not have the legs to play 442. He NEEDS 2 other midfielders around him. Need to bring NRC on now, probably for Carew.

Mr and Mrs Shimmy.

I'm the one with the beard.

I would....

Laura isn't bad either tbf

Bloody hell we look alike. Trim and me that is, not Laura.

Imported Stella Artois. I've had a couple and am nicely mellow. I am just about to ring the Indian for a bootiful takeaway and then I shall be spending the rest of the evening trying to get in the wifes knickers. While she's still in them.

Brad - So glad we had such an old head in goal. He was comfortable when tested from distance and is unflappable. 8.

Collins and Dunne - I've never been so calm during a derby game. This pair are bloody solid. I knew after about 15 minutes that no matter what the filth threw at us there was no getting past these guys today. 9

Cuellar - I like him at RB. Came across to help the CB's out when it got tight. 8

Warnock - Stronger in the tackle than Shorey and likes to go forward. 8.

Milner - A few stray passes. Frustrating afternoon for Jimmy - 7

Young - Once again a marked man. Struggled to create much but give him an inch....8.

Reo / Sidders / Petrov - The engine room. There to press the opposition and close down and get a foot in. Easily matched the Blues midfield.

Gabby - Felt sorry for him as he was pretty isolated most of the game, but the Brummie wins it for us again!

Sub - Carew - Really helped Gabby up front. Gave us an outlet and battled away. 8

My head is saying Southgate, but my heart is saying King Olof.

The best image from that game is when Gabby scores Mellberg is cloest to the goal (looking for the rebound) and you him celebrating. Totally awesome!

Never quite understood how Mellberg hated Blues so much, considering he was foreign and all, guess those first two derby games just got to him.

I'd imagine big Olof suffered a few sleepless nights after that first derby game at the Sty. After that, sticking it to Small Heath would have meant alot to him.

I'm absolutely bricking it at this one. I'd take a point before the game no problem.

Note to MON - Ignore Capello for fecks sake, 4-5-1 and keep Heskey the hell away from the first XI.

We haven't had a proper keeper since Bosnich. Friedel is ok, but getting on in years and past his best. I have high hopes for Guzan though.

James was a liability, Schmiechel was finished, Enckleman was promising until 'those' games and Sorensen and Carson were inconsistent. I'd have to say Friedel, which to be honest says alot about how shite we've been this decade.

he's pretty hit and miss lets face it.

Miss and miss, surely?

4-5-1 same team as against Liverpool.

My problem is MON's refusal to learn from his mistakes. Had Heskey buried one of the many chances created for him last night we wouldn't be having this discussion this morning.

Albrighton on.

Oh christ, Davies arms popped out again by the looks of it

Heskey couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo. He is **** useless.

Just what was expected, hang around and we get scored against, put Gabby on, sub Heskey off, no use in waiting now.

put Gabby on, keep Heskey on, take off Shorey.

time to go for broke.

**** that, Heskey might as well not be on the pitch. Gabby and Reo-Coker / Sidders on for Heskey and Carew. 4-3-3.

shit shit shit. how mny do we need now?

One more.

Now we're in the shit.

Crikey, how did that not go in the net?

Unlucky Milner.

And besides, 442 hasn't exactly served us well whenever and whoever we've played against in recent history so people were right to be dubious tbh.