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Ahead of Saturday's FA Cup clash with
Birmingham City at St Andrews, we caught up with
@StAndrewsVicar.
Amongst other things, he gives
us his views on Blues' season so far, Gary Rowett, former Baggie Paul Robinson and the game
itself.
Now that we're
just over halfway through the season, how would you view City's campaign so far?
We guessed we’d struggle as ten
players arrived during the summer mainly on frees from a lower Division, that
proved to be true under Lee Clark. As soon as Gary Rowett was appointed the
apathy around the club disappeared, results have improved greatly and
St Andrews is bouncing again.
There's been a
huge turnaround in the club's fortunes since Gary Rowett replaced Lee Clark as
boss, what's Rowett done to make such a difference?
The first thing he did was bring
in Michael Morrison, played players in positions they were comfortable with and
made us more compact and competitive. Consistent team selection illustrates he
trusts the players. Amazingly in his twelve league games in charge he’s only
named a total of thirteen different players in the starting line-up.
Are the
play-offs a realistic possibility?
Current form would suggest they
are but injuries and suspensions would hit us hard as the majority of the squad
who aren’t currently playing lack quality. Hopefully Rowett can address this
problem in the transfer window.
Is there any
light at the end of the tunnel with regards to the ownership of the club?
With two factions fighting
within BIHL for control it appears a sale is as far away as ever. Currently if
we spot a light at the end of the tunnel it’s normally an express train heading
our way.
What tactics
and line-up can we expect to see Gary Rowett deploy against the Baggies?
In the majority of games under
Rowett we’ve had less possession but when we have the ball we move it quickly
and have been quite clinical. We study the opposition now and in a few games
we’ve benefited where Rowett has detected a weakness for us to exploit. Expect
David Cotterill to take set pieces, Andrew Shinnie to be the most creative and
eleven players to put a shift in.
How's
former Albion left-back Paul Robinson doing for you?
These days at left back he’s a
liability now playing at centre half he’s currently playing well. The signing of
Michael Morrison has given him a new lease of life and they’re proving to be a
good combination. He’d still run through a brick wall for the cause.
City brought
in another former Baggie on Monday with the signing of Lloyd Dyer from Watford.
Are you happy with his signing and is there anything else the club needs to be
doing transfer-wise?
It’s great that we’re actually
participating in this transfer window. Dyer was a key player for Leicester when
they got promoted last season so I’m quite chuffed with his signing. Obviously
we all hope he’s not a replacement for Demari Gray with the usual vultures
hovering. We need options and players to come in that will improve the starting
eleven
Any particular memories that
stand out from previous games against Albion?
Two clashes at the Hawthorns
during Promotion seasons stand out, October 1991 when Kevin Drinkell scored the
only goal for Blues and April 1994 when Louis Donowa had the game of his life in
a 4-2 win, terrific atmospheres for both games. Apologies that I've gone back 20
years not quite as bad as the B6 brigade.
Player of the
season so far?
David Davis, he doesn’t get many
headlines but gives 110% in the engine room and has been a great acquisition.
Really can’t believe the Dingles let him go.
Anyone been
particularly disappointing?
Neal Eardley tends to be an
accident waiting to happen it’s the way it’s going for him lately.
Prediction for
and thoughts on Saturday's game?
I reckon it will be a draw
hopefully with a few goals, with a near full house and 5,500 visitors it should
be a great atmosphere. I’d like to see two full strength sides in an open game
but that’s probably wishful thinking. Certainly looking forward to welcoming
back Gardner and Foster (or even Myhill) two heroes of 2011.
Hope you all enjoy Saturday bar
the result, Boing ! Boing !
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