It's a wide-ranging Episode 45 of the Forever Blues podcast!
Colin Tattum and Paul Tait go through Blues' strong end to the season at St. Andrew's, following back-to-back 2-1 victories. The lads analyze how August Priske and Carlos Vicente are growing into their roles, potentially becoming key players for the upcoming campaign.
Then, it's time for the big debate. With Blues hitting the woodwork a remarkable 26 times this season, the boys reflect on the "what ifs" and dissect the end-of-season messages from CEO Jeremy Dale and manager Chris Davies.
Taity delivers some firm words on the current lack of Academy players getting an opportunity in the first team. With no Academy-reared player registering league minutes in the last two seasons, Taity admits the blocked pathway is a massive worry for the club's future. How will Blues ever produce the next Jude Bellingham if the kids aren't given a chance?
Finally, the boys preview the final game of the season at Portsmouth, recall the day Jude and Agus Medina made their debuts at Fratton Park, and give a quick update on Neil Moxley's whereabouts!
IN THIS EPISODE
00:24 - Introduction
01:24 - Important to finish the season in a positive frame of mind
02:29 - Tactical tweak to jump on Morsy - not rocket science though!
04:13 - Neumann's opener and Blues attacking set-pieces
05:21 - Priske's evolution and almost breaking his duck
06:27 - The benefits of a settled team and Priske growing into his role
07:35 - Landing on second balls and pushing on, thanks to the adjustment in style
08:21 - Midfielders breaking forward and winning duels
08:38 - 'Fantastic' Vicente
09:37 - Vicente's skill set and displacing Roberts; plus handling the rough stuff
11:32 - Blues top of the league - Tatts' stat attack!
11:43 - Hitting the woodwork 26 times - crazy
12:17 - Taity's stat attack - he makes it 1-1!
12:47 - The what ifs
13:25 - Blues' St. Andrew's strength: third best home record in the Championship, but away woes
16:10 - Taity no to fireworks (again)
16:28 - Big up Rich Goulding, the voice of St. Andrew's
17:15 - Jeremy Dale on Blues 'valuable experience gained' standing Blues in 'better stead' next season
18:09 - Of course he'd say that! Behind the scenes, probably sterner words being uttered
19:16 - David Sullivan would have let rip
19:35 - Chris Davies via Blues News programme, writing about a 'positive marker' of progress on the pitch
20:24 - He's got to say that, hasn't he - again!
21:05 - Trying to sign Maradona and Jean-Pierre Papin
22:22 - The big youth debate - why have no Academy lads been used?
23:01 - No Academy-reared player will have played league minutes in the last two seasons - not acceptable?
23:38 - Manager's focus is first team and first team players
24:04 - Rivals spending millions on kids coming through
24:31 - It is worrying, says Taity. The problem of split first team and Academy training sites
25:29 - Chris Davies skirting round the issue
25:47 - The pathway is becoming more blocked and the knock-on effect of trying to attract players
26:25 - Catch 22. Blues investing heavily in recruitment, but if there is no light at the end of the tunnel...
27:06 - Paying the money to buy players in. Taity speaking to Villa's Academy staff
27:57 - Blues playing catch up - not at that budget level
28:16 - First year pros could be earning towards and upwards of £10,000-a-week elsewhere
29:07 - Taity was on £28.50!
29:39 - Pressure to get into the Premier League and increasing the value of young players
30:21 - Isichei and Mazwi on the bench for six consecutive games; why not bring them on at 3-0 up at Cambridge?
30:48 - It's opportunity - you won't find out unless you try
31:06 - Taity on his debut at just aged 17
31:28 - It's down to the manager
32:28 - An argument for the powers that be upstairs telling the manager the club philosophy
33:29 - The loans issue; a new role being created as Blues have been behind the eight ball
34:34 - Managers' resistance
34:47 - Wolves approach to loans and 21s' football
35:52 - Young players training with the first team more - the manager has his neck on the line
36:32 - Portsmouth away last game - Pompey's pick-up since Easter
37:42 - Jude's debut at Fratton Park . . . and Agus Medina's
38:29 - First game away next season at Spurs . . . noon on a Sunday, or February on a night
39:16 - Medina went back to Cornella - Lionel Messi's new club
40:04 - Adrian Segecic - Pompey's Priske
40:44 - Who is going to leave Blues in the summer?
41:45 - Alberto Tarantini and jumping into the crowd
42:12 - Final thank yous and an update on Mox's whereabouts . . .
#BCFC #KRO #BirminghamCity #AugustPriske #JudeBellingham #EFLChampionship
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