With Birmingham City heading into the international break 10 points adrift of the play-offs in 11th place, the season is effectively over. Now, the big questions are being asked.
In Episode 41, Colin Tattum and Paul Tait dissect the dismal 1-0 defeat at Derby County. The lads are left flabbergasted by a confusing tactical set-up that saw Ibrahim Osman and Ethan Laird deployed as wing-backs in a deep back five, leaving Osman looking like a "fish out of water". They also debate whether former boss John Eustace was justified in throwing shade with his post-match "no fear football" comments.
With 12 defeats in 20 away games, Blues' Achilles heel has completely undermined the campaign. So, what has to change this summer?
Tatts and Taity look beyond the Derby game to debate the ultimate question: What is the Birmingham City identity? They discuss the frustrating reality of dominating possession metrics but lacking end product, and Taity calls out the current squad for being "too soft" and lacking "personality".
To highlight exactly what is missing, Taity recounts an incredible, hilarious story involving Liam Daish putting Steve Claridge in a chokehold during the tense 1995 promotion run-in!
IN THIS EPISODE:
1:10 - Derby County recap
2:13 - Flabbergasted with Blues' set-up
3:00 - Osman, Laird wing-backs, Blues deep in a back five - 'strange'
4:15 - Unfair on Osman, a 'fish out of water'
5:40 - Plan C and D
6:00 - Panzo and a day trip to Alton Towers
7:15 - Understanding the approach and formation - what was Chris Davies' idea?
8:50 - Post-match interviews on repeat
9:15 - Iwata and Paik verdict, Bobby Clark's energy and enthusiasm, Ducksch as a frontman
10:20 - A good five-a-side team - a Baller League side, Panzo hugging Brewster - where's the character in the team?
12:00 - Blues concede a poor goal, again
13:05 - Full-backs stopping the cross and Terry Cooper
15:47 - John Eustace and 'no fear' football - justified in his jibe or naughty?
18:52 - Blues Achilles Heel away record, 12 defeats in 20
20:00 - Chris Davies and players' 'personality' to get on the ball
21:00 - The players not doing enough for the manager and the right characters for the Championship
22:35 - Lads, come on - you need to do more
23:10 - Taity officially gives up on the play-offs
23:35 - Taity asks: what are we expecting to change next season? What do we do?
24:30 - Tatts' take: 'new' players better for the experience, the need for Championship experience, athleticism and physicality, plus a tweaking of the style, what Gary Rowett used to say
26:42 - Players hold all the aces, you can't castigate them like before, Blues are 'too nice'
29:45 - How to stop the season petering out and things potentially becoming toxic
30:42 - Maybe the shackles will come off now the pressure is off
31:50 - The debate about possession and end product - top 7 for every possession metric, bottom 5 for every output metric
33:35 - If you don't get any shots away, what's the point? There has to be a purpose
35:08 - Outlining the Birmingham City identity
36:12 - Blues are 'soft', players who dig in
37:04 - A working class team that puts it in, a rabid crowd, playing for the crest on the shirt
38:29 - Understanding changing the philosophy and the great day out at St. Andrew's - but don't lose your identity
40:33 - Getting booed as a player and Dean Peer's 'real' name
42:52 - Taity wants Chris Davies to do well and for it to all work
43:28 - Liam Daish's choke hold on Steve Claridge as the promotion heat was on Blues in 1995
46:20 - How would current players cope with the Liam Daishs', Dave Barnetts' and Kevin Francis' - players not giving one another enough stick
#BCFC #KRO #BirminghamCity #DerbyCounty #EFLChampionship #JohnEustace
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