Joys and Sorrows?

The line in the old song would suggest Birmingham City have their share of the above in something like equal quantities. The average Blues fan, and by that I mean twenty years service or above will probably find it difficult to find one joy for every twenty sorrows.

This week has seen the cheats get their cum up-ance. De horno sent off on the strength of an acting performance by Mezzi for Chelsea who cheated Reina of Liverpool when Robben acted. In turn Aggar the Dane assisted Uriah Rennie get Damian Johnson sent off at Anfield. What goes around comes around, or does it?

Where in this tale of infamy is Blues come back? Johnson still served a three match suspension, a period when Blues picked up no points. Do Blues have to cheat to get recompense?

They have yet to see an opponent red carded in about 30 games while receiving seven in return. Two of those cards had extra suspensions tacked on because the recipient was so outraged they reacted badly. Nicky Butt and Emile Heskey take a good deal of winding up, so for them to get upset requires a good deal of explaining.

The acting and simulation has reached epidemic proportions. The diving is now under control as refs give nothing, book a player if he falls over and work on the concept that if they are consistent then 50% of the time they are right. Reacting to a kick on the ankle as though being knifed with a rusty blade is the new sin in soccer. Players are getting opponents sent off with simulation.

If you watched the horrific injury to Alan Smith you will notice that he made no fuss, did not roll about because he was really hurt . Compare that to Aggar’s reaction to Johnson’s tackle.