Blues News

Match day musings #11: Blues v Fulham

|
Image for Match day musings #11: Blues v Fulham

I gave up on predicting the outcome of Blues games a long time ago. Usually, the unpredictable nature of our team makes it almost impossible to call the correct result – in recent weeks though, it has been predictable but, for my sanity to remain intact (just about) I merely cross my fingers and hope for the best. And that`s what I`ll be doing against Fulham this afternoon.

The Cottagers arrive at St. Andrews in fairly decent nick. Three points behind the play-offs in ninth, Fulham have their eyes firmly on the end-of-season lottery that now seems out of Birmingham City`s reach. Of course, the nine point gap that separates Blues from the top six isn`t insurmountable, especially with 17 games remaining. But the points tally of Reading, Leeds and Huddersfield mean that, realistically, only one play-off spot is there for the taking. With Preston, Norwich, Fulham, Barnsley, Sheffield Wed and Derby all ahead of Blues in the queue, it`s an extremely tall order.

Gianfranco Zola will be concentrating more on the short term objectives – namely, his first win as Blues manager. Ten games have passed without a win and the law of averages would suggest that it will happen soon. I`m sick of saying it, though. Results are needed. Many claim the theory of ‘once we`ve won one, we`ll fly` to be true. Others claim the ‘Zola is out of his depth` theory to be case. In reality, no one knows and, until the long overdue first win arrives, we`ll be left picking up the pieces and speaking of what could have been.

Blues haven`t beat Fulham in their last three attempts at St. Andrews but they haven`t lost in four at Craven Cottage, including a 1-0 win there in September. Since 1949, the clubs have met 38 times with a record that cannot be separated – Blues winning 11, losing 11 and drawing 16. Blues could seriously do with turning that record in their favour today.

With England`s Six Nations campaign set to get underway at 4.50pm, Blues fans do not need yet another excuse to vacate the stadium early.

As always, Keep Right On!

Share this article