If I may take off my ranting hat and step back to my usual self, we have a game on Saturday. Â

We still have no internet at home so no depth to anything much I'm going to say here, but for those of you who like betting, it's perhaps worth knowing that only eight goals have been scored at St Andrews this season.

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A lacklustre display by the Citizens see them draw their fourth successive EPL Game. However they still managed to climb above Tottenham into the 4th spot because of a superior goal difference. Click to continue reading...

Joleon Lescott has called on himself and his Manchester City teammates to improve on their woeful defending. City have conceded eleven goals in their opening nine Premier League fixtures, and Lescott believes that they can improve on that record. With so many new players in City's back four, the club aims to complement its profitable attack with a solid defense.

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The English Premier League had six matches on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Here's a recap of Saturday's matches in the EPL along with video highlights.

English Premier League Recap Video Highlights Saturday, October 24, 2009

Chelsea went top of the table with a 5-0 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers.

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On their website this week, Notts County Football Club have invited all to "celebrate the football league decision on Saturday" when they entertain Crewe Alexandra. But before you decide whether to join the party, it might be an idea to examine what it is they are celebrating. Remarkably, Notts County fans themselves will be celebrating the fact that they are not allowed to know who owns their club (what was, earlier this year, literally their club).

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That week was a tough week as I only got 6 out of 10, which keep me around 66% for the season. If you think you can do better than I can then go to http://scorefive.com/index.php/Register.html and register as a player (its free). After you login, it will ask you for the password to join a league.

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That week was a tough week as I only got 6 out of 10, which keep me around 66% for the season. If you think you can do better than I can then go to http://scorefive.com/index.php/Register.html and register as a player (its free). After you login, it will ask you for the password to join a league.

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Opinion is polarised in football about Birmingham's new frontman Carson Yeung (not ‘owner,' you'll notice; takeovers just cannot be that simple). Some would agree with the man who sneered: "He's not going to put a penny in...I don't think that's likely to change." Others would back the man who declared: "We believe his people can take this football club to the next level".

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Speaking to many of my friends, there was the suggestion that Birmingham were no real enemy and Saturday's match was just a routine three points. Not for me.
Birmingham are the masters of PR management. It is easy to forget that it wasn't just Eduardo's injury that went against Arsenal on that fateful day at St. Click to continue reading...

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish insists the infamous Eduardo leg break incident is long forgotten, as the Blues prepare to meet Arsenal on Saturday some 20 months after the incident at St Andrews.
Martin Taylor's horror tackle on Eduardo left the Croatian forward with a broken left fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle. Click to continue reading...

Promoted Championship teams entering the Premier League transition in different ways. Some settle straight away and show why they belong in the league. Others take longer and end up struggling to survive, battling in the relegation flight. Then there are the special cases: teams that surprise everyone and do extremely well with relegation not even a factor to consider during their first season; or conversely they are completely out of their league and winning is not a realistic goal.

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Good Afternoon everyone!

Sorry, for not being able to blog earlier, but I've had one of those maddeningly busy days where time's just flown by. Today's also the last day that I post as my good mate The Goon shall be back tomorrow to carry on running the fine blog as he has been doing so since over a year.

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It is true. 7 goals this season and McLeish's Birmingham have scored them all AFTER 75 minutes. (courtesy of optajoe). When it comes for providing entertainment for value, I've heard that the Blues fans are now asking for refunds on free Birmingham city tickets.

So if we click and when we do, we should put Birmingham to sleep BEFORE they wake up.

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As the international week goes on, its time for me to look ahead to this weekends fixture at home to Birmingham. One which I would usually refer to as "run of the mill" where by it doesn't really excite me when I get up on Saturday morning to head off to the game.Â

I'm sure most people can relate that once you've been going "Up the Arse" for a period of time, not every game is that exciting anymore and these sorts of games help fill the gaps between the big matches.

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The title to this article might suggest that I am providing some late coverage on Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner's recent car accident while driving to practice in his Aston Martin. In reality, though, this article is written in vehement defense of the player, who has certainly had more than his fair share of critics, to put it bluntly.

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Gary Cahill has turned into quite the little star recently. Speculation is coming from all sides about performing for England. He definitely has quality competition, and were I in Capello's place I wouldn't play Cahill before Ferdinand or Terry in a competitive match, however in a friendly I would definitely give Cahill his chance (probably partnered with Terry, given the choice).

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Gary Cahill For England

England manager, Fabio Capello was at St. Andrews to watch Bolton versus Birmingham which sparked further speculation that Gary Cahill would be called upon for international duty once again.

Gary Megson believes that Cahill will be ready for The World Cup next year.

"Gary is ready in terms of England.

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So first off many apologies vis-a-vis the lack of match preview. I was in Dallas for a rugby tournament all weekend (my team is going to nationals!) and I had so much homework Thursday I couldn't do it (I got an hour and a half of sleep on Thursday). Also I'm aware this is a wee bit late, but I only got home about an hour ago.

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. Image via Wikipedia Aston Villa have won the Midlands derby 1-0 against Birmingham at St Andrews. It turned out to be a quiet game with both sides looking like they didn't want to make a mistake. The game lacked clear cut chances. Villa keeper Brad Friedel and opposite number Joe Hart were not troubled until [. Click to continue reading...

The English Premier League wrapped up its weekend of matches with two on Sunday. The matches on Sunday were Aston Villa traveling to play Birmingham City and Fulham hosting Everton. Here's a recap of both matches along with video highlights on Sunday, September 13, 2009.

English Premier League Recap Saturday, September 13, 2009

Fulham defeated Everton on two second half goals while Aston Villa got a late goal to beat Birmingham City.

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Manchester City host Arsenal, Tottenham host Manchester United, Chelsea go to Stoke, Liverpool host Burnley, Blackburn welcome Wolves, Bolton are at Pompey, Sunderland host Hull, Wigan welcome West Ham, Birmingham Derby as Villa go to St. Andrews and Fulham host Everton...
Preview
Preview I
Unbeaten Spurs face United test
Rafa must avoid Burnley banana skin
Lawro's Predictions Click to continue reading...

Following on from a 3 – 0 victory over Fulham, Arsenal's Reserve side picked apart a strong Birmingham team that featured Kevin Phillips and Gary McSheffrey up front. At St. Andrews Neil Banfield made 5 changes to the team that overturned Fulham.

Arsenal lined up as follows:

Vito Mannone

Kerrea Gilbert Kyle Bartley Gavin Hoyte Armand Traore

Craig Eastmond Francis Coquelin

Mark Randall Fran Mérida Gilles Sunu

Sanchez Watt

Subs: James Shea, Cedric Evina, Ignasi Miquel, Roarie Deacon, Luke Freeman.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE It's the sentence I don't want to write. But here goes: Pompey haven't beaten the Arsenal in more than 50 years. There. Said it. So you'll forgive me if I physically shrink into my seat in the upper tier of the Emirates tomorrow at the final whistle if Paul Hart's beleaguered side have ended this half-century hoodoo.

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With the Premier League about to spark into life this weekend, COS reporter Adam Hennessey casts his eye over the players he feels will have an impact this coming season, but players who readers may not know much about.

Birmingham City are about to embark on yet another Premiership adventure, this time under the stewardship of Alex McLeish, and this little Irish gem amongst their ranks, could have a big part to play, if Birmingham are to survive in the top flight this season.

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Can Alex McLeish lead the Blues to long term Premier League survival?

Its hard to think of another team who have suffered relegation after relegation, followed by promotion after promotion, but thats what Alex McLeish and Birmingham City have once again gone through. Former Scotland manager McLeish, took over from former manager Steve Bruce in November 2007, who had already steered Birmingham through two promotions, and suffered one relegation, whilst heading for another.

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Some developments over the weekend suggested that Alex McLeish of Birmingham City has inquired about taking Joey Barton on a season-long loan deal. Joey Barton - who will take him? And that seems to have already stirred up some fans at St. Andrews, who hardly want to see Joey representing their club next season. Click to continue reading...

William Gallas is like marmite; You love him or you hate him.
I happen to love him. Lots. Like a brother. And will continue to do so at the best of my ability.
Most people hate him. Cool, that's their opinion. But I can't really understand why.
Sure, he made himself look a bit of a croissant when he started crying on the pitch at St Andrews but why is the grudge still held? Click to continue reading...

Newly promoted Premier League side Birmingham City have revealed their new 2009-10 away shirt, which they will wear on their travels away from St.Andrews next season in the Premiership. The new Birmingham City 2009-10 away shirt is manufactured by Umbro, the same company that designed the all white new England shirt. Click to continue reading...

Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is set to beat Portsmouth in the race for Liverpool wingman Jermaine Pennant who is available on a free transfer.
The former Birmingham player has been on loan at Portsmouth but it`s his connections with Bruce from their days together at St. Andrews` that will swing a deal the way of the Latics. Click to continue reading...

Well who knew? The drama started on Saturday evening as Bongo FC contrived to throw away a 1-0 lead over Preston and ended up losing at St. Andrews by 2 goals to 1. A lifeline for the Royals especially when their faint hopes of automatic promotion were dealt a blow when Sheffield United beat Swansea by a solitary goal. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool continue to concentrate their efforts on the FA Youth Cup this week, with FA Premier Academy League fixtures on hold.
Hugh McAuley's side look almost assured of a place in the FA Youth Cup final for the third time in four seasons after their excellent 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at St Andrews last Thursday. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool Youth team virtually secured their place in a third FA Youth Cup final in the past four years with a superb 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at St Andrews last night.
Hugh McAuley's side will hope to complete the job in the second leg of the semi-final at Anfield next Friday night to book a place in the two-legged final against either Arsenal or Manchester City. Click to continue reading...

Almost eleven months to the day, Arsenal's Eduardo suffered that horrific leg injury against Birmingham City at St Andrews.
Last night at the Britannia Stadium, Eduardo played 90 minutes for Arsenal Reserves against Stoke Reserves. Eduardo didn't score but by all accounts he had a very good game. Click to continue reading...