Birmingham City (a) - Match Thread

[Barry the bird boggler]

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton has spoken of his respect for Brian McDermott's Royal Champions.

And Hughton also said he would have been happy for his team to form a guard of honour, but it is not possible on the day.

Chris and Brian are good friends with great respect for each other, and the City boss was keen to pay homage to the best team in the division.

Hughton told bcfc.com: "We won't be giving Reading a guard of honour but that's not because we don't want to, we have directives from the League and if that was the case then we would be only too happy to do it. They're the league champions.

"We will be congratulating them (Reading). At the end of the game we will be coming back out on to the pitch but we will be giving them time to spend with their supporters afterwards. The club will do things in the right way. We are entertaining the league champions and we will certainly acknowledge that.

Royals boss Brian McDermott is pleased to now have the npower Championship trophy on the open top bus on Sunday, saying, "It's the best trophy in the world this one. Incredible"

I understand [not lifting the trophy at Birmingham], three sides of the ground will have gone home and it'll be great to get it at Madejski. Having it on the bus as well, you remember those days

[NR_Royal]

IT'S NOT EVEN SATURDAY. BAN THIS FILTH.

[EPR]

Nice thought gesture from Hughton but I don't think as a fan you'd be too keen to see your team form a guard of honour for the opposition regardless of the situation.

I wouldn't want to see it happen at the MadStad were the tables turned; and notwithstanding; B'ham aren't confirmed in the play-offs yet so need to focus on the match and being guard of honour to your opposition could easily lead to a psychological disadvantage.

[PieEater]

B'ham aren't confirmed in the play-offs yet so need to focus on the match

Yeah and avoid losing 23-0

[EPR]

B'ham aren't confirmed in the play-offs yet so need to focus on the match

Yeah and avoid losing 23-0

[M-U-R-T-Y]

B'ham aren't confirmed in the play-offs yet so need to focus on the match

Yeah and avoid losing 23-0

Hey, we could beat them 13-0 and Middlesbrough could win 10-0. Let's not rule it out just yet.

[Franchise FC]

B'ham aren't confirmed in the play-offs yet so need to focus on the match

Yeah and avoid losing 23-0

Hey, we could beat them 13-0 and Middlesbrough could win 10-0. Let's not rule it out just yet.

That was all very possible until you typed Middlesbrough 10.

[PieEater]

Boro would be going for 10-0 to oust Cardiff.

[Franchise FC]

Boro would be going for 10-0 to oust Cardiff.

But 'Boro haven't scored 10 in 2012, let alone 10 in one game

[RobRoyal]

IT'S NOT EVEN SATURDAY. BAN THIS FILTH.

You haven't been on Tottenham Court Road today by any chance?

[NR_Royal]

IT'S NOT EVEN SATURDAY. BAN THIS FILTH.

You haven't been on Tottenham Court Road today by any chance?

Erm....no. Can I ask why?

[PieEater]

Boro would be going for 10-0 to oust Cardiff.

But 'Boro haven't scored 10 in 2012, let alone 10 in one game

Really!

[Franchise FC]

Boro would be going for 10-0 to oust Cardiff.

But 'Boro haven't scored 10 in 2012, let alone 10 in one game

Really!

They've actually scored 21 this calendar year but a bit of literary licence .........

However, in 10 home games this calendar year they've scored 7 (yes, seven) and conceded 11.

Stands to reason they're on for 10-0.

[OzBiscuit2004]

Federici; Connolly, Harte, Gorkss, Pearce; Leigertwood, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, McAnuff (c); Church, Le Fondre

subs: McCarthy, Cummings, Mills, Gunnarsson, Hunt

[Friday's Legacy]

Simon Church. Are we playing for a draw? It's like handing Birmingham a one nil head start.

No Cwyka on the bench either. I wonder if that's curtains for him this summer. A weak bench as well. No game changers on there.

[Terminal Boardom]

Nice thought gesture from Hughton but I don't think as a fan you'd be too keen to see your team form a guard of honour for the opposition regardless of the situation.

I wouldn't want to see it happen at the MadStad were the tables turned; and notwithstanding; B'ham aren't confirmed in the play-offs yet so need to focus on the match and being guard of honour to your opposition could easily lead to a psychological disadvantage.

We were prepared to do something similar at Windsor last weekend when Guildford came to town but the FA dictate that both teams must enter the pitch at the same time. As it was, their players got a standing ovation from the Windsor fans after the final whistle in recognition of their achievements.

Anyone remember what the Leicester PA announcer, Alan Birchenall, said back in 2006? Something similar would be good.

[Archie's penalty]

Simon Church. Are we playing for a draw? It's like handing Birmingham a one nil head start.

No Cwyka on the bench either. I wonder if that's curtains for him this summer. A weak bench as well. No game changers on there.

Church and Alfie work better together than Hunt and Alfie.

Yep regarding Cywka.

And get off Church's back. It's getting boring now.

[Friday's Legacy]

Simon Church. Are we playing for a draw? It's like handing Birmingham a one nil head start.

No Cwyka on the bench either. I wonder if that's curtains for him this summer. A weak bench as well. No game changers on there.

Church and Alfie work better together than Hunt and Alfie.

Yep regarding Cywka.

And get off Church's back. It's getting boring now.

I'm not obsessed with Church, others are; but he isn't good enough for the Championship and most certainly shouldn't be here next season. I favour a loan rather than selling him.

[LUX]

And get off Church's back. It's getting boring now.

+1

Go Church. Scored some key goals in the first half of this season

[NR_Royal]

I bet you Church will score.