Source: Daily_Mail
The Midlander: Birmingham City need inspiration
ShareBeen there, done that, bought the navy blue and white T-shirt.[LNB]Was it really six years ago that we witnessed the 'Great Escape' at the Hawthorns? [LNB]Of course, it was.[LNB]Back in the day it was Geoff Horsfield who prepared for the finale under Bryan Robson by filling a skip with bricks 24 hours before kick-off.[LNB]Why? [LNB]Because he wanted to get a sweat on and didn't think they had done enough in training.[LNB] Baggies legend: Geoff Horsfield (right)[LNB]They don't make them like that anymore, do they? [LNB]Horsfield it was who scored the goal against Portsmouth that set off a chain of events that culminated in West Brom staying up.[LNB]When word reached St Andrew's, the crowd watching the game against Arsenal struck up a chorus of 'Feed the Horse....' [LNB]There haven't been too many occasions in the past when a goal at another ground has sparked a reaction like that.[LNB]Such is the legend.[LNB]But my main memory from that balmy day was of Ricardo Scimeca in the executive box behind the old press box in the Halfords Lane stand going absolutely wild after news of a goal for Charlton had gone in against Crystal Palace.[LNB] Feeling Blue: Birmingham City are in danger of the drop[LNB]Of course, this Sunday while the stakes are just as large - if not larger - the circumstances are somewhat different.[LNB]Birmingham City are now in very real danger and have been dragged into the mire.[LNB]I would say a couple of things on this.[LNB]First, it's a chronic lack of goals that has once again left Blues on a knife-edge.[LNB]When you look at Darren Bent, (nine in 15 games) Peter Odemwingie, (six in eight) and Steven Fletcher, (five in six) the main reason why they are struggling is a lack of a poacher in front of goal.[LNB]Having said that, I'm not sure Bent, Odemwingie or Fletcher would have profited in quite the same fashion at St Andrew's. Alex McLeish's side do not create that many chances.[LNB] Five in six: Steven Fletcher has hit form at just the right time[LNB]The second point of note is their dreadful record in derby matches this season. (Excepting the Carling Cup) [LNB]It is no exaggeration to say that had they turned in one winning performance (lost twice to WBA, drew twice with Villa and earned just one point from the double-headers with Wolves) they'd be far better placed.[LNB]McLeish must just hope there is one last hurrah left in some pretty tired legs.[LNB]He has had to rely time and again on the same set - without much help from the supporting cast it must be said.[LNB]Over at Molineux the picture is brighter. Not least because Wolves are at home to fellow relegation strugglers Blackburn Rovers.[LNB]I don't think that there is a tighter owner/chief executive/manager combination at any other club in the Barclays Premier League than that at Molineux.[LNB] More from Neil Moxley... The Midlander: All change... Lerner must decide soon end Villa's woes13/05/11 The Midlander: Take a bow... the men who can finish with heads held high05/05/11 The Midlander: Houllier's heart scare just the latest in a long list of dramas29/04/11 The Midlander: Birmingham will fully appreciate Larsson once he's gone...15/04/11 The Midlander: Aston Villa must dodge the drop before hitting the crossroads07/04/11 The Midlander: Huge debt, threat of administration... life at Coventry01/04/11 The Midlander: Derby's honesty is commendable but they must stay up11/03/11 The Midlander: Birmingham fans must forget about the past and enjoy their big day out at Wembley25/02/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEThat has stood them in fine stead. That and the fact that McCarthy has never wavered in his belief that his players would drag them around.[LNB]Wolves' boss may not fill his squad with superstars but I haven't seen a group give as much to the cause as Karl Henry & Co.[LNB]They lack quality in certain areas. But they bust a gut in every game. And it has taken them to some special places this season.[LNB]My one reservation about Wolves on Sunday is whether they can keep their own concentration if things start to go against them elsewhere.[LNB]I hope it doesn't come to that. But goals for two out of the three below them will automatically trigger a severe case of the jitters.[LNB]It will be important for Mick to stress (and we haven't had the pre-match briefing as I write) that it doesn't matter whether the goal comes in the first minute, the last minute or injury-time, so a bit of patience could be necessary.[LNB]If we refer to the match with which we started, Horsfield didn't score until the second-half.[LNB]Finally, we had a Midland Football Writers' lunch this week and I spoke to McLeish's assistant Andy Watson.[LNB]It was his theory that there will be twists and turns in the final ten minutes at a couple of matches.The dividing line between success and failure? [LNB]It could be so thin this weekend that it really doesn't bear thinking about.[LNB] Gardner calls for Blues' fans war cry to be played in dressing room West Brom hand trial to in-demand Hapoel Tel Aviv striker ShechterAll the latest Birmingham City news, features and opinionAll the latest West Brom news, features and opinionAll the latest Wolves news, features and opinionAll the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Darren Bent, Alex McLeish, Steven Fletcher
