There were far more entertaining 3-2 victories in the city anyway. So, rather than a report, here's some observations…
- I'm glad I got to see Rochdale play. I've taken something of an interest in them over the past few years for various reasons. The main one was that, until last year, they hadn't been promoted or relegated for something like 34 years. How ridiculous is that?? How boring must that be? I think (I've just counted quickly), then since I started watching Blues in about 1986, I've seen them change division ten times. That's in 24 years. Add ten years on to that and remove ten promotions or relegations and you've got what it's like to be a Rochdale fan. Because of that interest, they sort of became my second team (sort of - I don't actively support them or anything, just have a soft spot) and Chris Dagnall was a player I followed. Unfortunately he's just got a big money move to Scunthorpe. Anyway, I was pleased to see Rochdale play and hope that their small band of supporters enjoyed their night. Their team was bright enough and looked to play football, although at times they did lack quality. Gary Jones is a bit of a hero for them though and the one player who stands out - he's getting on a bit, but it was nice for them and him that he scored twice.
- As for Blues, David Murphy and Garry O'Connor managed to both still look poor against League One opposition. Granted Murphy scored, but otherwise he was desperate. He was horribly out of position for Rochdale's opener. You could see quite clearly that Lee Bowyer's ball to him would be intercepted and Murphy got in all sorts of a mess with his positioning. Anyone who watches Murphy defend regularly won't have been surprised that the goal came down Rochdale's right. No wonder Alex McLeish has said he still wants a left-back and thinks that "Dave could do with a loan spell". Yes, a six year loan spell would be ideal. I'd suggest he go to Rochdale, but I don't want to weaken their side.
- As for O'Connor, at least he's consistent. So far this season he has done absolutely nothing whatsoever, and he kept his form up. Seriously, he contributed nothing. Sure, he's a body up front and he'll run around a bit and touch the ball occasionally, but I could do that. What else does he contribute? Anything? Nothing more like. I hate to sound like a broken record, and I realise that Marcus Bent has probably put McLeish's cat in a wheelie bin or something, but Bent certainly wouldn't offer any less than O'Connor and, I feel, would offer more. Not loads more, but a bit more. He's quicker, bigger and stronger, for a start. Plus Blues had to actually give O'Connor a new contract for him to play - at least Bent is already contracted to the club.
- I was actually a little surprised that Nikola Zigic didn't start with Matt Derbyshire, partly because O'Connor's not quite up to this level (League One) and partly because Zigic looks to need a goal and a boost to his confidence. When he came on he did alright again and was unlucky on the one occasion when he bundled his way into the area but the ball was nicked away from him. It's clear that he needs a goal though, and both his style and appearance unfortunately mean that if he doesn't get one soon, people will get on his back - he's that sort of player. He needs time (more than he may get given) and he needs a goal, but let's not write him off yet. I still maintain he could be very, very useful, but as I've said before, there's some learning that needs to be done by all parties.
- Onto another new striker and Derbyshire again looked bright. His goal was a little fortuitous, but he was in the right place at the right time, and as everyone always says about strikers, that's the key. His movement and running was excellent and he finds himself in good positions. He puts himself about as well and is clearly an intelligent forward. Very useful signing as long as he stays fit. I suspect he may start at Bolton alongside Cameron Jerome (McLeish resting him for the last 25 mins or so indicated that), in which case Blues will have quite a mobile and useful front pair, if used properly.
- The highlight of the match was when Derbyshire was brought down for the penalty (which looked harsh from where I was). The linesman clearly had no idea what to do. He knew what he wanted to do, but his body wouldn't function properly. I'm not sure if it came across on Sky, but after a short delay and with the referee looking over at him for assistance he flagged and then held his flag up in the direction Blues were attacking, as if doing so for a throw-in. The problem was that the ball had gone over the goal-line. Everyone continued looking at him, so he did it again. The referee appeared to walk towards him and I suspect said, "what on earth are you doing? Are you saying it was a foul?". The linesman then appeared to remember what to do (or the referee told him) and he then put his flag across his chest for a penalty. It was bizarre.
- James McFadden and Seb Larsson appeared to be told they'd get 45 minutes each as the latter replaced the former at half-time. McFadden showed flashes of brilliance, linked play well and took his penalty superbly. Larsson though stole the show when he came on. He was superb. He's looking like he's returned to his old self in the Beckham-esque way that he drives the game from the right with his energy. He was fantastic. Granted, the opposition weren't up to much but his determination was admirable and he made a real impact. I've said before that last season I think all the contract and transfer talk unsettled him to the point where he was, well, poor. Because of that the transfer talk stopped and he seems to have bucked his ideas up, which can only be a good thing.
- A real plus for Blues was Nathan Redmond's cameo display for the last 15 minutes. He was stripped off at 3-1 and when Rochdale made it 3-2, I expected to see our care-free manager tell him to put his tracksuit back on so that we could send another defender on. He still brought him on though - fair play to McLeish for that. Once on, Redmond just ran at players and shot from anywhere within range. It was a really positive debut. He looked very skillful and confident and that must bode well. He's sixteen and has been compared to Aaron Lennon (not a bad comparison given his stature and appearance), and looks a decent prospect. I'm not one for saying "get him in the first team, make him captain, give him a four year deal on £120,000 a week" because he played well for 15 minutes against Rochdale, but hopefully he showed enough to suggest that he can start to be more and more involved in and around the first-team squad. It'd be nice to have a promising youngster starting to breakthrough.
- Finally, what to make of the two amigos? Well, I'm not sure. I really don't know what to make of Michel. I feel like I should like him - always looking for the ball in midfield, once on it he uses it well and he can pick a pass. Still though, it's not going to work, is it? Birmingham City can't really afford to carry a player like that in the side. He's a bit too much of a luxury when you see him play. I just can't see it happening, to be honest. I just don't think it works. I'm all for getting a little more quality into the side, but I think his game is too deficient in other areas for him to fit in without there being issues. He's not particularly quick or strong, he doesn't read the game too well defensively and at times he's too much of a passenger in the middle. As for Enric Valles, well, you can pretty much repeat what I've just said. Neat, tidy, likes to look for the ball and a decent player. Will he make it at Blues? For me, not a chance. We'll see, but I suspect that it may be a step too far for the two of them. I just can't see it happening.