' That Birmingham City Team Today/Compared to Cardiff City '

When you look at the 18 players in that Birmingham City squad today would it surprise anyone that it included only 2 players (Caddis & Davies) that actually cost a fee, approx £350k in total, with the rest being either free transfers or players produced by thier academy.

In comparison or squad cost a few quid more;

Marshall £500k
Brayford £1.5m
Morrison £3m
Turner £750k
Connolly £500k
Noone £1m
Pilkington £1m
Whittingham £325k
Gunnarsonn Free
Le Fondre £2m
Macheda Free
Moore £250k
Kim £3m
Fabio £300k
Adeyemi £1m
Ralls Free
Maynard £2.5m
Gabbidon Free

So a team costing a total of £350k ended up outplaying a team which cost over £17m.

Any honeymoon period for RS is well and truely over for me when our team are outplayed by a bunch of academy players and free transfers.

Talk about deja vu but today reminded me of the worst aspects of the DJ era when the one and only plan either worked or it didn't and there was little or no evidence of being able to influence things by substitutions.

In fairness to DJ of course he NEVER had such an expensive squad available to him, it does beg the question - Does Russell Slade have the skills to use our squad effectively.

When you look at the 18 players in that Birmingham City squad today would it surprise anyone that it included only 2 players (Caddis & Davies) that actually cost a fee, approx £350k in total, with the rest being either free transfers or players produced by thier academy.

In comparison or squad cost a few quid more;

Marshall £500k
Brayford £1.5m
Morrison £3m
Turner £750k
Connolly £500k
Noone £1m
Pilkington £1m
Whittingham £325k
Gunnarsonn Free
Le Fondre £2m
Macheda Free
Moore £250k
Kim £3m
Fabio £300k
Adeyemi £1m
Ralls Free
Maynard £2.5m
Gabbidon Free

So a team costing a total of £350k ended up outplaying a team which cost over £17m.

Any honeymoon period for RS is well and truely over for me when our team are outplayed by a bunch of academy players and free transfers.

Talk about deja vu but today reminded me of the worst aspects of the DJ era when the one and only plan either worked or it didn't and there was little or no evidence of being able to influence things by substitutions.

In fairness to DJ of course he NEVER had such an expensive squad available to him, it does beg the question - Does Russell Slade have the skills to use our squad effectively.

did you watch the game ? Birmingham didn't out play us !

When you look at the 18 players in that Birmingham City squad today would it surprise anyone that it included only 2 players (Caddis & Davies) that actually cost a fee, approx £350k in total, with the rest being either free transfers or players produced by thier academy.

In comparison or squad cost a few quid more;

Marshall £500k
Brayford £1.5m
Morrison £3m
Turner £750k
Connolly £500k
Noone £1m
Pilkington £1m
Whittingham £325k
Gunnarsonn Free
Le Fondre £2m
Macheda Free
Moore £250k
Kim £3m
Fabio £300k
Adeyemi £1m
Ralls Free
Maynard £2.5m
Gabbidon Free

So a team costing a total of £350k ended up outplaying a team which cost over £17m.

Any honeymoon period for RS is well and truely over for me when our team are outplayed by a bunch of academy players and free transfers.

Talk about deja vu but today reminded me of the worst aspects of the DJ era when the one and only plan either worked or it didn't and there was little or no evidence of being able to influence things by substitutions.

In fairness to DJ of course he NEVER had such an expensive squad available to him, it does beg the question - Does Russell Slade have the skills to use our squad effectively.

did you watch the game ? Birmingham didn't out play us !

We were outplayed in that 2nd half when Birmingham made 2 subs in the 53rd minute. after that they managed 8 attempts on goal to our 3. So yes in my book that is being outplayed.

When you look at the 18 players in that Birmingham City squad today would it surprise anyone that it included only 2 players (Caddis & Davies) that actually cost a fee, approx £350k in total, with the rest being either free transfers or players produced by thier academy.

In comparison or squad cost a few quid more;

Marshall £500k
Brayford £1.5m
Morrison £3m
Turner £750k
Connolly £500k
Noone £1m
Pilkington £1m
Whittingham £325k
Gunnarsonn Free
Le Fondre £2m
Macheda Free
Moore £250k
Kim £3m
Fabio £300k
Adeyemi £1m
Ralls Free
Maynard £2.5m
Gabbidon Free

So a team costing a total of £350k ended up outplaying a team which cost over £17m.

Any honeymoon period for RS is well and truely over for me when our team are outplayed by a bunch of academy players and free transfers.

Talk about deja vu but today reminded me of the worst aspects of the DJ era when the one and only plan either worked or it didn't and there was little or no evidence of being able to influence things by substitutions.

In fairness to DJ of course he NEVER had such an expensive squad available to him, it does beg the question - Does Russell Slade have the skills to use our squad effectively.

did you watch the game ? Birmingham didn't out play us !

We were outplayed in that 2nd half when Birmingham made 2 subs in the 53rd minute. after that they managed 8 attempts on goal to our 3. So yes in my book that is being outplayed.

mmm what happened to 1st half did we play one?? and did game start on 53mins??

No way we were out played today look even to me

When you look at the 18 players in that Birmingham City squad today would it surprise anyone that it included only 2 players (Caddis & Davies) that actually cost a fee, approx £350k in total, with the rest being either free transfers or players produced by thier academy.

In comparison or squad cost a few quid more;

Marshall £500k
Brayford £1.5m
Morrison £3m
Turner £750k
Connolly £500k
Noone £1m
Pilkington £1m
Whittingham £325k
Gunnarsonn Free
Le Fondre £2m
Macheda Free
Moore £250k
Kim £3m
Fabio £300k
Adeyemi £1m
Ralls Free
Maynard £2.5m
Gabbidon Free

So a team costing a total of £350k ended up outplaying a team which cost over £17m.

Any honeymoon period for RS is well and truely over for me when our team are outplayed by a bunch of academy players and free transfers.

Talk about deja vu but today reminded me of the worst aspects of the DJ era when the one and only plan either worked or it didn't and there was little or no evidence of being able to influence things by substitutions.

In fairness to DJ of course he NEVER had such an expensive squad available to him, it does beg the question - Does Russell Slade have the skills to use our squad effectively.

did you watch the game ? Birmingham didn't out play us !

We were outplayed in that 2nd half when Birmingham made 2 subs in the 53rd minute. after that they managed 8 attempts on goal to our 3. So yes in my book that is being outplayed.

mmm what happened to 1st half did we play one?? and did game start on 53mins??

Of course we did and yes we had the better of that half but we were playing a team which cost about 2% of our team and yet again we have failed to maintain that performance and could have ended up losing that game.

We have now failed to score in our last 4 away games, Blackpool, Millwall, Bolton and Birmingham and RS has been in charge of the team for 3 of those games, in reality he was in charge for the Blackpool game as well. We all know the position those 4 clubs are in the League so do you think RS is getting the best out of our squad

No way we were out played today look even to me

Look it's all about opinions and mine is that we were. But given the cost of each team are you happy to be just even with Birmingham or 2nd best to Blackpool, Millwall and Bolton.

Do you think RS is getting the best out of our squad because those games I've mentioned were against clubs at the bottom of the League.

No way we were out played today look even to me

Wez i admire your loyalty but as I have said before it can make you blind.

That was s very weak team we played against and our stars showed no guts.

It's early days for Slade but no goals in four away games against some of the worst teams is exceptionally poor. The comparative cost of the two squads is shocking. However home form is excellent and I'm not making any judgements until Easter.

No way we were out played today look even to me

Wez i admire your loyalty but as I have said before it can make you blind.

That was s very weak team we played against and our stars showed no guts.

Birmingham are a very weak team no one can doubt that Ian but I'm getting really concerned with RS because even with our squad he had only 1 forward on the bench against that team.

Absolutely crazy in my opinion and begs the question does RS have the guts to take the game to these clubs at the bottom of the table.

One of the worst teams we have played all season.

Not only were we unable to win, we were unable to even score a goal.

Piss poor.

No way we were out played today look even to me

Wez i admire your loyalty but as I have said before it can make you blind.

That was s very weak team we played against and our stars showed no guts.

Birmingham are a very weak team no one can doubt that Ian but I'm getting really concerned with RS because even with our squad he had only 1 forward on the bench against that team.

Absolutely crazy in my opinion and begs the question does RS have the guts to take the game to these clubs at the bottom of the table.

Our team have not got guts and I don't thin Slade has either yet.

I just feel it is going to be a transition period where Slade will want his own players in before he has the guts to do anything.

No way we were out played today look even to me

Wez i admire your loyalty but as I have said before it can make you blind.

That was s very weak team we played against and our stars showed no guts.

Birmingham are a very weak team no one can doubt that Ian but I'm getting really concerned with RS because even with our squad he had only 1 forward on the bench against that team.

Absolutely crazy in my opinion and begs the question does RS have the guts to take the game to these clubs at the bottom of the table.

Our team have not got guts and I don't thin Slade has either yet.

I just feel it is going to be a transition period where Slade will want his own players in before he has the guts to do anything.

I think you're right.

Lets play the "Guess which Orient players will be coming in in January" game.

No way we were out played today look even to me

Wez i admire your loyalty but as I have said before it can make you blind.

That was s very weak team we played against and our stars showed no guts.

So weak beat Watford last game!!!

When you look at the 18 players in that Birmingham City squad today would it surprise anyone that it included only 2 players (Caddis & Davies) that actually cost a fee, approx £350k in total, with the rest being either free transfers or players produced by thier academy.

In comparison or squad cost a few quid more;

Marshall £500k
Brayford £1.5m
Morrison £3m
Turner £750k
Connolly £500k
Noone £1m
Pilkington £1m
Whittingham £325k
Gunnarsonn Free
Le Fondre £2m
Macheda Free
Moore £250k
Kim £3m
Fabio £300k
Adeyemi £1m
Ralls Free
Maynard £2.5m
Gabbidon Free

So a team costing a total of £350k ended up outplaying a team which cost over £17m.

Any honeymoon period for RS is well and truely over for me when our team are outplayed by a bunch of academy players and free transfers.

Talk about deja vu but today reminded me of the worst aspects of the DJ era when the one and only plan either worked or it didn't and there was little or no evidence of being able to influence things by substitutions.

In fairness to DJ of course he NEVER had such an expensive squad available to him, it does beg the question - Does Russell Slade have the skills to use our squad effectively.

did you watch the game ? Birmingham didn't out play us !

We were outplayed in that 2nd half when Birmingham made 2 subs in the 53rd minute. after that they managed 8 attempts on goal to our 3. So yes in my book that is being outplayed.

Rubbish We had 49% possession and 14 attempts on goal to Brums 8, hardly outplayed

No way we were out played today look even to me

Wez i admire your loyalty but as I have said before it can make you blind.

That was s very weak team we played against and our stars showed no guts.

Birmingham are a very weak team no one can doubt that Ian but I'm getting really concerned with RS because even with our squad he had only 1 forward on the bench against that team.

Absolutely crazy in my opinion and begs the question does RS have the guts to take the game to these clubs at the bottom of the table.

Our team have not got guts and I don't thin Slade has either yet.

I just feel it is going to be a transition period where Slade will want his own players in before he has the guts to do anything.

Just watched RS post match interview where he says "The onus is on the home team to attack" , there in lies the problem in my opinion because despite the gulf in quality between the two squads RS mindset was closing the backdoor was more important than taking the game to a very weak Birmingham team.

To a point I can understand the Bolton defeat because thier squad on Tuesday had quality in it with 6 players costing £1m+ but Birmingham there is a reason they are in the bottom two. Decisions like dropping Fabio and only having 1 forward on the bench are clear signs of a very negative mindset in our manager.

Le Fondre looks like a player who couldn't score in a Hong Kong knocking shop and whilst he is working hard, which lets face it is an absolute given, he was bought to score goals and he isn't so he needs time sat on the bench. Give the other forwards a chance as yesterday it would only have taken one goal to come home with the points.

So Gary, Have we once again wasted Millions? or can a good manager get this team to perform?

When you look at the 18 players in that Birmingham City squad today would it surprise anyone that it included only 2 players (Caddis & Davies) that actually cost a fee, approx £350k in total, with the rest being either free transfers or players produced by thier academy.

In comparison or squad cost a few quid more;

Marshall £500k
Brayford £1.5m
Morrison £3m
Turner £750k
Connolly £500k
Noone £1m
Pilkington £1m
Whittingham £325k
Gunnarsonn Free
Le Fondre £2m
Macheda Free
Moore £250k
Kim £3m
Fabio £300k
Adeyemi £1m
Ralls Free
Maynard £2.5m
Gabbidon Free

So a team costing a total of £350k ended up outplaying a team which cost over £17m.

Any honeymoon period for RS is well and truely over for me when our team are outplayed by a bunch of academy players and free transfers.

Talk about deja vu but today reminded me of the worst aspects of the DJ era when the one and only plan either worked or it didn't and there was little or no evidence of being able to influence things by substitutions.

In fairness to DJ of course he NEVER had such an expensive squad available to him, it does beg the question - Does Russell Slade have the skills to use our squad effectively.

Firstly, we wasn't outplayed.

Secondly, it's not Slade fault Ole has wasted countless millions assembling this squad. A players transfer valuation doesn't automatically mean he's better than an academy player. Ole has unnecessarily spent millions bringing in the wrong type of players.

Thirdly, how you can say Slade's honeymoon period is over is bemusing as Slade hasn't had a pre-season and hasn't had a transfer window to bring his own players in. Slade's got a 100% winning record at home and is learning more about his players every away game. A point and clean sheet at Birmingham is a step in the right direction considering they're a completely different proposition now since Gary Rowett took over, as top of the league at the time Watford found out last Tuesday.

You're being very, very unreasonable with your post. 10 points out of 18 considering the mess Ole left us in is a more than decent enough start by Slade. You're a brilliant poster so I'm very surprised with your unneccesary criticism. I thought a guy of your intelligence would know not to expect instant miracles. It's going to take a while for Slade to turn Ole's mess around. The sooner people realise this, the better.

Slade can't bring us success until the transfer window comes and the right players are brought in. No matter how many millions we've spent or how much more expensive our squad was to Birmingham's to assemble, it doesn't make any difference. The reason it doesn't make any difference is because our current squad, no matter how talented they're supposedly are, doesn't have what it takes to succeed in the Championship. This is because our current squad, lack key things. Those things are MENTAL STRENGTH and CHARACTER.