Monday 27 October 2014

How do you follow a 0-8 win?

Thankfully that is the task of Eddie Howe and his players are faced with, after a history-making day at St Andrew's. Eddie Howe, ever the gentleman was very graceful in showing tremendous respect for Malcolm Crosby and Richard Beale, who had looked after the managerless Birmingham side during a dramatic day that saw AFCB notch up an impressive eight goals without reply. It is never nice to be beaten, but to be so well beaten is difficult for anyone to take. Howe had already stressed how sad he felt that so many managers have already lost their jobs in the Championship this season, and he knows very well what it is like to be on the end of a hammering. Still, he had to be pleased with the way AFCB had shown a ruthless side to their game that has taken them up to fourth in the league.
Hopefully Eddie can guide the team to another win against WBA.
'Focus' is a word that Howe will probably use now to keep players' thoughts well grounded. At the end of the day even an 8-0 win only gets you three points, much the same as a 1-0 win. But the atmosphere and confidence around the players must be through the stratosphere at the moment. That is why I am really pleased that their next game is against West Borm - a Premier League side. The knowledge that a much harder game is coming will hopefully make everyone realise that there is still work to be done, and that to dwell on Saturday's result for too long would not be helpful. Eddie Howe has often said that we don't get too down when we lose and don't celebrate too much when we win. It's all about keeping a level head.

I am sure the players and staff will be allowed to have some celebrations though as a record league win is exactly that and does not come along every day. The game was mainly played out though against 10 men and Birmingham have had a poor run of results at home before the trouncing by AFCB. Putting things into perspective, it was a good away win with a clean sheet. The winning run of course is still going and the push up the table will really get AFCB noticed now. That brings fresh pressures and demands on the players. Earlier in the season the team did lead the league for two games and that experience should help them prepare for that challenge again if they can catch Derby, Watford and Wolves.

Knowing how well Eddie Howe assesses the opposition and situations, I am sure that he will know exactly how to get the best out of the players for the next game. Being over confident is something that he won't accept and the hard work ethic of the players is sure to be continued. Will that be enough to beat WBA in the Capital One Cup and take a stonger grip on the Championship? We can't wait to see.     

I have written some pre-match answers for the Albion Till We Die blog which you can see up on their site now ahead of Tuesday's game.

1 comment:

  1. This was a long time coming, and I think we've all seen us playing away brillliantly (take Huddersfield on first game 0 - 4 (should have been 5)) I am not sure i will see AFCB play so well again. I did feel for BCFC fans though, they have been let down by their ownership, they are leaderless and rudderless. That does not take away from a great team effort, shame we now have 2 players suspended but I know we have the squad to cope with it.

    Postscript - BBC WM - BCFC supporter comes on in a shock. I could have taken this from Man U, but 0 8 from Bournemouth, who are they, they've no history, BBC WM guy, but Bournmeouth are a good side, so he says again but Bournemouth. I did feel for the supporter he was clearly dismayed and in shock.

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