Watto’s Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Birmingham City

The most important match in the Premiership takes place at Bolton on Sunday as Blues battle for that coveted 9th place. The difference between first and second, third and fourth and ninth and tenth is £750,000. That would pay a half decent striker for about six months so.

How different to three years ago where we finished the season at Bolton already relegated and several players refused to play. That was another one of Steve Bruce’s legacy that has been forgotten. There is great joy at Blues finishing spot whether it is ninth or tenth. There is even greater joy that both Steve’s teams have finished well below us. The Sunderland team has had the luxury of a 20+ goal scorer in Darren Bent yet they trail in our wake. Where would Blues have ended up with a striker with that sort of return? With 50 points from only 37 goals Blues could have expected about 25 points with 20 goals added to the ledger. That would put us 3rd!

If you have been following my match marks you may be wondering who was the man of the season based on the marks awarded. As the marks only covered about 30 games the award goes to the player who averaged the most points per game. That went to Joe Hart who narrowly pipped Barry Ferguson into second place. I must admit that were I looking at the season as a whole my Man of the season would be Barry especially as he is actually our player.

Barry has churned out passes at the rate of about 70 per game and has the ability to receive the ball in any situation and is rarely caught in possession. He must have the respect of his teammates as he appears to harangue them whenever they fail to utilise the passes or return the ball to him. They don’t seem to mind the intensity that Barry brings to the side.

While Joe Hart has done wonders for us and saved a number of points Barry has influenced the side in subtle ways. The team is a better passing team all round and Barry is always available to receive the ball all over the field. Sometimes he just concentrates on keeping possession which in turn denies the opposition the chance to attack us. I hope that he does make the Scotland team again even if it’s only a gesture to say sorry to the team and the fans.

There are a number of players who have had great seasons and deserve recognition. Steve Carr will return after his punishment for reminding the Vile fans of their short comings. He has been brilliant in all but a few games. Roger Johnson is an ever present in the League and was outstanding before Christmas. Maybe he lapsed a little in the New Year but has come back to his dominating best.

Scot Dann will end the season as he started it, injured, but between has become a top class defender. Maybe this World cup has come too early for him but he is young and with similar progress will end up an International for sure.

A final word about old ‘iron legs’ Ridgewell who for two years showed no discernable pace, rarely passed the ball to any colleague and was as mobile as the GPO tower. Now he is a quality defender, indeed a utility player, proficient in two positions and pops up with a goal, and can find a man with a pass.

On the bench on Sunday is likely to be Jordon Mutch and Lee Carsley. What a contrast as Mutch is starting out on a Premiership career while Lee’s comes to a close. Although only two seasons long Lee Blues career will be remembered as highly significant in Blues’ march forward. Jordon is half Lee’s age and hopefully be part of the progress for many years to come.

Thanks ‘Carse’ and good luck.

By Alan Watton

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