England in Safe Hands

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Tired & Weary

Although he may not be a familiar name outside of such places as Barnsley, Oldham, Northampton and Birmingham, Dave Watson was last week invited by England manager Roy Hodgson to join the backroom staff for this summer’s 2012 European Championships.

Dave Watson, England CoachWatson will work alongside Liverpool and Tottenham legend Ray Clemence as goalkeeping coach after gaining a great amount of respect within the game amongst his peers.

But Watson’s career in football has not always been a happy one and the ex-Oakwell shot-stopper was forced to retire from playing at the age of 28.

Dave Watson was born in Barnsley on November 10 1973. He began his playing career at his home town club after coming through the Tykes youth system, making his debut in 1992.

Watson went on to make over 200 appearances for Barnsley, 178 of these in the league. He played in the Danny Wilson side that finished as runners-up in Division One in the 1996/97 season to win promotion to the Premier League and was the first team choice in goal during their one season stay in the top flight.

Barnsley Keeper Dave WatsonWatson suffered a knee injury during a second tier match against Norwich City in September 1998 and then spent more than two years vainly trying regain fitness before admitting defeat and retiring.

During his playing career Watson represented England in the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship, where the Young Lions finished third. He also picked up five caps for the England U-21’s.

Following retirement, Watson worked as goalkeeping coach for Northampton Town, Oldham Athletic, Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest as well as working with the England U-19 squad.

In January 2008, Watson replaced Nigel Spink as goalkeeping coach at Birmingham City and quickly became recognised as an excellent prospect in this position.

During this time he helped fine tune the careers of England goalkeepers Joe Hart, Ben Foster and U-21 keeper Jack Butland who has been placed on the standby list for the upcoming Euro’s.

This reputation encouraged newly installed England manager Roy Hodgson to invite Watson to join his backroom staff and travel to this summer’s European tournament.

I’m sure all Birmingham City fans would like to wish Dave Watson all the very best in his role with the England squad. Good luck Dave.


 

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Reward For Birmingham City Defender

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Tired & Weary

Birmingham City have triggered David Murphy’s contract extension which will keep the left-back at St Andrew’s for another two seasons.

Birmingham City Defender David MurphyThe Hartlepool born 28-year-old joined Birmingham City in 2008 and was in outstanding form last season after recovering from a broken knee cap which saw him miss the entire 2009/10 relegation campaign.

Other Blues’ players to be to be rewarded with extensions are striker Jake Jervis (one-year extension) and young centre-half Jack Deaman (six-months).

A crop of Birmingham City young guns have been awarded their first professional contracts. Midfielder Fisayo Adarabioyo has penned a two-year deal whilst Graham Hutchison (defender), Callum Reilly(midfielder) and Amari Bell (left-back) have all been offered one-year contracts. Mitch Hancox (full-back) has also been handed a six-month deal.

Following the expiration of their contracts, Caleb Folan, Ashley Sammons, Enric Valles, Cian Hughton and Luke Hubbins have all been allowed to leave the club.

Negotiation with out-of-contract pair Stephen Carr and Colin Doyle are still on-going.



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Birmingham City Boss Praised

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Tired & Weary

In the light of predictable speculation surrounding Chris Hughton’s future at St Andrew’s, two of Birmingham City’s big hitters have told of the manager’s calm and reasoned qualities that have gelled together a squad that performed well above expectations last season.

Birmingham Manager PraisedMarlon King and Curtis Davies have aired their views publically as the media continues to link Hughton with the vacant manager’s position at West Bromwich Albion despite no approach being made by Birmingham’s near neighbours.

“Of course we all want him to stay, 100 per cent,” 18-goal top-scorer Marlon King told the Birmingham Mail.

“His man management is brilliant. He works on your game, he is very hands on. He will pull you to the side and tell you what you need to work on. He gives you that quiet confidence. He is not a big shouter but he brings that calmness.

“He believes in doing your job on the pitch.

“He has done that throughout his managerial and coaching career – he did at Tottenham for a long time before Newcastle.

“I’m sure whether it’s here or anywhere else he goes he will continue to do that.”

Hughton managed to galvanise his squad throughout Birmingham City’s epic season that saw the St Andrew’s outfit play 62 matches in all.

In agreement with King, stand-in captain and Mr Consistent, Curtis Davies added: “He has been massive for us.

“He’s the one – talking about the togetherness – he’s the one who brings that.

“If you talk to a lad here who hasn’t played that many games and hasn’t been in the squad, he’d tell you the same.

“He is able to get everyone together and all pulling in the same direction.

“I think that’s a brilliant quality to have as a manager.

“If you are able to get the unhappy ones happy and on your side, you must be doing something right.”

“He is a brilliant manager, a brilliant man manager and I’m as gutted for him as much as we are for ourselves and the fans that we weren’t able to get promotion.”


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Hughton Hails Birmingham City Fans

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Tired & Weary

Chris Hughton has thanked the Birmingham City fans for their wonderful support this season and has admitted it has helped carry his team throughout Blues’ epic campaign.

Chris Hughton Thanks Birmingham City FansSpeaking to bcfc.com, Hughton voiced his appreciation for the supporters’ fantastic backing and admitted he’s loved every minute of working at Birmingham City FC.

“Come the next couple of days when the players have had an opportunity to reflect and spend some time with their families they’ll very much remember the night,” said the Birmingham manager.

“I can imagine people in European countries looking at the game as a second tier play-off and seeing the atmosphere and thinking it’s something to be involved in.

“In these tough economic times it’s very difficult to get a packed stadium. That’s not only here, that’s anywhere.

“They’ve also had more games than any other support to have to pay out for.

“They’ve been wonderful for us all season and the players are so pleased with that support and it has carried us a long way.

“The supporters have also been fantastic to me and I’ve also been very appreciative of that. I’ve loved every minute of working at this football club.”



 

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No Extra Pressure for Birmingham City FC

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Tired & Weary

Despite the perilous financial situation at Birmingham City FC, manager Chris Hughton does not believe his team are under any extra pressure to see off Blackpool tomorrow evening at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham City FCBy beating Ian Holloway’s Tangerines, Blues would be taking one step closer to the Premier League and the riches that that would reap.

Birmingham City’s financial woes have been well documented this season and although Hughton can clearly see the benefits of promotion, he feels the pressure is the same as in any other game.

“It’s not rocket science that there are financial benefits for any club that goes up to the Premier League,” Hughton told the Birmingham Mail.

“That’s the case for us but also the case for a host of teams in this division who were ex-Premier League teams who have now found themselves in the Championship.

“The only pressure I feel is the normal pressures of going into a game, of winning a game, and being so close.

“When you are in the top six the pressure is to stay in it. When you’re in the play-offs, the pressure is to win them.

“If you are able to get to the final, the pressure is to win that final.

“I don’t feel any financial burden or pressures like that.

“I just feel a pressure to win football matches because we have got a team of professionals – I am a professional myself – and you want to achieve, do the best job you can.”



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