Game Day 3 - Birmingham Away

Set up to Birmingham at lunchtime for the 5.30pm kick off.  Put the wrong Coventry Rd into the sat nav but at least it was only 8 miles from the right one!

Caught the bus to the ground incognito. No team colours showing and heads down. Bus dropped us right outside the away fans gate.  Starving so had humongous burgers and sausage on a roll for Ben. Worlds friendliest steward shook Ben's hand, gave Carole a kiss and wished us merry xmas.  Great seats in the lower in the corner nearest the home fans. They choose to sit there to get stuck into us (verbally that is) though if it wasn't for barriers and stewards and lots of old bill then I'm sure a few hard cases would have at it.  Certainly at full time it was very confrontational between a pocket of theirs and a pocket of ours. But like a dog straining to get off a leash they may just be all show knowing they can't get through anyway. 

First half we were very good and should have had more than our 1 goal lead. Some poor decisions, one in particular of a handball in the box and no penalty given cost us.  Cole took his goal well..away fans leapt straight into "who are ya, who are ya". 

2nd half was not so good and it was clear we were struggling to hang on.  Meant the action in both halves was up our end. Of course when they equalised we got it in the neck from their fans. 

The result wasn't that bad given our injury and suspension woes but it hurts to be leading and see the extra 2 points evaporate. Worse still were the yellow cards that mean suspensions for several key players due to accumulated points. We might struggle to put a team out against Derby on Saturday!

Managed to slip across the police line from away fans to home fans without incident and we were soon walking amongst their lot looking for a bus.  Got a cab in the end with a friendly cabbie. 

Pub next to the travelodge was shut so that was that. 

So 3 games for a loss a win and a draw. Have maintained 2nd but our margin down to 3rd has disappeared. 

Team	P	Pts	Goals Diff	Goal Scored	Current Score
Southampton	23	47	23	47
West Ham	23	44	17	38
Middlesbrough	23	44	10	29
Cardiff	23	39	11	37
Hull	23	39	3	26
Reading	23	36	8	30